AN INTERVIEW WITH JANET S. LIFSHIN

I dreamt about being an author for as long as I can remember. I started writing by journaling and then wrote poetry and sent a poem to a publication and my poem was featured with a picture on the front cover illustrating the poem. My writing really bloomed when I got my first computer in the early 1980’s – a Commodore 64. I started taking writing classes and sent many articles to magazines without getting anything published.

I saved those rejection slips and looked at them as answers and the answers were NO and I was determined to be a writer. I got business cards made saying I was a writer and I continued to take classes and join writers groups. I got a job in a bookstore when a new mall opened up. I continued to write and I would take magazines off the shelf and imagined my name listed as one of the contributing writers.

I started getting published in newsletters, local newspapers and then got published in a National Magazine and eventually got a column in that magazine and realized the power of imagination and setting goals. I remember going to Barnes and Noble and asking if they had the magazine. I had already gotten my copy – yet seeing that magazine on the shelf with my name and article .

Being an author was a dream I had as a child and when I had the opportunity a few years ago to be a guest author at the elementary school where I first dreamt of being an author and to be there reading my book as a published author continues to motivate me to have more dreams and to share with others that they can make their dreams come true.
Many years ago, I got a call from an association that wanted me to be a Keynote speaker at a luncheon they were giving. The caller said that she had seen an article I wrote and that is what prompted the call.

I asked what article they had seen as I had not had anything published in a while. It had been a few years before that in a local parenting magazine and they had saved the article.

After my first book came out, so many people that I knew told me that they had a book they were working on or had a book idea and asked if I could help them. I had no idea that so many people I knew were aspiring authors and so I contacted other people that I knew that were authors and started workshops and a Meet Up which was called 4 Authors by Authors. As the people that helped me moved away or were no longer available to give their support, the group ended except for a Facebook page.

I have two children’s picture books already published and 2 more in process and several started. The two published are Adventures of Super New Girl and The Birthday Blanket. In process are Blankie is Missing and Super Blanket. In the works a book for adults based on my work as The HaHa Lady and what I taught about life – that book is called Enjoy the Journey.

Never give up is my motto. Find someone who has done what you want to do whether it is a person you know or not. If it is someone you know as if they will mentor you or if it is a public figure look up what they did and see if that works for you. You might find the person or people from attending writing groups where in person or online.

I bought children’s a book to use with my students as I am also an after school provider and I really liked the message of the book so I looked up the author and found that she offered online classes and I was able to join and online coaching program that she offered for children’s authors. It was 6 weeks and there were only 3 of us in the group. When the author was on vacation in Florida, I was able to meet with her in person.

I have never had an issue with writer’s block as I hear the words of one of my teachers saying if you ever feel you have nothing to write just take your pen and paper and write something. When I had met with an editor from a major publisher and was going to send in my manuscript, I went in my office knowing I had to be at my best.

I put on my oil diffuser with so me soothing scents and quiet music and wrote a note to my angels and guides to assist me. Then I took out my manuscript that needed to be revised to meet her specification’s and I easily wrote what I need to write. I decided not to go with that publisher and that is my book Blankie is Missing which I have been reading to students with response.

? I have taken the word problems out of my vocabulary; I instead use the word challenges. One of the biggest challenges came when my husband died when my son was 8. I put my writing aside as I ran a home-based business doing desktop publishing and raising my son.

I had already written The Birthday Blanket and had sent to publishers. I had gotten a letter from one publisher telling me that they liked my book and not to give up as they were not publishing those type of books anymore.

I did not give up and I started getting articles in magazines and even met with a local newspaper editor and showed him my “clips.” He published one article of mine and stayed on my heart was him telling me that I would be doing mankind a dis-service if I did not do something with my writing.

Children’s picture books and next will be inspirational books for adults.

I do not think I have anything typical in my life. I start my day reading inspirational material and I journal every day. I set aside certain days and times to write. When I get an idea, I stop everything and write.

The feedback I get, especially from children after I read them one of my books and the feedback I get from adults when I post an article or share with friends.