Janelle Schiecke
What made you decide to become a writer?
I’ve always loved reading and how powerful words can be. The ability to write and elicit strong emotions from readers is almost magical. You’re connecting words in order to create depth and immersion and painting a visual picture. I have always been an avid reader with a boundless imagination. This was eventually inspiration to share my own stories with the world.
How do you decide your plots?
My plots are largely inspired by the horror movies I watch and the dreams I have (dreams that are definitely more nightmarish in nature). I enjoy taking my favorite horror tropes and putting my own spin on them. Since the excitement is already there, fleshing out the story becomes more natural and enjoyable. Whenever I wake up from a vivid dream, I reach for my phone and jot down as much as I can remember.
What comes first for you – the plot or the characters?
The plot comes to me first, because I want to know what situation I’m throwing my characters into. Once I have the plot down, I create suitable characters that will help to drive the story forward. Their personalities, fears, and aspirations all play a part in how the story unfolds.
What is your favourite genre to write in?
I love to write horror, because fear is such a powerful emotion. We’ve all experienced fear in some way or another, and so taking this emotion and adding in familiar situations increases the tension and dread. Whether I’m writing about a road trip or a summer cabin rental, these are very much real-life experiences people can connect with. I’ve been a horror fan all my life, so writing this genre is fun for me. I know it well, and there’s really so much you can do with horror. The options are endless and delightfully terrifying.
Did you need to do research for your book? If so, how much did you do, how did you do it?
Since I write horror, I enjoy elaborating on the five basic senses, and of course indulging in how it feels when the sixth sense lights up as well. This could mean researching what it sounds like when certain bones crack, how certain textures feel, and what a particular scene would look like. Invoking colors, sounds, taste, and touch is so pertinent to making your story that much more immersive for a reader. You want them to really feel as if they are experiencing everything right along with the characters.
Is writing therapeutic for you, or does it cause you to stress out?
Writing is very much therapeutic for me, because I’m able to tap into my imagination and leave the real world for a while. If I’m stressed out, sometimes I will sit and write a very intense scene and this helps to process my thoughts and emotions. When I’m feeling a sense of ease, my writing can take on a poetic tone.
It’s very interesting how your emotions play into a writing session, and fun to discover what words will flow each time you sit down to write.
How do you market your books?
I am very active on social media, and this has worked well for me. My marketing is very much building connections with others and word of mouth. I thoroughly enjoy connecting with others, and of course when they are interested in reading one of my books this is wonderful! When you self-publish, I feel your brand is very much your personality, and it’s important to be genuine in how you present yourself as well as how you interact with others.
I market them this way because, especially as a self-published author, it’s very important to connect with readers and fellow authors. This helps to get your work out there and to build camaraderie and trust within your community.
You can find a lot more info about Janelle on her website: www.janelle.com
