Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book?
Is it part of a series?
TRIANGULATING BLISS is a story of redemption, second-chances and how the
universe can work a little magic to make life more than we think possible when
we face difficult times. Greg Ellison is a recently returned veteran of
Afghanistan who struggles with the ghosts of war and what could have been as he
works to figure out what he wants next in life. After making a life-changing
decision, he learns about the apparent suicide of a local hero. The death is
attributed to a mysterious incident at a popular local restaurant. Greg
unexpectedly finds himself connected to it all and seeks to learn the truth
about Bliss. He meets with Lois, the owner of Bliss, and learns that others
have also experienced the “Bliss Triangle”.
Lois
reunites with the love of her life and learns that love never dies; a woman,
broken by life, sees how her life might be; a musician's wife stumbles upon her
own grave; a son, caring for his dying mother, learns that endings can be
beginnings; and a financial advisor with a shady past finds out how close he is
to losing everything.
All of their stories include one figure: a man
with dark hair, blue eyes, and a strong jaw.
Then, it’s Greg’s turn.
Greg’s encounter with the mysterious forces at
Bliss changes everything. He learns that what brought him to Bliss is not as it
appears and that the lives touched by Bliss are powerfully interconnected
across space and time.
TRIANGULATING BLISS combines elements of the
paranormal/supernatural with mystery and romance in a story of rebirth and
reconciliation for those who have already experienced some bumps in the highway
of life.
Originally,
TRIANGULATING
BLISS was due to me a one-off, standalone novel, but the characters,
beta readers, and my personal curiosity changed all of that. Now, TRIANGULATING
BLISS is Book 1 in the MYSTIQUE OF LIVING SERIES. Each book
will explore a component of what it takes to follow and find your bliss and
will highlight the story of characters introduced in TRIANGULATING BLISS. The
next installments, TRIANGULATING SELF and TRIANGULATING WISDOM will be
released in 2016.
What was the inspiration for your latest
book?
The idea for TRIANGULATING
BLISS snuck up on me in much the same way the characters are confronted
with the Bliss Triangle. I was holding the door for my friend as we were
leaving a restaurant in South Pasadena, California. I hadn’t thought about
fiction writing since college, which is to say it had been a couple of decades.
We had been talking about how we felt that our lives had gotten off course in
many ways. As I walked out the door the idea hit: “What if you could walk out a
random door and walk into your perfect life/reality?” I was immediately excited
and began chattering away to my friend about this “great story idea” that just
popped into my head. It was an amazing and nearly giddy moment for me that led
to a mind-boggling ride. In the two years that followed since that night I
experienced a lot including: a seemingly nonsensical 30-day challenge; the
characters taking over; the illness and passing of my dad; literary detours;
the death of my sister; a comical encounter with an agent; and more. In fact,
it was such a tale in itself, I put together a companion guide to the novel, THE
BACKDOOR TO BLISS, that includes the whole story there as well as
extras and bonuses not found in the novel. I’m a total book junkie, so the idea
of having a chance at a “Director’s Cut” or “Bonus Feature” to the novel was
interesting. It’s for those who enjoy the novel and want to learn more or
further extend the BLISS experience.
Do you have a favorite character?
In TRIANGULATING BLISS, Lois
is hands down my favorite character. She stole my heart as the owner of Bliss
Bar & Grill. She’s the type of woman I want to be when I reach my golden
years. Lois is full of life, joy, and wisdom even as she has weathered life’s
highs and lows. She also became one of the motivations for creating the Bliss
Challenge. In the novel, she discusses how she never really believed in
fairytales but also thought it would be amazing to serve as a fairy godmother
of sorts who could help grant people’s wishes while improving lives. That -
combined with some serious personal challenges while I was putting TRIANGULATING
BLISS together – led me to put together the Bliss Challenge to help
fund wishes for children facing medical challenges. I lost both my dad and my
sister, who was disabled and faced medical challenges of her own, during that
point. It is a fitting way to honor two important people in my life as well as
the character that captured my heart. 10% of the proceeds from TRIANGULATING
BLISS and 100% of the proceeds from the companion guide THE
BACKDOOR TO BLISS go to the Bliss Challenge and Make-A-Wish programs.
Readers even get the chance to vote where the funds go based on their favorite
characters in the novel.
Have you ever had a minor character
evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?
It’s funny because Lois was
the first character in TRIANGULATING BLISS to assert a
greater role in the overall narrative. When she came to life and told her tale,
the entire foundation for the novel changed. The original plan was for Greg to
be front and center, but I think that TRIANGULATING BLISS is almost as
much about Lois as it is about Greg. When the others started to clamor for
attention, it seemed that they all wanted to take the novel it a different
direction, but I was able to rein them in (though Phil as the “guardian of the
Bliss Triangle” continued to tempt and intrigue me). Then, my beta readers began to speak up for
the other characters too. That’s really how TRIANGULATING BLISS
became THE MYSTIQUE OF LIVING SERIES. In the follow up books, we’ll
learn more about Phil, Mikel and Damon, Henri and Sara, as well as Richard.
Did you try the traditional route to
publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?
Initially, I did attempt the
traditional route. I was told repeatedly that it was a well-written and
entertaining piece but the fact it was Magical Realism was a deal breaker.
“Magical Realism doesn’t sell,” I heard over and over again. That’s one reason
it is marketed more as a supernatural or visionary story with elements of
mystery and romance. I tend to shy away from saying paranormal, even though it
includes elements of the afterlife, simply because the genre is overwhelmed
with vampires, werewolves, and such which is not what TRIANGULATING BLISS is
about.
I am not alone in facing
those types of challenges. I came across Julianne MacLean’s COLOR OF HEAVEN
series and reached out to her to see if she had a similar experience given that
we write on similar themes. Even as a best-selling, proven author with representation
in place, her agent wasn’t able to convince the traditional powers that to
greenlight her series. I believe in my “Bliss Baby” and know it needs to be out
in the world, so I made it happen. That’s the beauty of today’s literary world.
‘No’ doesn’t mean ‘no way’ anymore. It just means that you have to have the
gumption to try ‘another way’.
How long before you got your offer of
representation/your first contract? Was it for your first novel?
My first book contract came
about as almost a fluke. I was working at pitching TRIANGULATING BLISS but
hitting roadblocks. I learned of a publisher who was looking for someone to
write a wine book and early Easter Sunday in 2014, I put together a
pitch/proposal. I was told that it would take a few weeks to hear from them,
but less than 24 hours later, I was signing my first book contract for WINE
FOR BEGINNERS. It was a tight schedule that required a 90 day turn
around, and no, there was no advance (the norm for lesser recognized authors,
unfortunately). It became a bittersweet day when I submitted the initial draft
to the publisher after a short extension. I didn’t really get the chance to
celebrate that accomplishment since my sister was rushed to the hospital hours
after I completed the submission. She died that night. Talk about an incredible
high and a tremendous low in less than 12 hours.
I call that my first book
contract even though I was already penning books as a ghostwriter by then. I
had rededicated myself to writing in earnest when my dad died New Year’s night,
and I was finding a way to make it happen as a ghost writer, a copy writer, as
well as beginning to embrace fiction writing for the first time in my life. It
was my writing that was probably the single most important reason that I was able
to get through one of the most challenging years of my life.
What kinds of marketing [twitter,
facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?
I do have a variety of
social media activities for my writing. I am active on Twitter (@JustJJWriting)
and engage with readers and book clubs through it. My Facebook page is growing
as well. The TriangulatingBliss.com website grew into something more than a
simple book site. Given the challenges I faced in 2014, I realized that the website
could be of greater service if it was dedicated to helping people in pursuing
their happiness and following their bliss. In that way, it also highlights what
is going on with the novel and the series as well as providing assistance to
others who want to live their bliss. Through the website, we are also growing
“TEAM BLISS” as well.
Too many authors focus on
social media as being the miracle for book sales, the reality is that it is
about relationship building rather than just ‘pimping’ you project. I have met
some wonderful people through social media and other websites like Goodreads,
but I work to extend interaction beyond likes and follows. I often participate
in book club meetings either in person or via phone/Skype to make connections
with current and potential readers. The information, both positive and
critical, is very useful and enlightening in continuing my projects. Also, I
keep postcards, business cards, and other swag with me all the time for my
various books and freely invite people in the real world to experience my
writing. There’s nothing more compelling than an invitation in the flesh
compared to one through the internet.
Do you find it difficult to juggle your
time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?
That balance is a beast for me. I tend to love the process of getting lost in
writing to the point of never obsession while I’m drafting. You can’t do that
anymore. You have to wear multiple hats and keep all the balls successfully in
the air. I’m lucky in that I spent time as an online marketer before I returned
to my writing, so the learning curve isn’t quite as steep for me, even if the
marketing landscape is constantly changing. It’s just as easy for me to get
lost in marketing as it is in writing, so I have to be vigilant in making sure
that I make myself to both. It helps that I have a publishing schedule for
myself to keep the big picture in front of me. I give myself specific tasks to
accomplish each day which helps me do all the juggling. The biggest challenge
isn’t the marketing or the writing, it’s actually making sure that I give
myself permission to take breaks from it all. With author-preneurs, I think it
is easy to lose yourself in everything that needs to get done. If you don’t
take care of yourself (including the ability to do nothing and simply rest and
zone out) it can silence the muse, which is the true death knell for a writer.
Besides writing, do you have any other
passions?
I have a very diverse
background. Some say that I’m eclectic, but that is sometimes code for
weird…which I hope I’m not. I love auto racing and even served as a motorsports
reporter and photographer - traveling the country covering NASCAR, Indy Car,
NHRA and such - for a while. There were some life demands that forced me to
give that up, but I still follow it all as much as I can. In fact, my reward
(of sorts) for finishing the draft of TRIANGULATING SELF, the next book in
the MYSTIQUE
OF LIVING SERIES, is attending a driving school here in Southern
California and doing some hot laps behind the wheel of a genuine race car.
I was bit by the travel bug
early in life, and I have traveled throughout Europe, Japan, Australia and of
course the United States. Most of my travels have been solo ventures, which can
be interesting as a female, but there is something to be said for the way you
can experience places without the distraction of others.
Some of my more mundane, or
every day, passions include food and wine. I use “cooking therapy” and
“grilling therapy” to reset after long days of writing, editing and marketing.
Up until 2000, I was a certified beer gal and then I went to my first wine
tasting party and a new obsession began. I have traveled to many of the world’s
wine regions and even was a finalist in the California Wine Tasting
Championship as a result. I now call all of that “research” since those
experiences helped lead to writing WINE FOR BEGINNERS. When I’m not
writing or cooking, I also like to escape to the beach to feed my surfer soul
or at least get in or near some water to unwind.
What’s next for you?
On the writing front,
there’s lots going on. TRIANGULATING SELF, the second book
in THE
MYSTIQUE OF LIVING SERIES, which is Phil’s story as the “Guardian of
the Bliss Triangle” is in the final drafting stages. It’s set for release next
spring/summer. My next project for release, WING DOG: SOUL PUP, is a
slight departure from the Mystique Series and is due out in March 2016. I call
it my “magical mutt memoir”, and it explores the bond with women’s best friend.
There is also a summer reading follow up to FLASH 40: LIFE’S MOMENTS
in the works, and that’s only the first half of the coming year! It’s a very
busy and exciting time, but I enjoy riding that wave.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Janelle Jalbert has
ghostwritten 15 nonfiction books on topics ranging from productivity, money
management, marketing, cooking, and relationships. She also worked as a
copywriter for some of the biggest online names and worked as a motorsports
reporter covering NASCAR. Jalbert enjoys bringing stories to life that
celebrate the magic in everyday living. To learn more about her current and
upcoming releases and promotions visit www.janellejalbert.com. Jalbert
currently lives in Southern California, though she regularly returns to her
second home in North Carolina when her pack of pups grants her a vacation.
The “Bliss Challenge” is an
effort to take the spirit of the novel’s beloved character, Lois, and help make
wishes come true. Ten percent of the proceeds from Triangulating Bliss and 100%
of the proceeds from the novel’s companion guide, The Backdoor to Bliss, will
be given to a Make-A-Wish program voted on by readers. Selections are based on
reader votes for their favorite characters: Los Angeles for Greg, Henri, and
Mikel; Chicago for Lois; Charlotte for Jen; and New York for Richard. The goal
is to grant at least one wish for a child in the winning city based on funds
raised from the novel and guide. Voting and challenge updates can be found at www.TriangulatingBliss.com/BlissChallenge
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