Monday, May 8, 2017

Meet the Blogger with Jan Cline





I've known Jan Cline since my early blogging days. Her blog is a lovely source of wisdom and encouragement. She is a kind and dedicated writer whose talents are far reaching. Jan's organized writer's conferences, is a popular speaker, and has published at least a half dozen books, including A Heart Out of Hiding, Simple Devotion, and The Emancipated Heart.

 

Welcome Jan! It's great to have you visit. Tell us, why did you start blogging? How long have you had your blog?


I started blogging several years ago as an extension of my passion for writing. Like many bloggers, I had a lot of ideas rolling around in my head, subjects I thought would be nice to connect with other people on. I also liked the idea of actually getting my writing out there for others to read and give me feedback. My current blog I have had for about five years. It has changed and morphed over those years as I change and pursue my writing career.


I think we've all changed our blog focus at some point, even in small ways. What is your blog about?


I have been told by some blogging experts that I should be blogging in accordance with what I write about in my books. But since I never have been good at doing what I’m told…I write about what is on my heart at the time. Sometimes I blog frequently and then I will go through a “dry spell” with post being less often. I think it’s important to blog about what’s important to you, and that may encompass many diverse topics.



That's good advice, and apparently is working well for you. :) What benefits have you gained through blogging?


Of course connecting with readers and receiving encouragement has been a great joy. I think blogging also sharpens my writing skills. I also have learned so much by checking out the blogs of my friends and acquaintances. There are so many great bloggers out there with fascinating topics and insights. There have been many times when I have passed along a link to a particularly good post to someone I know would enjoy it or be blessed by it.  


The blogging community is wonderful, isn't it? I doubt we'd have met without it - so I'm very grateful! What are you working on now?



As for blog posts, I have hopes of putting together a series on how history, mostly our family history, affects us, and how we can preserve our family history. I think it would be fun for my readers to know some of the things that have happened to me as I did research for a novel I’m writing based on a time in my mom’s life. I wish so much that I had gleaned more information from her while she was alive. I hope my readers might benefit from my experience. 



I released my first published novel, Emancipated Heart, in March of 2016 – a story of a family living in a Japanese American internment camp during WW2. It’s available on Amazon. A friend of mine designed the book cover and I was so pleased with how it turned out. My daughter-in-law now does book covers and she will likely do my upcoming projects. I’m currently working on a three book series starting with a 1930s women’s fiction, moving through WW2 with the story about my mom that I mentioned above.





It looks wonderful. Love the cover. I added it to my wish list. :) The series sounds interesting too. Please keep us posted. What might people be surprised to learn about you?


That I’m a great-grandmother. Very proud of that!


I'd never have guessed that. Congratulations! What advice would you share with a new blogger?


I’m sure they have heard lots advice on “write what you know”. I disagree with that philosophy. I believe in stretching your wings and exploration of topics that interest you but you might not know much about. I suppose that comes from my love of research, but sticking with only what you know doesn’t give you the opportunity to grow and share more with your readers.


That's good advice. There's much potential to learn and grow as writers. Thank you for visiting with us this week. Wishing you blessings galore, writing and otherwise!

Thank you!


More About Jan


Jan is an author, speaker, and former writer’s conference director. She speaks at women’s groups and writer’s groups and conferences in the region. She published her first novel in 2016, a historical/women’s fiction set in a Japanese American internment camp during WWII. She is currently working on another novel, the first in a series, set in the depression era during America’s Dust Bowl devastation. Jan is the mother of 3 and grandmother to 8. She loves teaching, crafting, golf, and remodeling their cabin on a lake in Idaho. 


Find Jan

Twitter
Her Books
Website
Facebook

What are you reading and writing this week? Do you have any questions for Jan? 

Happy writing,
Karen 



Photo credit: Free Images

30 comments :

  1. Hi Karen - good to meet Jan ... and she has some wise advice - I'm not good at conforming either ... just like the two of you I don't go off the rocks! I've loved blogging and learnt a great deal from (now) friends in the blogosphere ... your stories sound as though they are and will be fascinating. I have an interesting family - both parents' families and other links out ... and my intention is to write something up ... going backwards ... as I enjoy history, and I can put in family, story, art without advertising it's directly family ... it is in the distant pipe line .. cheers to you both - Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary, Having an interesting family can be a rich source of writing ideas. I hope someday you can compile stories to share with the world. It's good to laugh and cry with each other over what life has dealt us. Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Jan does not look like a great grandmother!
    My blog has changed over the years, but I've always blogged about what I enjoy.

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    1. Aw...thank's Alex. Photographers can do wondrous things! Good for you to blog about your interests!

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  3. I agree with Alex. Jan does not look like a great grandmother at all. Her book sounds really interesting. And yes, my blog has changed over the years too. We learn as we go what works and that changes too as the blogging community changes.

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    1. Thanks Natalie! I agree that we learn as we go. That's one of the great things about blogging, it's a blank slate! Blessings!

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  4. I blog about publishing and promoting, the subject of one of my books, but blogging on the topics of my NA/YA series wasn't as successful. We have to blog on what works best for us.

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    1. Yes, Diane, I agree. Some topics work and some don't. It's interesting to follow the stats on certain posts to see what your particular audience wants to read. Keep doing what works!

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  5. Hilary,
    I think we all need to find our own way in blogging, and while there are similarities, there are differences too for each of us. Your family history sounds like it would be a treat to read. I'll stay tuned! :)


    Alex,
    I know, a great grandmother, wow! Very cool. :) You're right, we need to enjoy what we're blogging about. What's the point otherwise?


    Natalie,
    I know - I was surprised to hear that one! :) Seems our blogs, as well as the blogging community is every changing. Sort of like life, right?

    Diane,
    This is so true. Blogging needs fit what we do and who we are, for sure. :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  6. Thanks Jan for opening up that we don't have to write about what we know! Maybe it's more about what interests us, rather than what we know so we can expand and learn more about our world. Great interview Karen!

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    1. Hi Lynn. I think too, we need to keep an open mind and be informed about what's going on in the world. Topics change, trends change, audiences change and grow. Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. Hi Karen and Jan! I love the fact that Jan writes about what she wants on her blog. It can get boring writing about the same things all the time. Like Lynn mentioned, maybe it is more about what's of interest to us? Writing is such a beautiful gift, and Jan, you have been very successful at it. Thank you for encouraging us all here!
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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    1. My pleasure, Ceil. I agree about growing weary of writing on the same topic. I think maybe if you are an expert in a certain field that is ever changing, you could pull it off. But for me, I'm interested and curious about too much to stick to one thing. : )Thanks for commenting.

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  8. Karen: Thank you for letting us know about Jan. I find her attraction to WW11 and prior times in our history interesting. I am refining the copy of my meditation collection. I have an appointment tomorrow morning with our pastor to talk about a play we would like to present to our congregation this fall. I am reading Fervent, a book on prayer.

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    1. Good for you and your diversity! Best wishes on what you're doing.

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  9. I believe doing what you feel good doing and are passionate about is the key to being happy and often leads to success. I enjoyed meeting you here today, Jan. I'll stop by your blog and say hi.

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    1. Ah, yes...passion is key to making a success out of what you do. Thanks for reminding us! Please do stop by my blog. Thanks for your comment.

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  10. Nice to meet you Jan. I think stretching your wings is a great way to expand the brain cells too! 'Write what you know' is very limiting.

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    1. Ah, yes...and I can always use more brain cells. Good point, and so true. Thank you.

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  11. Lynn,
    Thanks a bunch! Expanding our world and learning - this is such a good thing. :)

    Ceil,
    There's so much truth here, isn't there? Good to not lose sight of it and stay true to ourselves! :)

    Cecelia,
    You will probably like her book, then. I'm looking forward to reading it too. :) All the best with the play!

    Lee,
    This is so true! :) Glad you got to meet Jan!

    Holly,
    Expanding those brain cells is always a good thing, I agree! :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  12. "sticking with only what you know doesn’t give you the opportunity to grow and share more with your readers." I so agree with this statement of Jan's. We need to stretch our brain muscles and learn new things every day.

    I've had the privilege to meet Jan; she's a lovely Christian lady and very creative!
    Jen

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    1. Good to see you here, Jeanette. It's been a long time! Hope you are well and writing lots!

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  13. Hi Karen,
    Thanks for hosting Jan. I always enjoy visiting your blog and reading about the experiences of other bloggers. Like Jan, I've gone through dry spells when I haven't blogged as often as I hoped. It's good to know other bloggers feel the same way.

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    1. Hi Donna. It is good to network with other bloggers and know that we aren't alone in our struggles and victories! Thanks for stopping by.

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  14. Jen,
    I know, love that quote! That's one to remember. How cool is it that you met Jan in person! It is a small world, for sure. :)

    Donna,
    You're welcome. It's my pleasure. :) Dry spells, I think we all have them, but we don't talk about them much. We probably should a bit more, right? :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  15. Great interview, Karen. Thanks for introducing us to Jan and her books. I'm off to look up her blog and her books now ...

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    1. Hi Ruth, Glad to have you stop by my blog and check out my books. Blessings!

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    2. Ruth,
      Thank you! It was a pleasure to host Jan this week. I think you may enjoy her books!
      Happy weekend,
      Karen

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  16. it's great to meet Jan. Good luck with Emancipated Heart and with your blog!

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  17. Thanks for stopping by, Stephen! Glad that you got to meet Jan. Have a great week!
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!