Author Interview with Janet Beasley: Maycly

Disclaimer: By posting this interview I am in no way endorsing any of the authors work but rather simply giving a forum so that we as readers can get to know them and the authors can promote their stories.


DLC: I'd like to introduce Janet Beasley author of Maycly book 1 of the Hidden Earth series. Welcome Janet. Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started in this industry.

Janet: As a kid I was always day dreaming in school, wondering what fantasy land I could be princess of when I got home that day. I was an active 4-H member and advisor, dancer, singer, and actor during my high school/college years. Throughout my life I've been a dog groomer and scenic nature photographer. I took over the "BARK-ery" gourmet dog treat business of my mother and grandmother and escalated it to include a "people" bakery from the ground up and from there I devised the plans and menus for 4 separate style restaurants.

My husband and I were always both very interested in the theatrical genre. We founded our design/install company, Multi-Tech Productions, Inc. in 1998. MTP specializes in audio, lighting, media, and special effects systems for commercial venues. That company has survived four hurricanes, the collapsing economy, and severe chronic illnesses, and is still running strong - but not without a few adjustments.

Being the one with the severe chronic illnesses, I had to cut way back on the physical load of productions, and close the food business. My creativity, however, never stopped. Not being quitters, but more so perserverers (is that a word?) to make the best of a horrible situation, JLB Creatives was birthed in addition to MTP. I had been working five years on my epic fantasy novel, Maycly - but not seriously, just here and there as I had time to escape the hectic days. A dear friend in the publishing business encouraged me to get it back out and FINISH IT! I didn't know what the heck I was doing. Sure, I'd written several self help books, been published in trade magazines, developed classes, and spoken at conferences nationwide...though I'd never tackled a novel. But...what the heck? So, I put myself through writing school at age 49, and now at age 50 I am looking at submitting my first epic fantasy novel, "Maycly," for publication in the near future.

DLC: What a fantastic testimony! I personally love a good fantasy story. Please share about your upcoming book.

Janet: “Maycly” (slated for a mid July release as an ebook) is an epic fantasy novel that takes a reader on the journey of Iona, a girl in her twenties on Earth, who has it all, loses it all, but never stops searching for answers. In her hay-day no one could have budged her from her trust in SUL – the Sorcerer of Unequivocal Leadership, also known as the Grand Wizard and the Creator of both Earth and Maycly – but after she experiences stacking chronic illnesses, loses her wealth, and her last three living family members go mysteriously missing, she’s no longer certain SUL even exists, and if He does…she’s absolutely positive He’d never help someone like her now. She decides never to love another living thing, but when a puppy shows up on her doorstep things begin to change. Even though Iona knows The Book of Good and Evil inside and out, she has cast off her trust in SUL and is bound to find her family on her own. But SUL has other plans, and Iona (unknown to her) has a destiny to fulfill. A few chapters in, the story explodes and takes the reader back 100 years prior on Maycly to set the stage for Iona’s arrival. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you may even say “awwww,” and best of all no matter your age, you’ll most likely find a character or two (Earthly or not) whom you can relate to. Chocked full of twists and turns and battles of epic proportions, you’ll enjoy tagging along with Iona and her band of new found friends as they face many dangers in the search for her family.

DLC: When does the movie come out... =) Sounds great! After hearing the synopsis of the story I can see some aspects of Iona that may be reflective of your own life. Do you have a character that you most identify with?

Janet: That would have to be Iona. There are a lot of similarities between the two of us, the most obvious ones being stacking chronic illnesses, losing it all, and not knowing her destiny. Iona’s fun loving, very talented in the performing arts, and loves people. It used to be when things were going Iona’s way it was all fine and dandy. Needless to say she has learned a hard lesson that when they don’t – she needs to still be happy and keep going…just because the Grand Wizard says so.

DLC: You have so many talents and fires burning as it were, when did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Janet: In my earlier theater days as a director, producer, technician, performer, and stage play writer I found that my creativity was almost becoming a nuisance. I either couldn’t get the stage sets built the way I was envisioning them, or the technical parts were lame due to budget restraints. It was then I picked up a pad and paper and started writing down my ideas which in turn was putting a story together.

Writing this thing became an outlet for my creativity where I could “build,” “light,” “make certain sounds,” and “add a foggy forest” when I needed it without a budget!

I probably don’t need to tell you this, but for those who may not know, owning your own business takes a lot…did I say a lot?...of time and energy. For that reason, the novel was put away when I began to use my creativity in other ways.

Finally the stacking chronic illnesses took their toll and I failed miserably (physically) at trying to create a gourmet dog treat business which expanded into a bakery along with the “BARK”-ery, and from there developing four different style restaurants. I was devastated when illness took it all away, and I sought God on why He insisted on making me so creative. I would scream into the heavens – either do something with this creative “genius” or take away the feature and let’s do something else…please. Finally, His answers began to unfold, and now long story short, the readers will get the benefit by finding my four restaurants on Maycly, with menus – recipes - bakery recipes - and “BARK”-ery recipes all included in the back of the novel.

DLC: That's great Janet! You've been through some hard times, obviously struggled, suffered even, what kind of advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Janet: If you’ve got a creative idea and everyone around you thinks your nuts…let them go ahead and laugh and make their comments because in reality, your idea is probably going to make a great novel!

Carry a pad and paper with you at all times. Bring your camera because there have been multitudes of times I snap a shot so I can describe the “oddity” of nature better when it comes time to write about it.

If you’re writing fantasy – draw a map! Some like to draw it first, others in the middle, others at the end. After my first novel, I’ve decided I’ll at least have a rough draft of a map at my fingertips at the beginning and keep adding to it as the story develops.

If you’re writing epic battles – do your homework!

Don’t get too attached to your paragraphs – when you write something, even though it’s beautifully crafted with magnificent detail and dialogue…if it doesn’t fit, don’t use it! I did find that even though I wrote several, yes several, chapters that helped me develop my characters and locations, but I didn’t use a drop of it in print when it came time to pull the story together. Key here – I kept it in a separate file because you never know when you may need it, or need a refresher on your scene/characters.

And most importantly – have fun!

DLC: That's one of the best and most thorough answer I've ever gotten for that question. Again, brilliant! I have thought about doing a fantasy story after The Unwanted Trilogy and I find it funny that you say you should create a map. That was one of the first thoughts that went through my head. I would need to create an entire world. Great advice!

You've already touched on this next question when you mentioned you carry a camera with you. What source or sources do you draw from when creating a new story?

Janet: I use a multitude of things. My faith and personal experience are the top two with a heaping portion of creativity thrown in. The world around me helps fill in the gaps whether it be character models, scenery, or circumstances.

DLC: We're much alike Janet. If I asked you to pick one of your characters as your favorite who would it be and why?

Janet: That would have to be Artie and Wiskee. These two are such loveable characters. Artie, a chukkon on Maycly, is a protector of many. He would rather shoot first and ask questions later…all with good intentions of course…but he doesn’t like anyone messing with his friends. He loves kids and animals, and that’s why he and Wiskee get along so well.

Wiskee is a Bichon Frise. If you know anything about this breed of dog, you will know that the best description around is happy, happy, happy! Wiskee is definitely that. He holds an unconditional love for his master, and brings a smile when no one or no animal can. He’s dedicated, loyal, but also has an ornery side to him, just like all dogs, that causes any pet owning readers to just shake their heads because whatever the pet has done is too funny to scold them.

DLC: You said you had to do a lot of research for Maycly, what was your greatest challenge when writing it?

Janet: All who ask, get the same answer…writing the battle scenes, I kid you not! Ranking, flanking, weaponry, and logistics are NOT my strong points. Even with the countless hours spent researching, watching battle scenes, and studying “gladiator” type fights, it was THE MOST DIFFICULT THING…EVER!...TO WRITE. And was I stupid enough to put two epic battles in this novel…but of course. The first battle scene took months to get it nailed down. Then came the editing…and editing…and editing…zzzzzzzzzzzzz. I was to the point I was just ready to invent some archaic hologram that would swallow everything up on the battle field so I could just write something like this …and it engulfed every being on the battle field and in Maycly and they all died. THE END! But…I didn’t. My dear fans kept cheering me on, telling me I could do it…well, I must say I proved them all right.

DLC: That is a temptation as an author to have a complex moment in the story and want to somehow quickly resolve it. But when we persevere the story is so much stronger and real for the readers. You made mention of editing and editing and editing... What factors do you use that tell you the manuscript is done?

Janet: When my personal editor says so. Seriously, I have a true blessing in my older sister, Dar Bagby. She holds a masters English Language Specialist degree along with another in music. She was the scholar of the two of us. When she asked me if I wanted her to help, who was I to argue with an older sister. It took her a while to realize Maycly is a candy land fantasy and not a documentary. She ended up describing it like this: Shakespear collided with Dr. Suess…but it worked! Dar also serves as the fulltime illustrator, and we have become quite the sister team and hope that our future fans will enjoy our “collision!”

DLC: Nothing quite like a happy accident. =) Why did you choose to write a fantasy novel?

Janet:  Speaking only from personal experience here, I believe if you were the kid who fought dragons, built castles out of your bunk beds, thought lightning bugs were fairies (Wait, what? You mean they’re not?), dressed up your dog as an armored battle animal, or even made your bologna sandwich your secret magical weapon, then fantasy would definitely be the genre you might want to consider.

DLC: Point well made...hehehe. Do you have any favorite authors?

Janet: I do, and they’re scattered across the genres. Of course there’s J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, and Tolkein, but I also thoroughly enjoy Steve Hamilton and Janet Evanovich.

DLC: Great group of authors. Are you working on anything now?

Janet: Now that Maycly is getting ready to be introduced to the public…I’ve got 5 more novels already in the making which stem from Maycly. Actually, Maycly is listed as Vol 1 in my 6 novel series titled “Hidden Earth.”

DLC: Get busy. Maycly sounds fantastic I'm sure your readers are going to want the whole set. =) OK now for a fun question, if you were stranded on a deserted island and could pick only 2 books to have with you, what would they be and why?

Janet: The Bible, because the “fantasy” stories in it never get old (you know, floating axe heads, talking animals, feeding the masses with bits and crumbs, and my personal favorite paraphrased: no more dying, no more sickness, no more pain, …for the former things have all passed away!). Plus,the truth that the Bible brings is ever so powerful when it comes to finding that inner peace that surpasses all understanding. Also, if I wanted somebody to talk to, I could talk to God and know His best answer would be right with me at all times. And the other would be “Maycly,” so I could always be reminded I’m not a quitter.

DLC: I love that answer! Janet, you've been fantastic today and I want to thank you so much for sharing about yourself and your book Maycly. I pray you have great success and look forward to reading it.

For those of you that would like to find out more about Janet Beasley or her production group JLB Creative please visit the following links.

http://www.jlbcreatives.com

BLOG: http://jlbcreatives.blogspot.com

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/jlbcreatives

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/JLBCreatives

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

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/bzinclermont