Biography
Janice was born in Guyana, South America and migrated to the USA in 1980. Although her citizenship certificate now reads the United States of America, she considers herself a citizen of the world. Sure she has not physically been around the world and back, but she's travelled in her mind and dreams. Janice is also the proud mother of teenage boys.Janice is an author. She enjoys writing about social issues and personal experiences. Janice's debut release was entitled Damaged Girls. She uses the three books in that series to detail the effects of different forms of abuse, discussing issues that are known to be taboo. Her latest release, Jumping Ship, is a dedication to her country of birth and an introductory novella to the Island Hopping Series - due out in 2014. It's poised to be a colorful and emotional experience of life, love and family.
Janice enjoys reading. And is drawn to stories with distinct characters that she can love or hate, characters she can form alliances with or characters that she can swear off and despise. She is also weak for a good cultural tale, preferably in the form of historical fiction. Janice loves to be taken off guard by clever language and settings.
Janice is also a devout supporter and promoter of other authors through social media. She hosts a weekly show, Cultural Cocktails, on the largest social radio network, Blog Talk Radio.
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Author Interview:
Where
did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I was born in Guyana,
South America but grew up on the East Coast, of the USA. The time I spent in
New Jersey was valuable to me because although I was far from my country of
birth, the mixture of the inhabitants was rich in Guyanese and Caribbean
culture. At an early age, I learned to appreciate the differences amongst each
group. On the other hand, when I moved to Delaware, I immediately noticed a
difference in the behaviors and speech of the locals. NJ has a greater mixture
of culture than DE; nevertheless, there are distinctive behaviors that I've
been able to pinpoint.
When
I write, I try to pay close attention to such things. I believe that it is
important to recognize that not everyone speaks the same. There are unique
characteristics that allow readers to identify with each region.
When did you first start writing?
I
first started writing, the minute that I could understand what writing
entailed. I would write poetry to express my thoughts. As a child, I was in
love with the idea of love, well before I even experienced love. I used to
write poetry just about every single day, when I was in elementary school. I'd
also work on little episodes and short stories on a weekly basis, and hand them
out.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
The
greatest joy of writing for me is creating memorable characters, whether they
have good or bad personalities. I believe in emotions and make every attempt to
engage readers in the emotions of the individuals I've created. As a matter of
fact, to a certain degree, I try to become as close to become these people. In
this way, I can truly relate and tell their stories.
What do you read for pleasure?
I
read inspirational stories for pleasure. By inspirational, I mean true to life
stories about characters conquering fears, making brave choices in life,
overcoming adversities and embarking on life-altering journeys. I'm also a
sucker for a clearly defined cultural tale, filled with native dialogue.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it
had on you?
Funny
thing is, I don't recall reading a tremendous amount of children's books when I
was little. I specifically remember reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte,
well before I could fully comprehend the novel. And so, I dove into this
fantastic novel, with a dictionary handy. I would take notes, highlight and
make sure that I could understand what was written. I continued this process
each summer, until I was able to read straight through without a major hitch. I
believe this experience helped me to appreciate literature in a major way.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
1. The Alchemist by
Paulo Coelho - I was inspired by the novel. It made me want to find my purpose
and pursue my deepest desires and dreams.
2. By the river Piedra I
sat down and wept by Paulo Coelho - I've read this novel multiple times. It
reminds me of the wonderful power of true love.
3. House Made of Dawn by
N. Scott Momaday - I love the various scenes, the way that the plot jumps
around and the mixture of storytelling with an incorporation of the oral
tradition.
4. The Color Purple by
Alice Walker - This novel was a remarkable journey, with well-defined
characters that I was able to totally love or hate.
5.
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway - Hemingway's writing was colorful,
especially the manner in which this novel unfolded.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I
am a highly motivated person that seeks to tackle every task and learn as much
as humanly possible. I love to learn, take on new tasks,
and set regular goals. I believed that it was best for me to attempt this
journey on my own.
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