Interview with Janet Beasley

Short BIO:

You should know me by now, I’m an epic novelist – so “short” isn’t in my vocabulary when it comes to writing. LOL!!  So please feel free to cut, copy, paste…whatever keeps it interesting for you and your readers. 😉

I’m certainly keeping the comment to allow readers to see the humour that bubbles up from our guest.

 

BIO for Janet Beasley:

I’m Janet Beasley. Epic Fantasy Novelist and Scenic Nature Photographer. 

     According to my friends and family, I’m outgoing, fun, very creative and always try to look on the sunny side of life. Now granted, some of these folks haven’t had the opportunity to catch me on a bad day. You know, like in my writer’s den, when I’m birthing ideas and trying to write them down as fast as they come to me! It gets a little hair raising and the dog looks at me with that “look” where they tilt their head and just stare at you like you’re crazy at the moment…which you are…but you don’t let them know that! 

     I’m an animal lover, with dogs being number one on my list. I love to travel. Discovering new places and meeting new people from other lands is always a thrill. My husband and I have always enjoyed the outdoors. We kayak as often as possible, go hiking…and of course never without my camera! 

     I was born and raised in Beavercreek, Ohio. It was a typical Midwestern childhood, where mom stayed home and dad went to work. My grandparents lived with us – or we lived with them, I’m not sure how that was, I just know we were all together in one big house. 

     I turned six and started to school – and actually couldn’t stand it. It was scary. Plus I wasn’t interested in learning what they had to say, I had other things I wanted to learn about…like what land I could be princess of when I got home. I started my stage career when I was five, wearing a lion costume, singing and dancing to Animal Crackers in My Soup – at least I thought I was singing, perhaps no one else saw it that way. 

I know that the cover for this book was created by the very talented Mr Daniel Carter and I know Janet would like this to be acknowledged which I’m only too happy to do. I was fortunate enough to be able to interview him recently and think him worthy of admiration.

Welcome to an interview with

Janet Beasley… Author of…  Maycly Volume 1

Maycly – Volume 1 in my Hidden Earth 6 Volume Series of epic fantasy novels. Maycly is currently out on submission, and I’m actively working on the other 5 simultaneously. 

A brief synopsis

 

  Maycly is an epic fantasy that takes you on the journey of Iona, a girl in her twenties on Earth, who “has it all” and “loses it all,” nearly giving up on life altogether.  She has never questioned her trust in SUL (Sorcerer of Unequivocal Leadership, Grand Wizard, Creator of the planets Earth and Maycly).  But when she develops multiple chronic illnesses, loses her wealth, and is forced to deal with the mysterious disappearance of her last three living family members, she chooses to believe that SUL no longer exists.  Refusing to ask SUL for guidance, Iona is determined to find her family on her own;  however, SUL has other plans for her.  When a very special puppy shows up on her doorstep, things begin to change.  The story explodes, taking you to the captivating world of Maycly 100 years prior, setting the stage for Iona’s hopeful arrival.  The novel is full of twists and turns, monumental battles, and illustrations of never before seen flora and fauna.  Tag along with Iona and her band of newfound friends as she discovers her destiny, faces a myriad of dangers, and continues searching for her family, all while attempting to thwart Evil and restore Good to Maycly.  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, maybe even say “aww.” But best of all, no matter your age, you’ll find characters, Earthly and/or Mayclysian, with whom you can relate. 

What made you decide to write this book?

I was involved in theater, dance, choir, and band all throughout high school. I was the lead soprano for Once Upon a Mattress, and served as a chorus singer and dancer for Guys and Dolls. Both were an absolute blast! 

     I made tons of friends during those years, and I have to credit Facebook for putting us all back together. We call ourselves the Creek 79’ers and I want to make sure I say a HUGE hello to all of them who are taking the time to read. 

     My husband and I were childhood sweethearts. We dated for six years, then got married. We’ll be celebrating our 30 year anniversary this July. 

     We both have entrepreneurial spirits. We developed an audio visual company back in Nov. of ’98, and it’s still going strong. We offer design, installation, and training on a multitude of commercial audio visual systems. I don’t do any of the physical work any longer due to health restraints, but Don keeps it going strong along with his “day job.” We have been through four hurricanes, the business nearly went under, but we salvaged it. 

     I turned to baking and took over the family gourmet dog treat business (My grandmother’s secret recipe was handed down to me). I then expanded the business to include “People Treats” but life has a way of not sending out memos on some things. Several chronic illnesses have tried to get the best of me, but I’m not a quitter. I just had to take some time and consider where to channel my creativity. 

     It was then that a dear Creek 79’er reconnected with me on Facebook. He has part ownership in a publishing company. I told him about the epic novel I had started years ago, but had no idea how to write one. I’d written and been published in magazines that were trade specific, I had written self help books and stage plays…but never an epic fantasy novel. Long story short, when he and his editor read one of my chapters, they said the creativity was there, I just needed to hone my writing skills. 

     I put myself through a writing class at age 49 to better myself. This was great. I could have swore I heard the angels sing…you know, the golden light appears and you hear that choral singing “aaaaaaa!” Thanks to both of them, they have cheered me on to continue writing the novel. And here I am today – with my first epic fantasy novel complete and on submission for publishing.

 

Where did the title come from?

 

 The title is actually a “hidden” dedication to my mother, now suffering with diabetes and dementia. It is her email address. 🙂  I figured all those wonderful years she created a fantasy world in which to live my childhood and create great memories that I have of our family clear back to the age of 2 when I blew out the candles on my birthday pumpkin pie – I didn’t want cake, I wanted gramma’s pumpkin pie so mommy and gramma delivered! 😉  Ahhh – those farm ladies of yesteryear…they sure know how to cook! 

 

Do you always write in this genre?

 

Being that this is my first epic fantasy, the answer would be yes…and the fact that I’m working on another 5 stemming from this one I’d have to still say yes. 

 

What was your inspiration to write and when did you start?

 

One of my inspirations has been, and hope always will be, is my creativity. I started writing in my high school days. I’ve been published in trade magazines, won an award for my poetry, and have written stage plays…which is probably why in my writing class they kept telling me, when they’d critique my work, to STOP GIVING STAGE DIRECTIONS!  LOL!!!  I had to laugh at the irony! 🙂 

            Another inspiration is my sister, Dar Bagby. She has become my full time illustrator and proofreader. Her high kaphluttin’ English Language Specialist certification

           along with her masters in music brings about a sister team that we like to describe like this: Shakespear collided with Dr. Suess…but it worked! She was shocked to find

           out that I was actually writing a “candyland fantasy” and NOT an encyclopedic documentary! LOL!! Dar’s musical ability also allowed for us to include in the novel a

           couple of single-line musical scores such as the Maycly anthem.  

What was your destination to publishing? ie are you self published.

 

 Because of the size of this beast, I am not looking forward to self publishing unless that’s the only way to get the story out to my readers. I currently have Maycly out on submission and am “patiently(?)” awaiting a response.

            We will most likely be “self publishing” a wonderment of a companion book chocked full of Dar’s full color illustrations and the definitions/descriptions for the flora,

            fauna, and a few of the characters. We believed this would be a better route to take instead of trying to describe in detail about the creatures and plant life on Maycly

           within the novel itself. We thought is would be fun to have a deeper insight about many of these things as you read the novel. 

Do you have a website to share?

 

 I have several web presences – so pick your favorite and let’s get connected! 

On my URL along with my “scribblings” stuff – there is a page where folks are able to download some of my scenic nature photos for free. They can use them for book covers, church bulletins, business cards, brochures, websites, blogs, and more. I just ask that they please don’t sell them for personal gain.

 

URL: http://www.jlbcreatives.com

BLOG: http://jlbcreatives.blogspot.com

TWITTER:  http://twitter.com/JLBCreatives

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/janetbeasley

FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/JLBCreatives

Love A Happy Ending: http://loveahappyending.com

Any links to the book/books

Not yet – but I am a hopeful writer! 

 

Please feel free to share an exerpt.

       Bewildered, Iona cut loose again with her gift of chattering. “Let’s see…today I’ve seen a…a…gnome-like guy pop out of a cloud and leave a Dream Decanter on my nightstand. It spewed musical fog that my feet and legs are now dangling in causing my legs to heal. And let’s not forget the three-inch-long buzzing something…whose name, by the way, was apparently Jit? And he…she…I think it was a he…had a face like a human and wings like a dragonfly that he used to fly by my eyes leaving a trail of sparkles. Then he disappeared into the cloud with the little gnome guy…man…thing. I opened a magic letter signed by SUL, and now my birthmark is warm. Are you kidding me?” 

     She tried to put all of the recent events together. The poem on the card faded. It and the envelope burst into flames in her hand, making her jump. “Too weird. It didn’t burn me. Well, that was interesting.”

     She went silent, pondering to herself. “I will never see this place again.” Though it might have been guilt forcing these feelings, she wanted to believe she was truly thankful for the provisions she had received.

     “Yap! Yap! Yap! YOWLY-WOWEEE!”

     “Well, there’s another new noise from you. I guess you’re getting a little anxious? All I can say is, it’s a good thing you can’t talk because you’d chatter on more than me!” Iona calmed her small dog, Wiskee, with her touch. “OK. OK. I’m on it.”

     She brushed her hands together and resituated herself on the bed. She thought about her job—she was no longer going to be visiting those in need, and this troubled her.

     “I will see to it they are cared for.” Iona could not believe she was hearing what she thought was SUL’s audible voice again.

     She looked at Wiskee and whispered, “And we’ll never see our strange but lovable friend, Dumpster Man, again.” She had grown quite fond of him.

     With his nose, Wiskee pushed her hand toward the Dream Decanter, but she was still admiring the apartment. “Holy smokes! I can’t leave those!” She jumped from the bed and gathered the only remaining tangible memories of her family and put them safely in the waistband of her pajama bottoms.

     She sat back down on the bed and clutched Wiskee under her arm without thinking. He made the noises to let her know she was holding him a little too tight.

     “Oh, I’m sorry little buddy.” She loosened her grip.

     Saying goodbye to her home was all too familiar and unpleasant. Iona closed her eyes and silently beckoned. Please let this be true. Please, SUL, I want to trust You with all my heart, and believe that You will take me to my family. She reached for the Dream Decanter, never letting Wiskee out of her grasp, and did just as the poem had instructed.

     Window shades dropped with a whoosh and a thud. Iona freaked and spoke from the pitch dark, “I didn’t know we had window shades.” All of the outside noises ceased; the silence was spooky.

     Guarding Wiskee with her life, she crossed her legs underneath her and felt the bed begin slowly turning and moving upward through the darkness. She was afraid of hitting the ceiling but was also afraid to jump because she did not know how high they really were. She reached high above her head and felt nothing. “STAY PUT WISKEE!” She hated to let go of him, but was concerned at their height. Carefully she stood on the bed but could not feel anything above them; she knew she could reach the ceiling if she stood on the bed. Frightened she sat back down and immediately grabbed Wiskee. If we’re floating in space, where are the stars? Where’s the moon? What are we…suspended in time?

     With her next breath she gagged. “What is that awful smell. Ack! That certainly isn’t roses! This can’t be right.” She saw what she thought was a fireball heading toward them. It came up fast from below and just missed the bed on its rapid ascent. Iona screamed. The fireball fizzled out high above their heads like a dud firework. She tossed the Dream Decanter to her pillow and scooted to the center of the bed, not letting Wiskee out of her tight grasp. She felt him trembling.

     She had always longed for adventure, but this was not exactly the adventure she had pictured in her mind. Somberly Iona spoke into the darkness, “What have I done?” 

Janet is not just an excellent writer but she brings a sense of fun to her writing, her interviews and to life in general. Good luck Janey, I hope to see your book ( and the other 5 ) on the shelves soon. Thanks for sharing with us.

David