Author Janet Chester Bly stopped by my blog to do an interview with me today.
First question. What do you love most about writing?
Grace, thanks so much for inviting me to do this feature on your new blog. And congratulations on your book release of poems and devotions, Butterfly Wings.
As to the fun things about writing for me... I love receiving correspondence from fans. Also, it’s a delight to meet readers of our books in person. I got to do that recently when I was a guest author for a creative writing class at Sacajawea Middle School in Lewiston, Idaho. Some of the students as well as the teacher had read our children’s books.
I love that nothing in life is wasted for a writer. No matter what happens--good, bad, or messy--it’s potential material for a speaking or writing project. And I never get over the sense of accomplishment when a book projects finally completed. Seeing my name on the cover never gets old! Or on a royalty check!
What steps do you usually go through when it comes to writing and perfecting a story?
It's a bit different every time, depending on the project and life circumstances. However, the basic process begins with finding a topic, a theme, or any kernel of an idea. Then, I flush out some rough sentences or paragraphs as a brainstorming starter. At this point some kind of research will happen—looking for information and inspiration. This may include a road trip. In fact, travel for both my late husband and me always incited our best writing flow. I did a lot of hours of note taking while he drove umpteen miles down the highways and dirt off ramps of every western state. Perfecting first and second draft stories happened with editing, by each other, and professionals.
How did you become an author?
After my husband graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary and got called to serve as a pastor of a Presbyterian church in Woodlake, California, I got stirred up to discover what my own God-given ministry might be. That began a long journey of several years getting involved in a variety of church and community activities, as well as academic and cooking, sewing, crafting classes. While I enjoyed some of these pursuits, none seemed to zing as a prime spiritual gifting.
Then one day a friend handed me a brochure for a Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in Santa Cruz, California. I decided to go. What an exciting experience meeting writers, editors, publishers, and agents, and attending classes on the how-to of the writing profession. I went right home and pulled out the poetry I had written over the years. Then I wrote some more, including short, inspirational sidebars. I sent them out to magazines like they explained to do at the conference. And after some months, I received some acceptances.
But it wasn’t until I got husband Stephen interested in writing, too, that our full-fledged partnership developed, for our mutual benefit. That proved to be the key. He nurtured most of the ideas and they flowed all messy on his computer. I could edit him and me. We made a dynamic team.
Over the years, we influenced and enlarged one another’s gifts. I got more creative. He handed me cleaner manuscripts. And with the continuing aid of our contacts at the writer’s conference, we produced more than short stories and articles. The first book released in 1982, Radical Discipleship with Moody Press Publishing. In time, Stephen became best known as an award-winning western novelist. As of today—his, mine, and ours--we’ve published about 120 books, fiction and nonfiction for adults, teens, and kids (8-12 years old).
You can find out more about how I found God’s will for my life, and how you can too, in my book, Managing Your Restless Search/Finding Your Place of Service in God’s Plan. Available here: https://www.blybooks.com/books/serving-god/
With your newest book, Grace Spilling Over, what motivated you to write it?
Grace Spilling Over evolved from several resources. First, a desire of mine to answer the question, “Is God really good all the time?” when faced with the tragedies and evil that invade our lives and the world. And second, I began to collect numerous stories I heard at the churches, conferences, and retreats where I spoke or attended. I put the theme and the life events together.
In what way do you hope readers will be inspired by Grace Spilling Over?
This book reveals God’s tender mercies as people struggle to trust Him with many “Why?” concerns. They wonder at God’s delays to help them. No easy answers here. No flinching from facing life’s unfairness and cruelty. Yet hope and grace shine through as we see God prepares His children for what He knows lies ahead. My goal is for the reader to experience deep and abiding comfort in the goodness of their heavenly Father. Available here: https://www.blybooks.com/genre/inspirational-family-life/
Are you currently working on a book? If so, can you share a little bit about it?
My present project is an anthology of short stories, co-authored with fourteen other published authors who belong to a private online Christian fiction writers’ group. Each of us has been challenged to create a story of about 4,000 words or less around a piece of jewelry. The story can be set in any era with a choice of gem and genre. The prologue frame story will be about a contemporary jeweler who secretly hoards precious gems over the years. He plans to create a Christmas tree wall hanging of them with enough great value to establish his reputation alongside Tiffany and Fabergé. The stories tell the history of the pieces. And the search to fill a missing space.
I’ve completed a draft of my story, “Beneath a Turquoise Sky,” which is set in 1991. In it I use a couple characters from my latest cowgirl mystery romance series, The Trails of Reba Cahill. *My jewelry piece is a gold and turquoise squash blossom necklace. The working title of this book is The Jewel Project and has a late fall release date, in time for Christmas. All proceeds will go to a chosen ministry, to be determined.
*The Trails of Reba Cahill 3-book series available here: https://www.blybooks.com/genre/contemporary-fiction/
There are many great Bible verses and quotes out there, but which of these apply to your journey in life?
My life verse is Ephesians 2:10 and has been the guiding light for discovering what God made me to be and do: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Janet, have any closing thoughts, writing tips, or advice to share with us?
Whether you consider yourself a writer or not, everyone should record the highlights (and maybe lowlights) of your life, including as much history you know and remember about your family, as far back as possible. Even if it never goes further than a personal journal, those words will have value for someone.
Randomly Fun Questions:
What are some of your favorite hobbies?
I co-lead several different exercise classes for seniors and like playing around with silk flower arrangements for bouquets and wreaths.
Do you prefer tea or coffee?
I enjoy any flavor tea, but only drink low-fat or non-dairy lattes for coffee with occasional sugar-free flavoring.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
I get to bed about 12:00-1:00 a.m. and rise in time for morning exercise or Bible study class.
How can my readers best get in contact with you or follow you on social media?
Email: janet@blybooks.com
Website: www.BlyBooks.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/BlyBooks/
Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/janetchesterbly/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janetchesterbly/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlyBooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/janetcbly/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/269265.Janet_Chester_Bly
Thank you for doing this interview with me, Janet.
*Note* Click here to read my review of Janet's book, Grace Spilling Over.
Many blessings
- Grace Thorson
Very interesting and informative. Thanks
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the note!
DeleteThank you! It was fun to do with Janet!
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