Interview with Multi-Published Author, Janice Hanna Thompson

Janice Hanna Thompson
I just finished reading Janice Hanna Thompson's new book, Writing and Selling the Great American Novel and I have to say I was both surprised and inspired. You see, I know Janice as a crack-you-up fiction writer. I laughed all the way through her Weddings by Bella series. Janice's tag line is "Love, Laughter & Happily Ever Afters, so I was surprised that she wrote a book on writing novels...surprise, but tickled pink!

Who better to write a book on becoming a novelist than someone who has published over 100 books?

I'm thrilled to post this interview with Janice because it gives us a chance to get to know her better.


Janice, I understand you’re about to debut a brand new book for novelists. Why veer from your usual comedic writing to put together a book for writers?
Because I love writers! I’ve always had a heart for novelists and want to do every thing I can to help and encourage them, whether they’re penning that first story or fifty-first. This book has information that should be helpful to pros and novices, alike. I’ve noticed a trend in recent years. Incoming writers approach me, one after the other, asking the same questions and struggling with the same problems. I’ve worn myself out giving the same answers. There are only so many times and ways you can say, “You’re head-hopping, honey!” Because of that, I decided it would be easier to compile the information into a writing text, which I’ve titled Writing and Selling the Great American Novel. I can’t wait to see what novelists think of this exciting new book.

Can you tell us a little about your background as a novelist?
Every writer hopes to write “The Great American Novel.” I started writing novels as a child, so the desire to craft “story” has always been inside of me. In the mid ‘90s I started writing with the desire to be published. After years of trial and error, my first novel hit the shelves in 2000. Since then, I’ve published nearly 100 books (about 2/3 of which are novels in a variety of genres). I’ve had a blast and will continue penning novels as long as there’s breath in me.

You’ve titled the book Writing and Selling the Great American Novel. Can you share a little more about that?
I wrestled with the title for a couple of days, wanting to get it right. In the end, I came to this decision: Writers want TWO things. First, they want to know how to WRITE their novel. The first half of the book is completely dedicated to this process and includes every single thing a novelist (established or beginning) will need to write the best possible story. The second half of the book is dedicated to SELLING the novel and includes helpful information on pitching, marketing, working with an editor/agent, and even offers a comprehensive look at self-publishing to e-Book form. To check out the books full Table of Contents, go here.

You’ve started with a chapter on understanding the genres. Why is that?
I’ve published in multiple genres. My first book was a suspense-thriller. I’ve since written historicals, contemporaries, children’s, young adult, romances, mysteries and much, much more. Because I’ve been able to successfully cross genre lines, I feel qualified to teach on the subject. Before writers can establish themselves as novelists, they must develop an understanding of the fiction genres/categories. Choosing the best genre (or genres) is critical to your success. But with so many categories to choose from, how do you know which is your best fit? This chapter will give writers a thorough introduction to genre writing and will provide them with the necessary information to choose the one(s) best suited to their literary style and voice. 

I see you’ve included a lesson on plotting. Is this based on your “Plot Shots” teaching, which you’ve offered at conferences?
Yes! I’m so tickled to finally be able to offer this teaching in a book format. I’ve become known as “that Plot Shots lady.” That’s okay. I can live with that. I’m a firm believer in laying out a great plotline. Why? Because every story needs a beginning, middle and end. Careful plotting will lead the reader on a satisfactory, realistic journey through each of those stages, creatively weaving in and out, up and down.  The "Plot Shots" method gives writers the tools they need to plot their novel in twelve easy snapshots. It’s a fun and easy approach to plotting that won’t confuse or complicate the story.

Characterization is such an important component of fiction writing. Can you tell us more about your characterization chapter?
Years ago I developed a teaching that I call “Pandora’s Box.” It’s a layered approach to characterization, which uses the illustration of multiple boxes, one inside the other. In this lesson, I lay out the need for great characterization, then present the Pandora’s Box method. After presenting the method, I take the student through the process four times, using four fictional characters as a foundation. (Each character has a different personality, so the student learns how to apply the technique to the various personalities.)

So many writers struggle with P.O.V. (point of view). Is that why you included a chapter on that very tough subject?
Point of View (P.O.V.) is a critical fiction component. Employing to your best advantage is tough. Most of the young writers I know struggle in this area. The head-hop. Oh, they don’t mean to. . .but they do! My detailed teaching on Point of View offers novelists a thorough teaching on the various P.O.V.s (omniscient, third person, second person, first person), and gives specific examples and tips so that writers can become P.O.V. purists. 

What is passive writing? Why have you included a chapter about it?
Many of the manuscripts I edit are written in passive voice. They’re loaded with passive verbs and include huge sections of “telling.” The author “information dumps,” which stops the flow of the story. Knowing the difference between active voice and passive voice is key to writing a great novel. Conquering the art of "showing" instead of "telling" will give writers an added advantage. This detailed lesson--filled with nuggets of wisdom from published authors--will give writers the tools they need to strengthen their stories and pull them into active voice. 

Ack! Backstory! It’s so tough to add to our novels. Is that why you included a lesson on the subject?
Backstory. We all struggle with it, don’t we? In so many ways, it's critical to our story. After all, the reader needs to know where our primary character has come from--what she's been through--why she acts like she does. So, do you add the backstory or not? If so, can you do so without resorting to author intrusion? And where will you place it? At the beginning of the story? Elsewhere? Will it come out in lumps or snippets? This lesson offers students an intense look at backstory and includes tips for interjecting it without stopping the action. 

Many writers struggle with finding their “voice.” Can you tell us more about that?
A writer’s “voice” is her/her “stamp.” It’s the author’s “personality on the page.” And many young writers haven’t “found their voice” yet. This lesson delves into the topic, in detail, giving perspective on this very personal issue. The lesson (titled “Themes, Style and Voice”) also covers the various themes found in popular books, as well as style components.

Can you tell us some of the top fiction mistakes?
Sure! After editing hundreds of manuscripts, I can point out some of the “top” fiction mistakes: Lack of a good hook. P.O.V. issues. Passive writing. Weak characterization. Poor plotting (no “belly of the whale” scene). Overuse of adverbs. On and on the list goes. Many writers simply don’t realize they’re making these mistakes until someone points them out. They wonder why the book keeps getting rejected. This lesson offers writers a thorough list, detailing the top twenty mistakes novelists make.

Why did you decide to add a lesson on humor writing?
I’ve been writing comedies for years and have learned so much along the way. Humor writing is tough stuff! Some writers are born with an overactive funny bone. Others have to work hard to be funny. (Ironic, isn't it?!) If you're interested in adding a little har-de-har-har-har to your novel, then you will enjoy this light-hearted lesson.

The second half of the book is devoted to pitching and promoting the book, as well as working with editors/agents, etc. Why include all of this information?
I included this information because the average novelist needs a wake-up call. We writers are solitary souls. We sit in front of our computers and lose ourselves in our stories. Then comes the time to pitch that story to an editor. We freeze. Courage eludes us. We need to proper tools to get the book through the publisher’s door and the second half of Writing and Selling the Great American Novel offers that. . .and more!

Speaking of getting a book through a publisher’s door: Putting together a book proposal is tough! What have you learned over the years?
Book deals are won or lost based on the proposal. If you've got a completed manuscript and you're ready to pitch it to an agent or editor, then this exciting lesson on query letters and book proposals will point you in the right direction, giving you all the confidence you need to submit, submit, submit! Novelists who use the information provided in this chapter can compose polished query letters and dazzling book proposals, sure to impress both editors and agents, alike.

You’ve included a section on marketing and promotion. Can you share a little about that process here?
Sure! I love marketing my books and enjoy teaching other novelists how to promote their books, as well. This section of the book is absolutely loaded with practical ideas for getting the word out about your book once it’s published. I’ve included tips related to social media, public speaking, and much more. Whether you’re working with the marketing team at your publishing house or promoting a self-published novel, you will get the tools you need to spread the word.

They will find it on amazon for the next ninety days. From September 13th – 16th (the dates of the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference) the book will sell for $3.99. On the morning of the 17th the price will jump to its “forever” price of $8.99, a real bargain for such a comprehensive text.

Where can people find you on the web?
Twitter: booksbyjanice

Thanks so much for joining us, Janice. Can I ask you to leave more information about your writing courses?
They can learn more at www.freelancewritingcourses.com. On that site, they will also find my “Becoming a Successful Freelance Writer” course, which many students have already taken. Folks can learn more about that one by clicking on this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-5IZSNaZFU. I offered a free webinar on the subject some time ago, and it can be found here: http://www.freelancewritingcourses.com/?s=webinar. We’ll be adding to the course list periodically, so stay tuned for more announcements!


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Writing and Selling the Great American Novel by Janice Thompson

Just finished reading Janice Thompson’s newest book, Writing and Selling the Great American Novel, and I have a confession to make.

I’ve been working on my first novel for…well…way too long. At first the words spilled onto the page as fast as my fingers could fly across the keyboard, but then I started reading a lot of books on how to write a novel and discovered I was doing things all wrong. Of course, which mistakes I was making depended on which book I was reading at the time. There was so much conflicting information that my head was spinning.

  • Plot – don’t plot, just write
  • Edit as you go – lock your inner editor in a closet 
  • Old school dialogue – use beats with your dialogue 
  • Read what you want to write – don’t copy others 
You get the idea.

The more I read up on the craft of writing, the slower the words came, until I found myself sitting at the computer, fingers frozen over the keyboard…unable to write a single word.

I quit reading those books and I quit trying to write that novel…until today.

By the time I read the last page of Janice Thompson’s book, I was ready to open up that unfinished manuscript and start telling my story again. I feel inspired by the simple step-by-step process that Janice walked me through. I now feel equipped to…
  • Develop a story
  • Plan it out
  • Write the first draft without restraint 
  • Edit, tweak, polish and spit-shine my manuscript 
  • Write a query letter 
  • Write a proposal 
  • Find an agent & editor 
  • Build my personal brand 
  • Develop a team of supporters 
  • Promote and Market both myself and my book 
  • Pick up my dream of being a novelist again! 
Multi-published author, Janice Thompson
Author of over 100 books
shares her easy-to-understand insights
into becoming a novelist.
Why was this book different than all the others I'd read? Because it's simplified, but informative. Janice not only helped me to understand the whole process of becoming a novelist in a way that didn't intimidate me in the slightest. On the contrary, I feel empowered and confident that I will not only finish my novel, but I'll see it in print!

If you've ever thought of writing a novel or ever felt confused about the process, then this is the book for you. It's due to launch this week and I’ll let you in on a little secret.  

Right now it's listed on Amazon for $8.99 (a great price for all this info), but for just 3 days, you can pick up your copy of Writing and Selling the Great American Novel for just $3.99 (September 13th -15th), then it goes up to its regular price of $8.99.

(Shhhh – don’t tell Janice I let the cat out of the bag, but make sure you grab your copy while it's on sale!)


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Just Discovered my Writing Personality

Just read a great article by K.M. Weiland titled, What's Your Writing Personality?  It's based on the “four temperaments” approach (popularized by Tim LaHaye).

After reading it, I not only recognized my writing personality (Sanguine); I've realized why I start books with a bang and then burn out around chapter 6 or 7.

Of course, knowing that it's just my personality won't get me over the hump.  As K.M. Weiland says in her article...
"Once you’ve identified your primary personality traits and figured out your strengths and weaknesses, you can move forward with a plan of action to help you take advantage of your good points and overcome your weaknesses—in life as well as writing!"
 So, armed with this knowledge, I'm going to lay out that plan of action she talked about and finish a novel...soon.

Thank you, K.M.Weiland!

Check out her article and discover your writing personality. As an added bonus, while you're there, you can sign up to receive K.M. Weiland's monthly e-letter and receive her free e-book Crafting Unforgettable Characters: A Hands-On Introduction to Bringing Your Characters to Life.

Cool, huh? I just snagged my copy!

Happy writing,
Jan
 

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You'll Love These Mixed Up Mail Order Bride Stories!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a mail order bride?  No? It's just me?

Well, okay - I admit it...the idea intrigues. Traveling half-way across country by train and/or stage coach to marry a man you've only know through a few letters.  That's crazy!  But it sure makes for good reading!


I just finished reading A Bride For All Seasons - a collection of four mail order bride stories with a twist. As if marrying someone based on what they said in letter isn't wild enough, these for couples are in for a big surprise when they learn that the publisher of The Hitching Post mail order bride catalog has altered their letters, holding back important information that are "deal breakers" when it comes to marriage!

I love how things worked out for each of them, though and the underlying message that even when we think that we've made a wrong turn in life, God still orders our steps and leads us down the path He has for us as long as we are trusting Him.

Mary Connealy is one of my favorite authors and the reason I bought this book, so I quickly jumped to the story written by her (the 4th in the book)- loved it and then went back and read the other three. They were all good, so now I have 3 new authors on my list of must reads.

Thank you, Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Debra Clopton and Mary Connealy for several hours of pure reading enjoyment!
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