Sunday 4 September 2011

A Love of Life - Janet Beasley

Don and Janet with their Bichon Frise

This week siting around my pool all the way from Florida is Janet Beasley: Epic Fantasy Author.We are so seriously international here. Welcome Janet, make yourself comfy and help yourself to my bubbly and nibbles!

Janet was raised in the mid-western state of Ohio in the once Norman Rockwell setting of the small town Beavercreek, and now resides in Florida where she enjoys writing, reading, kayking, hiking, and scenic nature photography with her knight in shining armor, her husband Don. They have been married 31 years and have one kid...well, they call him a kid...a loveable Bichon Frise. They also enjoy spending their summers in Michigan's U.P. in their quaint cabin nestled deep in the north woods on Lake Superior.



Ohio nostalgia - a well known intersection
near the town where Janet grew up


It is all yours Janet, so take it away!


"Cheers Pauline, my my this is so quaint compared to back home, but gorgeous and your kids, like mine are so cute! I can hear you asking why epic fantasy for a 50 year old named Janet? If you know me that's an easy question to answer...if you don't know me then it could be a little more difficult, so let me fill you in.

Ohio farmland (not Janet's - just a landscape
shot from near her old house)


I have been involved in theater, dance, event production, and technical theater production (audio, lighting, and special effects) since the age of 5. These were my first outlets for my creativity. (And I was quite successful I might ad). I have spoken at international conferences, developed seminars and training classes, written articles for trade specific magazines, and helped many technicians and drama directors get through not only their productions - but life in general when it comes to the stress of the job. As my life progressed I faced challenges that would have brought most of us to a screeching halt. But becoming a victim to stacking chronic illnesses which lead to having to give up on productions and the closing of my "Bark-ery"/Bakery due to physical restraints, surviving 5 hurricanes, suffering through many of life's hardships (death of loved ones, putting a dear pet to sleep, financial ruin, sharing the duties with my father of caring for the sweetest mother in the world 24/7 who is a diabetic facing dementia, and the list goes on), and never learning how to read and comprehend a story until the age of 48, believe it or not, it hasn'tstopped me.

Sunset through the palm frawns at
Don and Janet's house in FL


I am not a quitter...especially when it comes to utilizing my creative imagination. I claim it was the hardships that brought me to discover the world of fantasy writing. A self made goal in the midst of these trials was successfully completing a science fiction/fantasy writing course through Gotham Writer's Workshop. From this I have found a passion that no one or nothing can quench. I have now moved on to entering the writing world as one of the most creative authors waiting in the wings to be discovered.

When asked to be a part of loveahapyending.com I was humbled and secretly wondered, "What the heck? I don't have those kind of credentials." But when I stopped to consider the name, Love A Happy Ending, I realized I was right where I needed to be! My main focus in writing epic fantasy novels which I guess is to present an "escape" to those facing hardships and longing to forget about their circumstances for a while to discover a world where I hope everyone would want to live. You're probably asking yourself...what world? Well let me tell it would be Maycly - Volume 1.Maycly is a  6 volume epic fantasy series titled Hidden Earth.

You see, my goals in life, other than writing, is to bring a smile to at least one person's face a day. And in return, I've found that the new loveahappyending.com family returns the favor with much love and encouragement. I couldn't be happier."

You can watch Janet's amazing video on youtube to meet and discover this epic novel series just click on the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpopbT_p_Cw&feature=youtu.be

Don paddling his kayak into the sunset
in front of our Michigan cabin


Hidden Earth" - Volume 1 "Maycly is currently out on submission to a publisher.
Janet continues to work diligently on the next 5 novels while waiting to hear the grand word "Accepted" so the editing process can begin and the novel finally reaches publication. She and her sister make quite the epic fantasy team, with Janet being the creative force and author, and her sister Darlene Bagby being Janet's full time illustrator and proof reader.
If Janet could live in a fantasy world, I asked her what it would be like.
Without hesitation she answered:



The living room of our log cabin
in Michigan's U.P.


 "My log cabin (with a hot tub on the porch and a fireplace in the gathering room) would be built rather far off a dirt road where tame wildlife is abundant. My bed and pillow would be so soft I'd sink ever so deeply encasing myself in the fluffiness. The continuous aroma of a north woods forest and plumerias combined would float on the breeze. The trees would never lose their leaves, only change to brilliant colors in autumn then back to green in summer. Flowers would grow in whimsical bouquets. Spider webs with dew drops would be my jewelery. Clear water rivers would run effortlessly through the land (the absolute best for kayaking) ending up in calm lakes lined with stately trees and foliage for water fowl to build their nests. Fluorescent illuminated aquatic species and plants would bring light from the depths to the top of the waters. There would be a dock at the end of every path that leads to the water's edge. At the end of each dock would be a few log chairs with plush seat pads and a table to place a drink. There would be a magic wand on each dock table too - just for creating fireworks or auroras in the evening skies. Sounds of numerous waterfalls of every size toppling from mogul hills and mountain tops would tickle the ears. Snow would never be cold. Birds would land in my hand singing their songs, and I would understand their words. The sky would be pink, purple, blue, amber, and gold. The twin suns would warm my bones during the day, and the three moons would tell me it's time for bed at night as they swooned me with their vocal lullabies. Sprites would be my daily guides through the woods. Fireflies would light my path in the evening. Of course my family and friends would be welcome anytime and could stay as long as they'd like. I would have my soul mate Don and canine companions by my side. Let's see, did I forget anything? Oh yeah...and there would be an endless supply of chocolate and sweet berries."

I hope you are like me, keeping everything crossed for Janet's fantasy book Maycly appearing soon. If it reads anything like above, it will be awesome!
Janet is an amazing photographer and all the photos in this Blog are taken by her!
 
Please visit Janet's web http://www.jlbcreatives.com/

 



3 comments:

Melanie said...

Wonderful interview! Great to find out more about you, Janet.

Wishing both of you ladies all the best!

Shaz Goodwin said...

I agree Melanie. Fab interview ladies x

Your Blog Host - Janet Beasley said...

Thanks gals! It was true fun getting to do the post with Pauline...she really is just the best!! Thanks for chiming in with the comments. ;-) Have a wonderful week! ~Janet~