Meet Janet Kay Jenson, Author of Waters of the Dancing Sky
What inspired you to become an author?
I think I was born to write! My lifelong dream, since I was 8 years old, has been to become an author. I've always loved to write, to create fictional worlds in which my characters live and learn important lessons in life. Hopefully, my readers will find something in the pages of my novels that will help them in their journeys through life. My need to create and to help others are driving forces behind my desire to write.
How did you come up with the idea for your book Waters of the Dancing Sky?
My muse? Seriously, it all began ten years ago. Bits and pieces of this novel began waking me at night, demanding that I get up and scribble these ideas down in the notebook I keep beside my bed. As time went on, my characters began coming to life. The plot was thickening.
Busy with the demands of raising a family and my day job, I hadn't yet written a word - until one day when I impulsively began searching the Internet, looking for the perfect place to set my novel. It had to be a remote wilderness lake with lots of islands, scenic beauty, colorful local history, and a connection with the Native American culture. When I stumbled upon Rainy Lake on the Minnesota/Ontario international border, I knew I'd found my place. I immediately booked a research trip to Rainy Lake - and fell in love with the place and its people.
I started to write. My novel began to come to life as I absorbed the beauty of this special place and learned about its history. You see, I consider myself a place writer of destination novels. I want my readers to feel that they are there with me, to care enough about the setting that they want to take a trip there someday. Apparently I've succeeded...a number of my readers have already made trips to Rainy Lake. Here they can see and experience the places where my characters lived and died.
What was the experience of getting Waters of the Dancing Sky published like for you?
Like most authors of recently completed manuscripts, I was anxious to get my book out there. People were continually asking me when it would be published. I shot out a few query letters to agents - and I waited, and waited. I began exploring alternative publishing options. By the time one agent expressed interest in my book, I'd decided to do it myself. I wanted control of my work and wanted to get it out there as soon as possible. This way I could also test the market. If it sold well, maybe I'd later consider going the traditional route. Then again, maybe not...
While it was hard work - both the publishing and marketing - it paid off. I'm pleased that Waters of the Dancing Sky has generated excellent reviews. My readers are asking for a sequel - even providing ideas for my consideration.
Today, there are many excellent options out there aside from the traditional route to publishing. I've recently released a second print edition of this novel through Create Space as well as e-books through Smashwords and Kindle.
Publishing is just the beginning of the process, however. Marketing is where the real work begins, and it is a never-ending process. It's worth the effort, however, when fans approach you to tell you how much they enjoyed your book - or that it actually made a difference in their lives. That's the greatest reward of all!
What do you hope readers will take away from you book?
Thornton Wilder once wrote, "There is a land of the living and a land of the dead, and the bridge is love - the only survival, the only meaning." Sometimes, I think you must tiptoe across that bridge linking this world with the next. Sometimes, it is the only way to put the twisted pieces of one's life back together again.
This is the theme of my novel. I'd like to leave my readers with a renewed sense of hope. I hope to expand their horizons. Excerpts from several of my book reviews include the following:
" Waters of the Dancing Sky is a soul journey that unfolds like a plot in a Hallmark movie." Frank Zufall, The Spooner Advocate
" Beautifully written, this is a brilliant tale of second chances and building a better, stronger life." Melissa Levine, Independent Professional Book Reviewers
" An elegantly told story filled with twists and turns, pain and tenderness, conflict and resolution. Touched by spirits of Native Americans long since passed from this world, emboldened by the majesty of the North Woods, this is a story about the universality of life. Highly recommended for lovers of life everywhere." Don Bacue, Executive Editor, International Features Syndicate
Are you currently working on other books?
Yes, I'm currently working on AMELIA 1868, a paranormal historical novel. It flashes back and forth in time from the 1860's gold rush days in the old western ghost town of Virginia City, Montana - to 2012 in the antique country town of Walnut, Iowa. The basic premise is this - what if a restless spirit comes back to life seeking revenge for her murder in a previous lifetime?Hopefully, this novel will be released by the end of the year. I'm also completing research for an historical novel to be set on Galveston Island, Texas. And, in my spare time, ideas for a sequel to my Waters of the Dancing Sky novel are already bubbling to the surface of my mind.
To find out more about Janet Kay Jenson and her books visit www.watersofthedancingsky.com. Here you can order print or e-book versions of her book, access her blog - Janet Kay's Journey- as well as a photo gallery of Rainy Lake. You can also enter the contest she is sponsoring to promote this novel. Some great prizes will be awarded on May 1, 2012.
I think I was born to write! My lifelong dream, since I was 8 years old, has been to become an author. I've always loved to write, to create fictional worlds in which my characters live and learn important lessons in life. Hopefully, my readers will find something in the pages of my novels that will help them in their journeys through life. My need to create and to help others are driving forces behind my desire to write.
How did you come up with the idea for your book Waters of the Dancing Sky?
My muse? Seriously, it all began ten years ago. Bits and pieces of this novel began waking me at night, demanding that I get up and scribble these ideas down in the notebook I keep beside my bed. As time went on, my characters began coming to life. The plot was thickening.
Busy with the demands of raising a family and my day job, I hadn't yet written a word - until one day when I impulsively began searching the Internet, looking for the perfect place to set my novel. It had to be a remote wilderness lake with lots of islands, scenic beauty, colorful local history, and a connection with the Native American culture. When I stumbled upon Rainy Lake on the Minnesota/Ontario international border, I knew I'd found my place. I immediately booked a research trip to Rainy Lake - and fell in love with the place and its people.
I started to write. My novel began to come to life as I absorbed the beauty of this special place and learned about its history. You see, I consider myself a place writer of destination novels. I want my readers to feel that they are there with me, to care enough about the setting that they want to take a trip there someday. Apparently I've succeeded...a number of my readers have already made trips to Rainy Lake. Here they can see and experience the places where my characters lived and died.
What was the experience of getting Waters of the Dancing Sky published like for you?
Like most authors of recently completed manuscripts, I was anxious to get my book out there. People were continually asking me when it would be published. I shot out a few query letters to agents - and I waited, and waited. I began exploring alternative publishing options. By the time one agent expressed interest in my book, I'd decided to do it myself. I wanted control of my work and wanted to get it out there as soon as possible. This way I could also test the market. If it sold well, maybe I'd later consider going the traditional route. Then again, maybe not...
While it was hard work - both the publishing and marketing - it paid off. I'm pleased that Waters of the Dancing Sky has generated excellent reviews. My readers are asking for a sequel - even providing ideas for my consideration.
Today, there are many excellent options out there aside from the traditional route to publishing. I've recently released a second print edition of this novel through Create Space as well as e-books through Smashwords and Kindle.
Publishing is just the beginning of the process, however. Marketing is where the real work begins, and it is a never-ending process. It's worth the effort, however, when fans approach you to tell you how much they enjoyed your book - or that it actually made a difference in their lives. That's the greatest reward of all!
What do you hope readers will take away from you book?
Thornton Wilder once wrote, "There is a land of the living and a land of the dead, and the bridge is love - the only survival, the only meaning." Sometimes, I think you must tiptoe across that bridge linking this world with the next. Sometimes, it is the only way to put the twisted pieces of one's life back together again.
This is the theme of my novel. I'd like to leave my readers with a renewed sense of hope. I hope to expand their horizons. Excerpts from several of my book reviews include the following:
" Waters of the Dancing Sky is a soul journey that unfolds like a plot in a Hallmark movie." Frank Zufall, The Spooner Advocate
" Beautifully written, this is a brilliant tale of second chances and building a better, stronger life." Melissa Levine, Independent Professional Book Reviewers
" An elegantly told story filled with twists and turns, pain and tenderness, conflict and resolution. Touched by spirits of Native Americans long since passed from this world, emboldened by the majesty of the North Woods, this is a story about the universality of life. Highly recommended for lovers of life everywhere." Don Bacue, Executive Editor, International Features Syndicate
Are you currently working on other books?
Yes, I'm currently working on AMELIA 1868, a paranormal historical novel. It flashes back and forth in time from the 1860's gold rush days in the old western ghost town of Virginia City, Montana - to 2012 in the antique country town of Walnut, Iowa. The basic premise is this - what if a restless spirit comes back to life seeking revenge for her murder in a previous lifetime?Hopefully, this novel will be released by the end of the year. I'm also completing research for an historical novel to be set on Galveston Island, Texas. And, in my spare time, ideas for a sequel to my Waters of the Dancing Sky novel are already bubbling to the surface of my mind.
To find out more about Janet Kay Jenson and her books visit www.watersofthedancingsky.com. Here you can order print or e-book versions of her book, access her blog - Janet Kay's Journey- as well as a photo gallery of Rainy Lake. You can also enter the contest she is sponsoring to promote this novel. Some great prizes will be awarded on May 1, 2012.
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012