Even if you're the type who thinks of romance novels as unrealistic fantasy drivel-the offensiveness enhanced by a cover with Fabio's hair swaying and pecs bulging-I would make the case that you still root for love in whatever genre of books and movies you prefer. Something deep inside us can't help loving an authentic love story. The movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith, starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, is a perfect example and one of my favorite … [Read more...]
CREATED is a Romance Adventure Story that Blends Science and Faith—Janice Boekhoff’s ‘Earth Hunters’ Series Gets A New Look!
Book Two in Janice Boekhoff's 'Earth Hunters' Series is Available with a Fresh New Look He sent up a quick prayer for strength. Lying close to Lenaia would be a temptation of epic proportions. In a pulse-quickening blend of science, romance, and faith, paleontology professor Travis Perego finds himself on the verge of a discovery that could redefine his career and test his fragile new beliefs. Following the painful loss of his sister, Travis … [Read more...]
Author Janice Boekhoff: Do NOT Fear
Often I write about fear. I think it’s one of the most universal human emotions. Fear helps us to learn vital lessons like don’t touch the stove when it’s hot or don’t run a red light because you’ll probably cause an accident. But fear can easily consume us. In my recent novel, Created, Paleontologist Travis Perego is tortured by fear. Fear of losing his job. Fear that beautiful Lenaia is hiding things from him. And fear of finding out the … [Read more...]
Author Janice Boekhoff: When Dealing with Writers …
Do you think us writers are just a little bit weird? You wouldn’t be the first. We spend hours behind a keyboard figuring out how best to torture dozens of people who don’t actually exist. It’s no wonder that many writers turn to alcohol to cope with the horrors they’ve put on the page. But don’t worry about me, alcohol is not my problem. Like many sober authors, I’m addicted to story. And there’s no denying that God made me this way. So … [Read more...]
Setting Spotlight: Costa Rica
One of the biggest perks an author gets is visiting the location where a novel is set. For Book Two in the Earth Hunters series, Created, I had to hunt for the perfect location. The plot required several special conditions for the setting: Plenty of room for a mysterious dinosaur-like creature to run around and cause trouble, yet stay hidden. A volcano and jungle close to each other so I could bring together my main characters, … [Read more...]
Janice Boekhoff: One Writer’s FAQ
When people find out I’m an author, I get two reactions. One: “Wow, that’s great!” Followed by many questions of what and how I write. Two: “Oh.” Followed by a subtle eye roll and somewhat condescending questions about how easy it must be to use my writing to get rich without doing much work. Thankfully, the first reaction is much more common, so I thought I would write up the answers to the questions I’m most often asked. That way the … [Read more...]
Author Janice Boekhoff Tells Her Secret to Being Able to “Write Through the Fear”
No one would ever tell you to write out of fear (except maybe Stephen King), but for much of my life I wrote, or rather didn’t write, because of fear. As a kid growing up in the Midwest, I had many answers to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Wanting to be a veterinarian or archaeologist were safe things to admit. Things people would understand. But I had something else buried deep in the hidden part of my heart. A … [Read more...]
Romantic Suspense Author Janice Boekhoff Gives Six Humorous Writing Dos and Don’ts
Have you ever wondered how writers endure hours of solitude, 1,001 rejections, a myriad of bad reviews, and even worse insecurities? The not-so-surprising answer is humor. If we didn’t laugh at this writing life, we would go crazy. So, here are some humorous dos and don’ts to lighten up the writing life and help those of you who don’t write to understand what makes writers just a little bit different. 1. Don’t shred your first rejection … [Read more...]
CREVICE Author Janice Boekhoff’s “Behind the Scenes: Is Setting a Character in Itself?”
I’ve heard many writers say that setting is just the place where your story happens. In a literal sense, this is true. Every character I dream up needs a place to lay their head at night, a place to fight for, and a place to fight with other people. But I’ve always thought setting should do more than provide a bed (or as in many of my novels, a sleeping bag) for my characters. I wrote the first several drafts of Crevice before visiting the … [Read more...]
Suspense Author Janice Boekhoff: Are Writing and Storytelling the Same Thing?
All of us who write love to pour our words onto the page in new and different ways. We strive to get just the right image, just the right tone, just the right nuance. But are these efforts in vain? Has anyone ever recommended a book because of the tone? Sometimes when I get book recommendations from friends, this is what it sounds like: Friend: You’ve got to read this book by so-and-so (name withheld because I don’t want to get sued … [Read more...]
