The ever gracious and wonderful Janice Thompson joins Fresh Fiction to talk
about
her lovely
Brides with Style series!
Jen: Hi, Janice! Thank you so much for joining us on Fresh Fiction. EVERY GIRL
GETS
CONFUSED is the second book in the Brides
with
Style series, and a lot has changed for Katie from the first book. What
do you feel was the biggest change for Katie and did that cause you new
problems
when writing EVERY GIRL GETS CONFUSED?
Janice: By the time the second book begins Katie’s struggles are far
different than they were in book one. Pieces of her heart are still in
Fairfield,
of course, but now she’s fallen in love with Dallas/Ft. Worth, as well. And
though she loves the small-town life she’s always enjoyed, there’s something to
be said for the people in the big city. Other things have shifted, too. Once
completely dedicated to her childhood boyfriend, Casey, she’s now head-over-
heels
for Brady James.
Jen: This series wouldn’t be the same without Cosmopolitan, the
bridal shop that changed Katie’s life. What research went into creating this
amazing shop and the people who strive to make every bride’s wedding day
perfect?
Janice: I’ve spent a lot of time in bridal shops over the years. My four
daughters all got married within four years of each other, after all! I did a
ton
of research on bridal shops a couple of years ago when I wrote THE DREAM DRESS for the Weddings by Design
series.
That research came in handy when I started the Brides
with
Style series. Of course, I watched a l-o-t of episodes of Say Yes to
the Dress and similar shows while researching. I took great notes,
particularly about the interaction between the shop’s employees and incoming
(not-so-nice) customers!
Jen: You write sweet, romances, which I always feel focuses on the
courtship of the couple. Do you think courtship is an under-valued part of
romance and relationships in today’s society and if so why? If not, why not?
Janice: The sweet, innocent approach to romantic relationships is as
relevant today as ever. To be honest, I don’t set out to write “courtship”
novels. I’m just keenly aware that my romances need to be sweet and stay within
the boundaries that I (as a believer) would choose, should I enter into a
“dating” relationship. Sometimes I read reviews of my stories and people say
there’s “not enough romance” (meaning, they wish the stories were steamier). I
would say to those readers, “Find another author to read,” because my stories
will never cross that line. Ever.
Jen: Faith is key to every character finding their path in this series.
How has your faith shaped your career as a writer?
Janice: My faith is the key element of my life. It shows up organically
in
every story. I never (ever) set out to write a faith-based story. (Meaning, I
don’t sit down and say “How can Katie grow in her faith as this story
progresses?) Instead, it happens naturally as the story progresses. This is,
after all, how my own faith journey has happened. I’ve been through ups and
downs
(I’ve had quite a plotline in my own tale) and these twists and turns have
developed me into a stronger woman of faith and (I hope) a better writer.
Jen: What is the last book you read that you absolutely could not put
down?
Janice: THE CIRCLE
MAKER by Mark Batterson. I took great notes and even made quite a few
circles!
Jen: Can you tell us what you’re working on now? Will you get to visit
Katie and Brady soon?
Janice: I’m currently editing the final book in the Brides
with
Style series, EVERY BRIDE HAS HER DAY. My editor told me that
this
is her favorite book in the series! Once this is complete readers will see me
returning to Bella Rossi-Neeley’s story as I pen several Bella novellas
in
a row for kindle. They can keep up with my goings-on by following my author
page
on Facebook.
Jen: Janice, thank you so much for being here and for your gracious
answers!
Janice Thompson also writes under the pseudonym Janice Hanna. She got
her
start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage.
Janice has published over ninety books for the Christian market, crossing genre
lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books,
devotionals, children’s books and more. She particularly enjoys writing light-
hearted, comedic tales because she enjoys making readers laugh. In addition,
she
enjoys public speaking and mentoring young writers.
Janice formerly served as Vice-President of CAN (Christian Authors Network) and
was named the 2008 Mentor of the year for ACFW (American Christian Fiction
Writers). She was thrilled to be named the 2010 Barbour/Heartsong Author of the
Year, with three books on the top ten list for that house. Janice is active in
her local writing group, where she regularly teaches on the craft of writing.
Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of
the
Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. Her tagline,
“Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters!” sums up her take on life.
She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host
of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. She does her best to keep
the
Lord at the center of it all.
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Katie Fisher and Brady James may be a match made in heaven, but that doesn't
seem to guarantee them a happily ever after accompanied by angelic choirs. In
fact, the sounds being heard at the bridal shop where she works are on the
contentious side lately, as a bride- and groom-to-be try to mediate the growing
rivalry between their basketball-obsessed families in the middle of play-off
season. On top of that, Katie's parents are nagging her to get out of Dallas
and
come home to tiny Fairfield where her former boyfriend Carson is waiting for
her,
ready to rekindle their relationship. Oy vey! What's a girl to do? And will she
ever be able to wear that gorgeous wedding dress she won?
The breezy fun continues as Janice Thompson throws everyone's favorite small-
town
girl into big-city bridal chaos--and makes her choose between the love she
thought she lost and the love she stumbled upon in the aftermath.
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