Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Born and raised in California, Janine currently lives in Minnesota. How did that happen? Well, shortly after moving to NYC, she met the love of her life while working as a field engineer at NYC’s LaGuardia Airport. Yes, she was a Civil Engineer by trade, but she was willing to trade it in to become an author, fitness instructor, and world traveler. Yes, she is smiling as she writes this because she is following her passions over pursuing a paycheck; it feels magical. So far, I have written 4 books; the first of the series has finally been published.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Most of Janine’s inspiration for her Sonder Lives saga came from Burning Man, her understanding of collected workspace “norms”, and her “so-far” very successful world-traveling expeditions. She enjoys writing speculative fiction; anything to do with warping time and diving into her inner curiosities of this universe gets her jellies all tingly.
Janine’s hope is that Sonder’s saga instills in all of its readers the curiosity about what our world would look like if we were 100% responsible for ourselves in our pursuit of happiness. This goes beyond self-discovery; this is a call to become your own black magic. Yes, one must go beyond their defined words if they are to ever discover this limitless world our “Sonder Lives”; see you there.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
As a first time author, I think this whole process was unusual. The habit thought to be the most peculiar was that stroke of genius that comes on the verge of falling asleep. The will to hang on and hammer out the last paragraph that sounds magical . . . until you wake up the next day and find out it makes no sense.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Brave New World and The Alchemist were huge influences for my book finding its voice.
What are you working on now?
Sonder Lives: Everything and Nothing
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I promote through Amazon, Instagram, and Facebook.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find your voice and hold onto it; once you find your voice, you will start to see that every form of writing you do, you will hear it. If you start becoming frustrated by edits and comments that people provide, congratulations; you are one step closer to owning what you wish to claim as your tone of voice.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Finish. Even if you think it’s crap; finish what you’ve started.
What are you reading now?
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
What’s next for you as a writer?
Cover design for my next 3 books; also I need to find an illustrator for my children’s book.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“How to Get Off a Desert Island Alive”, “Mindful Meditation”, “Learn Astral Projection”, and “You might Die on an Island”
Author Websites and Profiles
Janine Watkins Website
Janine Watkins Amazon Profile
Janine Watkins’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile