SF - Why and when did you start writing creatively? JWS - I don�t think I ever had choice about writing. I�ve always been a fairly good story teller and my mother certainly encouraged me as a young child to communicate well. She taught me to read long before I started school, so the written word has always been an integral part of my life. As a child my father made me read the Bible from cover to cover as a book of prose so that I would learn to appreciate lyrical writing. He also made me read the editorial page of the Washington Post because he thought it was essential that I develop a world view. I think the exposure to the written work I received at a young age was the catalyst for me to write. SF - Where do you get the inspiration for your stories? JWS - Inspiration can come from almost anything or anyone. I think the feelings that are generated in everyday living are the most inspiring because, as a writer I want to craft stories that everyday people can relate to. I am not interested in telling a story that doesn�t feel real to me. Some may call that limiting but for me, it�s essential. SF - Are there parts of you contained in your works? JWS - Absolutely, I think my writing has my gene pool sometimes! I can�t imagine not leaving a part of myself on the pages of writing. It wouldn�t make sense to put my name on it if I didn�t. SF - Do you identify with any one particular character? If so how? JWS - I don�t think I identify with a particular character, but I can certainly identify with their feelings and struggles. I�ve been a single parent, I�ve lost both of my parents, I know what it�s like to have loved and lost. Many readers have come to me after reading my book and told me how much the emotions of my book captured many of their personal feelings about their lives. SF - What genre are you most comfortable with? JWS - I�d say contemporary fiction, although I�m interested in some non-fiction, relationship kinds of work as well. I�ve done some speaking engagements to students regarding self-esteem and I�m interested in possibly writing something along those lines. SF - Where do you hope to see your creative career go? JWS - I�d like to develop a screenplay or a stage play. With August Wilson�s recent death, I�m afraid that many of our stories won�t be told in various forms the way they once were. Someone has to carry that torch. Not that it has to be me, but why not? SF - Have your life experiences influenced your work? If so, how? JWS - I couldn�t write a word had I not been raised the way I was raised or experienced the things I�ve experienced. Surely fact is stranger than fiction! SF - What, if anything, would you like to share about you, the person? JWS - I�m an extremely receptive person, sometimes to my detriment. I have a tendency to give a person the benefit of the doubt many times before I give up on them. Forgiveness is one thing I try to make a mantra in my life, probably because I need forgiveness for my shortcomings on such a regular basis. SF - How has your transition to publication gone? JWS - It�s been ok. Many would say that I�ve done fairly well in spite of the fact that I went the POD route. I�ve learned so much on the journey and that�s been the most important thing. SF - What would you like to do differently the next time? JWS - I certainly won�t go the POD route. I�ve submitted my work to several publishers and I�m also working on self-publishing in the true sense of the word. I have my ISBNs and all that, so it really is just a matter of getting it printed and getting it out there. SF - To whom do you seek advice and / or support from? JWS - Most of the time it�s from other authors. I�ve met so many wonderful authors who have given me sound advice and just listened to me when I whined incessantly about this crazy business. SF - When can your fans expect to enjoy your work again? JWS - A story I submitted has been selected for inclusion in a non-fiction It will be released in November 2005, by . ReShonda Tate Billingsley, entitled �Help! I�ve Turned into My Mother.� It will be released in November 2005, by Strebor/Simon and Schuster. It�s my first mainstream work, so it�s pretty exciting. My next novel should be out in early 2006. SF - How can your fans reach you? JWS - They can always visit my online home at http://www.janetwestsellars.com and e-mail me at [email protected]. I respond to everyone because I�m so utterly grateful for the support I�ve received. SF - Do you have any presently scheduled events for the next few months? JWS - I have a few book club events scheduled for the month of October and a signing at MacArthur Center Waldenbooks tentatively scheduled for November 11, 2005. I�m really trying to cut back on the touring for the time being, as I�m completing my second novel. SF - What books have you read lately that you would like to recommend? JWS - I recently read Crossing Jordan�s River by Kendra Norman Bellamy. She�s one of the few Christian fiction writers that keeps it real. SF - What is your idea of fun? JWS - I like hanging out with my girlfriends, love going to movies and of course, shopping. There�s nothing like buying a new pair of shoes and a matching bag. SF - What experiences do you hope to one day have? JWS - That�s a tough one. I have a great family, I�ve traveled all over the world, I�ve published a book, I have my health, so if my sun doesn�t rise tomorrow, I feel as if I�ve done what I needed to do in this life. SF - What places do you still wish to travel to? JWS - Maybe the Great Wall of China. SF - Do you have an agent and if not are you looking for one? JWS - No I don�t have one. I have submitted to a few but haven�t been picked up. But getting an agent isn�t really a priority on my list right now. They normally say that my work is not a right fit for them, but some of them are not a right fit for me either. I think I�ll know when it�s right. SF - How many not yet to be released works do you have keeping warm on the back burner? JWS - I�m working on a short story for an erotica anthology. It will be a period piece. I�m also outlining the non-fiction book I mentioned earlier as well as my second novel. SF - Who did your cover for you? JWS - .She is a local graphic artist and my book was her first A woman by the name of Cynthia Harges. She is a local graphic artist and my book was her first cover. She did an awesome job. Another interesting fact is that she did it while she was recovering from breast cancer so this was something she needed almost as much as I did. . SF - Off all of your released works which is your favorite? JWS - I don�t have any favorites. I love them all, but differently, kind of like my children. SF - When and where / what type of environment are you most creative in? JWS - Where I�m loved and comfortable with the surroundings. I like a little music sometimes, but I don�t have any rituals or absolute necessities. I can have my seven year old sitting on my lap and write some of my best work. SF - What other talents should everyone know you have? JWS - I used to be a percussionist as young adult. I also sing a little and write lyrics. SF - Outside of your present career, are there any other avenues you would still like to pursue? JWS - I�ve always had a secret desire to be a radio personality! SF - Where would you like to see your life five years from now? JWS - Healthy and happy would be good enough for me. SF - Anyone out there you like to acknowledge? JWS - There are so many out there that have given me good advice or a kind word, it�s hard to say. But, of course, you stand out as someone who has given me unwavering support that is so very appreciated. Another person is Eric Pete. I met him early this year and I have to say he is one of the most genuine people I�ve met in this business and his advice and support have made a huge impact on some of the business decisions I�ve made thus far. Janet West Sellars Author of Quiet As It's Kept http://www.janetwestsellars.com SF - I want to thank Janet West-Sellars for extending yourself to do this interview. To my readers I have a question. Do you believe in angels on earth? Well, if you don't you need to spend some time with Ms.West-Sellars. She is one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. She is also one of about twenty authors, I have had the pleasure of knowing, that is exactly how she sounds. As she explains, her stories are generally about regular everyday people and the changes they go through , trying to deal with life and its many complexities. She has been selling her books like hot cakes, I look forward to reading all of her future books. I hope each of you will visit her web site and sign her guest book so she'll know you stopped by. Unlike, many authors, you can expect a personal reply. |
| Janet West-Sellars
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| Silver Fox's Den
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