So many writers struggle with P.O.V. (point of view). Is that why you included a lesson on that very tough subject?

Point of View (P.O.V.)is a critical fiction component. Employing to your best advantage is tough! Most of the young writers I know struggle in this area. The head-hop. Oh, they don’t mean to. . .but they do! My detailed lesson on Point of View offers students a thorough teaching on the various P.O.V.s (omniscient, third person, second person, first person), and gives specific examples and tips so that writers can become P.O.V. purists.

What is passive writing? Why have you included a lesson about it?

Many of the manuscripts I edit are written in passive voice. They’re loaded with passive verbs and include huge sections of “telling.” The author “information dumps,” which stops the flow of the story. Knowing the difference between active voice and passive voice is key to writing a great novel. Conquering the art of "showing" instead of "telling" will give writers an added advantage. This detailed lesson--filled with nuggets of wisdom from published authors--will give writers the tools they need to strengthen their stories and pull them into active voice.

Ack! Backstory! It’s so tough to add to our novels. Is that why you included a lesson on the subject?

Backstory. We all struggle with it, don’t we? In so many ways, it's critical to our story. After all, the reader needs to know where our primary character has come from--what she's been through--why she acts like she does. So, do you add the backstory or not? If so, can you do so without resorting to author intrusion? And where will you place it? At the beginning of the story? Elsewhere? Will it come out in lumps or snippets? This lesson offers students an intense look at backstory and includes tips for interjecting it without stopping the action.

Many writers struggle with finding their “voice.” Can you tell us more about that?

A writer’s “voice” is her/her “stamp.” It’s the author’s “personality on the page.” And many young writers haven’t “found their voice” yet. This lesson delves into the topic, in detail, giving perspective on this very personal issue. The lesson (titled “Themes, Style and Voice”) also covers the various themes found in popular books, as well as style components.

Can you tell us some of the top fiction mistakes?

Sure! After editing hundreds of manuscripts, I can point out some of the “top” fiction mistakes: Lack of a good hook. P.O.V. issues. Passive writing. Weak characterization. Poor plotting (no “belly of the whale” scene). Overuse of adverbs. On and on the list goes. Many writers simply don’t realize they’re making these mistakes until someone points them out. They wonder why the book keeps getting rejected. This lesson offers writers a thorough list, detailing the top twenty mistakes novelists make.

Why did you decide to add a lesson on humor writing?

I’ve been writing comedies for years and have learned so much along the way. Humor writing is tough stuff! Some writers are born with an overactive funny bone. Others have to work hard to be funny. (Ironic, isn't it?!) If you're interested in adding a little har-de-har-har-har to your novel, then you've come to the right place. In this light-hearted lesson on humor writing, I share my top ten tips for adding humor to your writing. The bonus feature contains another twenty tummy-tickling techniques, so hang on for the ride!

Putting together a book proposal is tough! What have you learned over the years?

Book deals are won or lost based on the proposal. If you've got a completed manuscript and you're ready to pitch it to an agent or editor, then this exciting lesson on query letters and book proposals will point you in the right direction, giving you all the confidence you need to submit, submit, submit! Students who use the information provided in this lesson can compose polished query letters and dazzling book proposals, sure to impress both editors and agents, alike.

Thanks so much for joining us, Janice. Where can people learn more about your courses? And where else can they find you on the web?

They can learn more at www.freelancewritingcourses.com. On that site, they will also find my “Becoming a Successful Freelance Writer” course, which many students have already taken. Folks can learn more about that one by clicking on this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-5IZSNaZFU. I offered a free webinar on the subject about six weeks ago, and it can be found here: http://www.freelancewritingcourses.com/?s=webinar. We’ll be adding to the course list every couple of months, so stay tuned for more announcements!

Other places to find me on the web:
My website: www.janiceathompson.com
My blog: http://janiceathompson.com/blog/?cat=1
My facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/jhannathompson

Here are a few questions for Janice:

Why are you so passionate about teaching others how to make money with their writing?
I meet so many struggling writers. So many are just hoping and praying to sell a book. They pour all of their energies into that venture. Most don’t realize that they could be making money much sooner if they would explore other avenues (besides just books). The possibilities are endless. If I can share what I’ve learned about the money-making aspects of writing, then I’ve helped another struggling writer on his or her journey.

Tell us a little about your own writing.
As I mentioned above, I’ve written just about everything! Most of my writing is for the Christian market, so my stories have a clear faith element. Lately I’ve been writing romantic comedies, (most recently the “Weddings by Bella” series), but I also enjoy writing mysteries, kid’s stories, historicals and more. I continue to write magazine articles, because they provide a great financial supplement. I’m also very excited about my many write-for-hire projects, because a huge chunk of my income comes from those. To learn more about my books visit my author site at www.janiceathompson.com. Books can be ordered directly from the site.

You’ve said there’s money to be made. . .but where? What avenues are available to freelancers?
At www.freelancewritingcourses.com, students will explore multiple areas where they can earn money with their writing. Lessons include:
· Setting Career Goals
· Magazine Article Writing
· Write for Hire Work
· Marketing and Public Relations
· Becoming a Public Speaker
· Becoming a Creative Writing Teacher
· Making Money as an Editor
· Writing and Selling the Non-Fiction Book
· Writing and Selling the Novel
Secrets From the World of the Pros Each lesson will cover a host of possibilities and will give real, practical suggestions.

You’ve mentioned other lessons that aren’t yet available. Could you share a few here?
Sure! Each of the ten topics listed above will eventually become its own course (with multiple lessons in each). I’ll be heading back into the recording studio soon to cover the topic of magazine articles more thoroughly. I’ll also record lessons covering all aspects of fiction writing. We’ll talk about passive vs. active writing, plotting, characterization, and much more. I’ve also got a host of lessons coming up related to non-fiction books. We’ll delve into specific topics related to write-for-hire work (my favorite!) and will share a host of lessons on marketing and PR. Hang on for the ride! Participants in these various courses will get the tools they need to work as a pro in the industry.

How, exactly, will these courses work?
When participants sign up and pay, they will be granted access to the “inner sanctum” of the site, where they can view the various components of the lessons, (the audio file, audio script, worksheet, power point and forum). I would suggest folks start with the first lesson (Setting Goals) and go from there. They can print up a copy of the worksheet and follow along with the audio and power point presentation. Then, at a designated time, participants can meet with me in the forum to discuss the topic at hand. I love the fact that this is all so user-friendly and participants can work at their own pace.

Janice, where else can people find you on the web?
My freelance writing courses site: http://www.freelancewritingcourses.com
My book-related website: www.janiceathompson.com
My blog: http://janicehannathompson.blogspot.com/
My facebook page
My facebook reader’s page

While she had a hard life, I don't ever recall her uttering a single complaint or unkind word. My Grandparents grew their own vegetables, which she canned and stored for the winter, along with hand-picked strawberries, blackberries and peaches. My mouth still salivates when I think of her blackberry cobbler. All visible signs of her labors have long vanished except for her quilts.     

Most people in our small community in rural Oklahoma knew of Grandma's quilt expertise. Known for flawless craftsmanship, she hand cut and hand stitched each colorful piece of fabric together with her signature tiny stitch. I emphasize the stitch, because some quilters made their stitches wider. Wider stitches meant they could produce a quilt faster, but they also fell apart quicker. In Grandma's small hands, each quilt became a work of art. When the cold fall nights arrived, mom covered us with those quilts. To know Grandma made them warmed my heart.  

Always an early riser, her days started well before sunrise. Before and after breakfast, you could find her seated at her quilting frame, working on her latest masterpiece. Her antique quilting frame had been hand carved and hung in midair from the ceiling attached to four strong cords. I don't know who carved them, but they came by way of covered wagon from Alabama to Oklahoma.  

Besides her quilts, she left us with a deeply meaningful phrase that helped her endure hard times. When potential trouble loomed on the horizon, she would say, "You might as well laugh as to cry." Those eight words I hold dear because they are Grandma's real legacy to me.  

That buzzword piqued my curiosity until I could waltz around it no more. I dove in, but that’s me. Let me warn you, it can be frustrating. Be determined. If I can do it, anyone can. You just have to give it a go and decide for yourself. I see it as a great marketing tool, but someone said, “What’s the purpose?” I'm still in the discovery mode.

So far, it is a great mini blog. It forces you to write tight, write often, and be creative with 140 characters. It’s closer than facebook and it’s so much fun. If you’re short on time, it only takes aminute to post. You can see at a glance what others in your field are up to.

Do use your real name because that’sthe way people find you if you’re on Twitter. If you don’t want to be found, use a handle known only to those you give it to. Oh, you can use Secret Tweets, and Direct Tweets. That increases your anonymity.

I love it! And my little grey cells are chirping overtime.  

If you’ve read my first post, then you know writing has been a lengthy and at times grueling journey for me. Partially because it’s taken years for me to learn to say “no” to things to which I would like to say, “yes.” Many good things, but those good things competed with my time for the best things. 

I began to see progress when I threw down the gauntlet to narrow the field; to diligently discriminate between the things that whittle away time I could otherwise use to hone my craft. To implement the needed change, I became desperate for God’s help. 

More time spent immersed in His Word and a daily, moment-by-moment awareness of His presence brought greater clarity of mind. As I let go of the things that didn’t have “Eternity” written on them, and replaced them with the things that did, joy and a sense of well being took residency in my soul. I noticed a change in the way things affected me, and hope filled my heart: all in spite of our nation’s gloomy economic madness and its moral decay. 

Knowing Him is indeed life. I’m in His hands. He's pure love. 

The gist of my post is this; place your future in God’s hands. He knows what’s best. Do carve out time to spend in His Word. The reward…eternal.

Since then, I've been working at it for about nine years. I need to add that during this time, I also learned how to use a computer with a little frustrating-at-times help from my husband. The more I learned, the more I realized just how much I didn't know. So I enrolled in Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Apprentice Course. I recommend it for anyone who would like an overview of the world of writing which includes working one on one with a professional mentor. Submitting for publication was another thing. It took more courage than I could imagine. Sometimes I think, did I write that! I do know this, it is a never-ending journey.

For now, writing is God's calling for me at this stage in my life. And my heart is stuck in the short story. Maybe some day I'll venture into a book, but for now, I love the short story.

Welcome to my blog. Pictured on the homepage is AScrapbook of Christmas Firsts. In it is my first published short story, Five Boxes of Christmas Cards, a touching story of my first childhood experience with answered prayer. The book would make an ideal Christmas gift and I hope you'll consider it when shopping for those on your list.