Ask the Author: Janet Fox
Answered Questions (10)
Janet Fox
Hi Diego! That is such a great question. And you got the right answer - the designers/editor decided to go in a different direction. (I'm not sure I would have, had I been given a choice, but authors don't get to choose!) In fact, The Artifact Hunters is, I think, just as scary and certainly not for a much younger reader. But the publisher wanted to appeal to what they saw as a bigger audience. Publishing is a business, after all, and they make business decisions that sometimes even authors don't fully understand. Thanks for asking and let me know what you think!
Janet Fox
Hi Isaac! The Artifact Hunters idea came from a watch I saw in an article - a "Death's Head Watch." It's really creepy (look it up), and I thought how it would make a great time travel story. The rest of the idea evolved from there. By the way, my main character in The Artifact Hunters is Isaac!
Thanks for writing - cheers -
Thanks for writing - cheers -
Janet Fox
Great question. Several come to mind depending on the type of mystery, but I'm drawn to a ghost story. When I was in my early teens I lived in a haunted house. Yes, I'm sure it was haunted - I had experiences, and so did my mother (who was highly sensitive to the paranormal). I don't think it was an angry ghost; at least, there was no sense of anger. But sad, or disturbed, yes. Or maybe impish, the moving things around kind of impish. Hmm. Maybe I have the makings of a story...............
Janet Fox
Hi Maya! I'm so sorry to be late in answering this.
You have a good question. I set the story during World War 2 in part because I was inspired by the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis (which were set at that time, too) and in part because I think the war - and all wars - can stir up dark things in the world. So I wanted to play with that, with the idea that evil begets evil.
I hope that answers the question! Cheers and thanks - Janet
You have a good question. I set the story during World War 2 in part because I was inspired by the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis (which were set at that time, too) and in part because I think the war - and all wars - can stir up dark things in the world. So I wanted to play with that, with the idea that evil begets evil.
I hope that answers the question! Cheers and thanks - Janet
Janet Fox
Hi Tarana - Gosh, I'm so sorry! Somehow I never saw your question. Thanks for asking! I loved reading as a kid, and started writing when I was very little. I still have some of those original stories (thanks, Mom!) But it wasn't until my own son was born that I really began to pursue it. I started writing for children, and that's what I love to do. Thanks again - Janet
Janet Fox
Hi Richard! Thanks so much! I did a lot of research. I wanted those portions of the book that were historical to be accurate. As for the ending, I deliberately left it open to possibility, although at the moment I have no sequel written. We'll see!
Janet Fox
Hi Laurel! First, thanks so much for reading Faithful and I'm so happy you're enjoying it! I had to smile when I read your question, because when that cover first came to me, I asked my editor if there was any way to change the dress so that it looked more appropriate for the period. While I love the cover for other reasons, that dress has always bothered me. You're right - not only does it not look historical, it would have been highly inappropriate (not to mention cold!)
One of the things an author with a traditional publisher has no control over is the cover.
That said, I hope what you find inside is fun and enjoyable!
Cheers and happy reading - Janet
One of the things an author with a traditional publisher has no control over is the cover.
That said, I hope what you find inside is fun and enjoyable!
Cheers and happy reading - Janet
Janet Fox
Hi Margaret! Thanks for asking. FAITHFUL is a stand-alone book, but my second novel, FORGIVEN is a spin-off - several characters from FAITHFUL appear in FORGIVEN, including the main character of FORGIVEN. So you can read them individually, but there is a little cross-over. I've thought about writing a fourth book (following SIRENS, which is entirely separate) that would tie all the books together and bring back many characters or their children. I planted some hidden secrets in each novel. We'll see...!
Janet Fox
I'm very lucky - I've never had writer's block. I've been stumped about where to take the story next...but that's different from being blocked, which I think is about not having ideas.
Happily, I have more ideas than I have time left on the clock.
Happily, I have more ideas than I have time left on the clock.
Janet Fox
Currently I'm working on two projects. The most close to finished is a futuristic YA novel about a girl living underground on Earth and a boy living in a refuge on the moon who must fight their repressive societies and answer the question "What does it mean to be human?" The next project on my desk is a YA contemporary set in Montana, and I'm calling it Pride and Prejudice meets Hoot - romance, mystery, and contemporary social drama.
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