Interview with Jan Watson

Jan Watson won the 2004 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest for her first novel, Troublesome Creek. Her other awards include a nomination for the Kentucky Literary Award in 2006 and second place in the 2006 Inspirational Readers Choice Contest sponsored by the Faith, Hope, and Love Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. Willow Springs and Torrent Falls are the sequels to Troublesome Creek. Jan was a registered nurse for twenty-five years at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. She incorporated her nursing experience in the hospital’s mother/baby unit into her novels. Jan resides in Kentucky.

Tell us about Torrent Falls. What led you to choose to write this particular story as the final novel in your Troublesome Creek series?

Torrent Falls is the natural progression of the story line in my Troublesome Creek series. My main character, Copper Brown Corbett, is proof you can go home again.

What would you like readers to gain from reading your book?

I would hope that they are entertained for a moment in time and that my characters linger in their hearts. I pray this book in some small way strengthens their faith and draws them closer to God.

I know that an incident you heard about as a girl inspired you to write the first novel in this series, Troublesome Creek. Can you tell us a little bit about that story?

I was raised on a tobacco and dairy farm in northern Kentucky, but in the summers I would visit my grandmother who lived in the eastern Kentucky. Granny and I would sit in the porch swing in the shadow of the moutains breaking beans or shelling peas and Granny would tell me stories. When I was eight or so she told me the true story of a terrible flash flood. A young mother was caught in the flood and in trying to save herself she lost hold of her baby. The baby was never found. I carried that little one in my heart
for nearly 50 years until one day I asked myself, "Who would she be if she had lived?" Thus Copper Brown and the Troublesome Creek series came to life.

Many people hear family stories while they are growing up, but not all of those people go on to become writers of historical fiction. What other aspects of your life influenced you to become a writer?

My third grade teacher, Mrs. Mildred Chandler, taught me the love of reading. She read aloud to her students every morning before classes began in our one-room school. I haven't been without a book since. Many years later, reading led to writing.

What is your most memorable or humorous moment as a published author?

I suppose one momentous occasion was being asked to speak in place of Jerry B. Jenkins at Asbury College here in Kentucky. Mr. Jenkins plane was iced-in in Chicago and I was a last minute replacement only because I live close to the campus. His are big shoes to fill. As for humor this wasn't one bit funny at the time but now I can laugh. I was being interviewed about my first book on live radio. I was using the phone in my bedroom because it has the best reception. I was trying very hard to sound like a professional when my little dog jumped on the bed and
bgan to run laps around the mattress. When she was finished she leapt down and threw up on my feet! What can you do? I just kept on talking.

Your entry into the publishing world came through winning the Christian Writers’ Guild novel contest in 2004. That’s quite an achievement! How did you hear that you had won? Was there an adjustment and learning process as you entered the publishing world, or were you already prepared for what you encountered?

Come back tomorrow for the answer! Leave a comment for your chance to win Torrent Falls.