Author Interview-Embrace Love and Hope with Author Janell Butler Wojtowicz
Welcome to Untamed Publishing's Author Interviews! As a company that caters to the self-published author, we want to highlight and support indie authors. There is a vast array of talent amongst us, and here's the opportunity to connect the readers to their next favorite author!
This interview features, Author Janell Butler Wojtowicz. Let's learn to embrace the beauty of love and hope through Janell's words!
Hi Janell! Welcome to the UP HOT SEAT! Before we begin, please tell us a little about yourself.
I will always consider myself a farm girl as I was born and raised in Iowa. My writing side emerged when I become one of those kids who loved to write the dreaded “What I did on summer vacation” essay. I wrote short stories just for my amusement as a youth. I attended the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, Minnesota, earning a bachelor’s degree in Written Communication/Journalism. I returned to Iowa where I worked as a reporter/editor at three small town newspapers for 10 years.
I left the small town rural Iowa life when I married, Frank, a family friend, who lived in Minneapolis. (By the way, my Polish last name is pronounced “Why-tow-vitch.) I worked in public relations at my alma mater; at Leadership Foundations, a nonprofit organization supporting inner-city Christian ministries; and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Today, I own a freelance service, A Portrait in Words, and am a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America.
Frank and I live in New Brighton, Minnesota, a pleasant suburb of the Twin Cities. I have two step-sons, a step-daughter-in-law, and three step-granddaughters.
Super impressive! With everything that you have on your plate, why did you make the decision to become a published author?
I never set out to write a novel as I was busy with my career. But the night after watching a BBC version of “Jane Eyre” 10 years ago, I dreamed the beginning, pivotal scene in the middle, and the ending of what became “Embracing Hope.” The next day the dream was so vivid I began writing furiously. I had written a family memoir years before that I didn’t finish or pitch, but this time I thought I had a chance to publish. As the hope theme developed, I knew the novel had a message beyond a good read. Another precipitating factor in stimulating my desire to write a novel was the job I had at the time stifled my creativity and it had to eke out somehow.
What genres do you write or wish to write?
I write contemporary Christian romance fiction
Okay so let's dive right into your work. Tell us about your current book project.
“Embracing Hope” is my debut novel launched in November 2016. There are sequels; one is 90 percent complete; the third is 50 percent complete; the next two are twinkles in my eye. While marketing the debut novel, I’ve been tweaking the second.
What is your upcoming project about? When will it be released?
The first sequel is about the bad boy of the first novel. It’s a story of redemption and renewal. I hope it will be published in a year, but I’ve been focusing most of my time on marketing the debut novel.
Ooh, I'm just as ready to read the second release as I am to read the first. I mean, who doesn't love a good bad boy in their novels? Speaking of your writing style, what makes your writing stand apart from other authors?
I’ve been told my dialogue is strong in that it’s emotional yet realistic. I prefer dialogue and action, and like to put thoughts into action. Also, when writing romance, I’m a believer that love doesn’t develop quickly with boy meeting girl, problems encountered and solved, faith renewed, and the couple married all within six months. I’ve read several novels when the couple was engaged/married in less than three months, which is not realistic (nor recommended by relationship experts). My plot covers 16 months with the wedding (in the epilogue) six months later. I want readers to relate to the story, and the time span and resulting character development is a big part of that. The sequel spans five months, but the epilogue implies the marriage takes place a year later because the couple decides to start over in building their relationship.
What are some of your other aspirations for your writing career?
While I’d like to be a full-time author launching books every 12-16 months, I enjoy my freelance work, which is writing blogs for a marketing firm, editing projects for a Christian nonprofit, and fun one-time projects. They keep my writing diverse and give me ideas for fiction.
Now let's learn a little more about Janell, the author. When it comes to writing, are you a morning person or a night owl?
When I began the novel I had a full-time job so I wrote at night, right after supper until 9 p.m. Since working as a freelance writer/editor, I have time during the day, too, but I still prefer the evenings when the day’s pace has slowed down.
Tell us a unique writing habit that you have.
I’m a concrete sequential so I need everything in order in my home office, in the mechanics of the manuscript, and in my routine before I can focus on the content. I go nuts when margins, fonts and font sizes aren’t consistent. Part of that obsession comes from my years in journalism when I worked with tight deadlines, page layouts and the need for graphic precision.
If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it? Why?
“Once a farm girl, always a farm girl.” Spending 31 years in farming communities then adjusting to city life was a stretch for me even though I went to college in the same city where I now live. The book would offer advice and anecdotes with a bit of humor to make the transition easier for others.
Would you like to collaborate with other authors on a book project?
No, I guess I’m a Lone Wolf.
There's nothing wrong with being the Lone Wolf. Sometimes you just need to release "your voice" to the world. Completely understandable. Now let's get to know a little about you, aside from writing. Outside of writing, what are your favorite past times?