Today we have a special guest, Janice Hopkins.
Welcome.
Tell me a little about your background.
I’m originally from the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina where I grew up on stories and love to tell them. As an only child, I had imaginary friends, and as an author, I still have them. I’ve been a lifelong learner, reader, teacher, and writer. I’m a pastor’s wife, so church and faith are important to me. I wrote my first novel after I became my mother’s caregiver and have published 29 books in 5 1/2 years. I have released 19 audiobooks and have 3 more in the queue waiting for approval. All my profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.
What do you do for fun?
I find so many things fun that it’s hard to list them all. I love reading and writing and spend most of my free time doing those. I enjoy travel and have been to all 50 states and about 45 other countries. I like history, most arts & crafts, theater, folk studies, nature, and animals.
Who or what inspires you the most?
The Bible and my walk with God.
If you had a tagline, what would it be?
“And the greatest of these is love.”
About your writing:
What other writers/people do you consider inspirational? If they’re authors, what about their work captures your interest?
I’m an avid reader, reading almost 300 books a year besides all the writing I do. I love many authors. Some of my favorites are Francine Rivers’s earlier works, some of Lynn Austin, Tessa Asfar, and Kate Witemeyer, just to name a few. There are many others. I like writers who pull me into the story, and I live it with the characters. That’s the type of writer I try to be.
What got you into writing?
That’s a good question. One answer is that I learned to love stories and books early, and writing seemed a natural outgrowth. I started writing my own stories for entertainment about third grade. When I taught school, I wrote for magazines because they were shorter projects that I could fit into my busy schedule. But looking back, I think God may have been molding me all along for the writing I’m doing now. I just didn’t realize it at the time.
What is your writing process?
I’m a more of a pantser. I have multiple ideas in my head at any one time. The ones that stick and don’t fade away, I write. I live with my characters for a long time and know them well. I know my setting and vaguely where the story will end up. I write to see how it gets there. Because of this, if I can find the time, I write fast, just like I read, because I want to see what happens. I have published 29 books in 5 ½ years.
When do you consider a work complete?
I put each rough draft aside for a month or more before I edit it, and I may edit it several times. I send it to beta readers and reedit and revise from their suggestions. I submit it to my editor (sometimes two editors) and make any needed changes. Then, I publish.
About your book(s)/ work: Mountain Mishap (https://www.audible.com/pd/Mountain-Mishap-Audiobook/B07N7PRTYN)
(Mountain Mishap is my best-selling book on Audible and on Kindle.)
Anna Allen grew up in the Charleston Orphan House, but at eighteen, she must now leave. Her best option is to wed, and when a man from the Appalachian Mountains comes looking for a wife, she hesitantly agrees to marry him. However, life with Elbert Ramsey and his father turns out to be miles from her dreams.
In 1851, Levi West decides to go stay with his brother in the Appalachian Mountains. His parents had died, leaving the farm in debt, and a brazen woman had caused a rift between him and his best friend. Although his sister-in-law’s younger sister acts almost as bad, Levi finds he loves the rugged mountains. When a hunting accident endangers his life, help comes from an unexpected source. Dare he hope for a family of his own, or will another woman just disappoint him again?
Are there any deep themes or messages in the book the readers should be aware of?
The themes are trusting God’s guidance and perseverance.
What gave you the idea for this book?
Like most of my books, the idea just came to me. If anything triggered it, I was unaware.
How long did the book take to write?
It took about 2 months to write the rough draft. However, it took much longer to get through all the editing, etc. Because this work didn’t happen in a continuous block of time, I have no idea how long it took.
Who designed the cover?
I designed the cover. I have a background in art, and I enjoy the design process. However, I do need to invest in a better design program where I can do more.
Do you write in other genres?
I mainly write Christian romance, but my books have varying degrees of romance – some with more than others. I also have two Christian non-fiction books (On the Road to Jericho and From the Top of the Mountain to the Bottom of the Sea: Lessons from Elijah and Jonah).
Tell us about one other book or series and why it’s important to you.
My most recent book out on Audible is Time-Told Tales, Vol. Two (https://www.audible.com/pd/Time-Told-Tales-Volume-Two-Audiobook/B08NWHNTW1)
– two stories set in Medieval England. I’m an English and history major, and I love historical settings. I also love listening to this narrator’s voice here. And be sure to check out all my other books as well.
What animal do you most relate to?
I love dogs. My family used to raise Cocker Spaniels, and I always had some kind of dog growing up.
What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Butter pecan
Website: https://janicecolehopkins.blogspot.com
Go here if you want to learn more …
https://www.facebook.com/JaniceColeHopkins/
https://www.facebook.com/Appalachian-Roots-1560747940894713
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002817977251
Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself.
Audiobook Promotions …
Many of my 42 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.
Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)
Awakening – Redeemer Chronicles Book 1, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
The Holy War – Redeemer Chronicles Book 2, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
Reclaim the Darklands – Redeemer Chronicles Book 3, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
River’s Edge Ransom – Prequel to Redeemer Chronicles (Amazon) (email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)
Devya’s Children Series Links:
Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – short stories featuring Jillian. (Amazon) (free codes)
The Dark Side of Science – official prequel to Devya’s Children; Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live. (Amazon) (Please email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift. (Amazon) (free codes)
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma. (Amazon) (free codes)
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother. (Amazon) (free codes)
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble. (Amazon) (free codes)
More Scifi:
Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there. (Amazon) (free codes)
Guardian Angel Files:
Spirit’s Bane – Allister and Mina are training to be Guardians. Satan’s out to get them. (Amazon) (free codes)
Kindred Spirits – Mina’s exiled to Earth. Allister’s stuck in the Heavens. (Amazon) (free codes)
