Janet Sketchley Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.

A. I live in Nova Scotia, on Canada’s east coast. I’m a writer-homemaker, learning to set boundaries between work-at-home and free time. The tenacity of God is one of my themes in writing, because it’s something I’ve experienced in my own life. I have a husband and three sons, wonderful men who add warmth, encouragement and laughter to my life. Everyone’s still at home, but our sons may all leave the nest within the next year. Major adjustment!

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

A. I always made up stories, and even wrote some down as a child. The desire came back when I was an at-home mom with a toddler and no time to read. Very little time to write, too… maybe that’s why my first novel took so long to finish.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?

A. I got into writing through personal experience and inspirational articles, which taught me about manuscript submission, editor relations and deadlines. That built my confidence and gave some validation while I struggled over my fiction. Joining InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship, The Word Guild and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) helped me learn a lot about the industry, and the friends and connections I’ve made through these groups have been invaluable.

Heaven’s Prey is my first novel, and it went through several rewrites plus a long search for a home. Not many publishers want to take a chance on a new author with an issue-laden novel, especially when it’s set in Canada. Choose NOW Publishing tackles issues without flinching, and their editing team brought out the best in my story. It’s worth noting that I heard about Choose NOW’s call for submissions through ACFW. Without that connection, I might still be searching.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release, Heaven’s Prey?

A: A grieving woman is abducted by a serial killer—and it may be the answer to her prayers.

Despite her husband’s objections, 40-something Ruth Warner finds healing through prayer for Harry Silver, the serial killer who brutally raped and murdered her niece. When a kidnapping-gone-wrong pegs her as his next victim, Harry claims that by destroying the one person who’d pray for him, he proves God can’t—or won’t—look after His own. Can Ruth’s faith sustain her to the end—whatever the cost?

The novel is about a villain’s last chance at redemption and a vulnerable woman’s obedience to pray for her enemy—not the gentle inspirational read many associate with the Christian genre.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for Heaven’s Prey?

A: It all started with this question: it’s one thing to pray for an offender locked away in jail, but what would you do if you met the person face to face?

The idea wouldn’t go away, and the characters of Ruth and Harry took up residence in my imagination. Essentially, I started writing their story to get them out of my head. They’re not based on any real individuals, but they’re “real” to me J

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

A: Whatever happens, Jesus will be there. That’s something I tell myself whenever fearful “what if” questions try to steal my peace. Ruth’s experiences in Heaven’s Prey prove to her heart what her head has already known about God: He is trustworthy and He never leaves us.

Q: What is your favorite scene/chapter from the book?

A: The racing scenes were the most fun to write. Most satisfying? That’s the shovel scene, for those who’ve read the novel. I’m not sure what that says about me as a person J

Q: What inspires you to write?  

A. I love the thrill of discovering the characters and their stories. I want to know who they are, and what will happen in their lives. That’s the inspiring part, but for me it takes a whole lot of disciplined work to get to the end.

Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession?  

A: What, besides the absence of sudden wealth and fameJ? I think most of my expectations eroded before I reached this stage, through the reality checks I heard from other writers who’d been published. Writing is more complicated now, because as well as working on the next novel I need to be promoting the first one.

I hadn’t heard much about dealing with small presses, just the big houses or the indie route, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much input my publisher allowed in the process. They had the final say, of course, but actually asked for and listened to my opinions. And with promotion, yes it’s up to me as it would be for a first-time author even with a mega-publisher, but Choose NOW’s marketing director is very engaged in helping me find the best opportunities to get the word out. That support gives me the confidence to be more proactive than I’d likely be on my own.

Q: What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?

A: Don’t wait until you have something published to call yourself a writer. The only way to know you won’t succeed is to quit, so persevere. Connect with other writers, attend conferences if you can. Be teachable, and don’t turn getting published into an idol. Enjoy the journey.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?  

A. I’m revising book 2 in the Redemption’s Edge series, Secrets and Lies, with a projected release date of November 2014. It takes place in the period of time between the end and epilogue of Heaven’s Prey.

Heaven’s Prey mentions Harry’s sister, Carol, and this is her story. What would it be like to live with the public shame of having a dangerous offender for a brother? What if his enemies, who couldn’t get at him directly, decided to target Carol and her son? And what if this single mom had to handle all this in her own strength, because she was afraid to pray for help?

Different characters, different situation, but suspense and danger will ensue. There may even be some romance…

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?  

A. I love reading, music, knitting and cross-stitch… and tea. TV isn’t on my radar, except for Doctor Who, Babylon 5 and the occasional car race. A year ago I joined a gym, and actually enjoy the group exercise classes. Who knew? So I feel stronger, and a bit more confident. I sing in our church worship team, too.

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet? 

A. I’d love to have readers visit my website (http://janetsketchley.ca/). The Heaven’s Prey bonus features page has interviews with the characters, a link to read chapter 1 for free, and the recipe for Ruth’s blueberry pie.

My blog, Tenacity, is part of the site, and I post weekly reviews, devotionals and features. I also have a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/JanetSketchley), you can find me on Twitter (@JanetSketchley) and I’m on Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/janetsketchley).

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?  

A. I mentioned it was a long process writing, rewriting, revising Heaven’s Prey before finding a home for my characters. My earliest notes are dated March 1994, and every March I make a “birthday” cake for my imaginary friends (hey, I needed some kind of reward for persevering so long!) Last month marked 20 years since this started, and it was a nice feeling to know those earliest characters have finally made it into print.

Thanks for having me here on the Suspense Zone! I’ve read so many interesting interviews here, and this feels like a rite of passage.