Meet and Greet is a regular feature on my blog. Be forewarned…Unlike the typical interview, these brief questions will get to the true heart of my guests…or at least the heart of what’s in their kitchen. Grab a latte (or other beverage of your choice), find a comfy chair, and prepare to make a new friend.
I’m so thrilled to welcome Janice Thompson as my guest today! I first met Janice through her book, Fools Rush In (the first in her Weddings by Bella series), and let me tell you…I laughed my way through it. She has a gift for humor therapy, and I was excited to meet her in person and see firsthand what a sweet, godly woman she is. Her newest book sounds fabulously fun, so I hope you’ll keep reading for details.
She got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. Janice has published nearly eighty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more. She particularly enjoys writing light-hearted, comedic tales because she enjoys making readers laugh. In addition, she enjoys public speaking and mentoring young writers. Award-winning author Janice Thompson also writes under the pseudonym Janice Hanna. Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. Her tagline, “Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters!” sums up her take on life. She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. She does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all. You can find out more about Janice at www.janiceathompson.com or www.freelancewritingcourses.com.
—–
Welcome, Janice! You’re one busy lady, so let’s get right to the questions. 
Opener Question: What seven words best describe you?
Quirky, fun, loyal, adventurous, disciplined, determined, passionate
Either/Or Questions:
1) Rio de Janeiro or Venice? Venice! Oh my goodness! I’ve always wanted to travel to Italy. I planned to go in 2006 but it didn’t work out. One of the highlights of the trip would’ve been our stop in Venice. Gorgeous!
2) Fred Astaire or Cary Grant? Seriously? I have to choose? I’m a musical theater gal, so I’ll have to go with Fred, but ONLY because you’ve painted me into a corner.
3) Convertible or Jeep? I own a Jeep Liberty. ‘Nuff said?
4) Grilled hamburgers or Shish kebabs? Hamburger! I’m currently on a diet, but in my dreams I long for a big, thick juicy burger with cheddar cheese, bacon, mayo, pickles and lettuce. Yum! Oh, and can we add a thick, rich chocolate shake and some fries?
5) Bugs Bunny or Tweety Bird? Bugs Bunny! He gave me hours of pleasure as a child. “W-w-what’s up, Doc?” Love it!
6) Strawberry angel food cake or Chocolate pound cake? Strawberry angel food cake. It’s one of the few things I can eat on my diet, so I lean on it! Yum! I love chocolate cake, too, but have never had chocolate pound cake. (Did I mention that I bake cakes for weddings and birthday parties? See photo above left.)
7) On the beach or In the spa? Oy. Another tough choice. I love the beach. Just spent a week in Galveston. (See photo) Those who read my “Weddings by Bella” series know that I’m nuts about Galveston. I also set another book there (Hurricane, written in 2004).
—–
Wow, Janice, that beach vacation looks wonderful! I’ve never been to Galveston, but I loved visiting it through Bella’s eyes. And goodness, that description of the hamburger, fries, and shake just gave me a hankering for a meal at Steak n Shake. But since I’m on a diet too, I may have to spring for something a bit healthier. Maybe I can sneak in a French fry and justify it by taking a turn around the dance floor with Fred Astaire (in my dreams, of course).
Thanks so much for being my guest today! What a joy to have you here.
—–
Tia Morales is used to calling the shots. She’s the director of the popular sitcom Stars Collide, and her life on set is calculated and orderly. Well, most of the time. But her life outside the studio is another matter. If only she could get her family to behave as well as her stars do! When she starts butting heads with handsome camera operator Jason Harris, it’s enough to send a girl over the edge. Will she ever learn to let go and take life–and love–as it comes?
Full of the humor and crazy family dynamics Janice Thompson fans have come to love, this colorful story gives readers an inside look at Hollywood and a healthy dose of romance.
—–
Blog Readers: Let’s talk…Since I need help curbing this craving for burgers and fries, what’s your favorite diet-friendly food? Or if you’re too focused on the burger like I am, how about toppings? What’s your favorite way to dress up a hamburger?
—–
*Giveaway Details: Janice has offered to give away a copy of The Director’s Cut! All you have to do is leave a comment. (For extra entries, you can Tweet or share this post on Facebook…I’ll add an extra entry for each. Just make sure to mention it in your comment.) Winner will be announced in next Monday’s post. Good luck!
**The winner of last week’s Keli Gwyn giveaway is Gina Conroy! I’ll contact you this week with details.
Thank you, Sarah, for helping us to get to know Janice a little better! I enjoy meeting and getting to know other writers. As far as burger toppings go, I love lettuce and tomato, a little mayo, and just a sliver of red onion.
Have a great week!
Lettuce and tomato are a must for me too, Karen. Glad you enjoyed the interview!
Nice to meet you, Janice! Wow, 80 published books…I hope and pray I’m there sometime!
And Sarah, I know this is simple, but my favorite diet-friendly food is fruit…especially in the summer. I love throwing it (esp. strawberries and blueberries!) on a green salad with some reduced-fat feta and fat-free poppyseed dressing. Yum.
Yum, Lindsay! I’m a huge fan of feta and berries on salad. And I know…80 books, right? Amazing.
Fun interview!!
I love snap peas. Not only one of my favorite “diet” foods, but one of my favorite foods in general.
I love it when diet foods are a fave no matter what the scale says, Melissa.
Thanks for the interview, Sarah!
I love Janice’s Hamburger…I just might add a couple of large dollops of mayo!
Mayo on a burger is sooo good, isn’t it, Heidi?
Janice,
I’ve been to Venice and my dream is to get there again some day soon!
And I love Cary Grant just a wee bit more than Fred Astaire — although I’m a huge musical fan too.
I’m a gluten-free fan and I can finally have a burger w/ everything at Red Robin because they have decent gluten-free buns. I don’t like the fact that they charge you an extra dollar for the bun, but oh well …
Hooray for gluten-free buns, Beth!
Great interview!
I’m not so good at the diet foods, though. I try to snack on light popcorn at home instead of the chips and fries and when eating out, I’ll eat the burger but forgo the bun—-do you know how much butter they slather on before toasting??? Lol
Popcorn is such a great snack, Brenda, especially with a little less butter than usual.
Oh….And I’m sharing on my FB blog and twitter!
Janice is so accomplished! And I laugh my way through her books, too
The new book sounds great!
Diet foods? Oh…I SHOULD be eating diet foods but I actually had a cheeseburger yesterday. However, I just learned how to make my own California rolls at home, so those will at least be a step up and they’re yummy!
Yum, Cindy! I want to know your recipe for California rolls.
Great interview, ladies! I’ve seen Janice around the Net and would love to win her book.
Diet food? Popcorn!
Doesn’t her book sound great, Susan? I’ve got you entered in the drawing.
hi janice and sarah! lovely meet n greet this week.
sarah, for fry replacements….try pita chips with roasted bell pepper humus. yum.
i got to read the first book in janice’s series….and loved it! i’d love to read this one as well.
thanks!
Jeannie, I just discovered a pita chip that I love, with cinnamon. It’s like a healthy, crunchy version of an elephant ear. Now I have to restrain myself from eating too much of it…otherwise, it wouldn’t be diet food anymore.
Fun interview. Janice, I love that you would go with Fred. I could dance on heavenly lights with him forever.
I’ve been going to a local farmer’s market, and we have a guy who makes vegetable chips. I’m addicted to them. They are so good, low cal, and not fried. Yum!
I’m still trying to find a local farmer’s market near me, Loree. I think I may have found one I’m going to try out soon. I love local food.
I like to keep my burgers simple. Cheese, lettuce, tomato and ketchup. What a great and fun interview!
Sometimes simple is best, isn’t it, Amy?
Thanks for stopping by!
Sweet! I’ve enjoyed “meeting” all of you! Thanks for hosting me, y’all, and thanks for the kind words about my books.
Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to swing by, Janice!
i love the salad w/ strawberries & blueberries w/ fat-free poppyseed dressing…i think i will add grilled chicken to it, too
a great posting/interview…looking forward to reading janice’s latest novel
Yum, Can I have some of that salad, Karen?
Sounds wonderful.
Mmmmm I love Five Guys. Sounds like just the thing you two need.
I get a little bacon cheeseburger with lettuce, extra pickle, raw onion and BBQ sauce. So good!!
BBQ sauce on a hamburger? That sounds amazing, Stephanie.
My husband makes this salad with black beans, rice, cooked onions, lettuce and any other veggies you want on it. Great summer dish!
Yum, Stacy, That salad sounds amazing! You can bring it to my house any time you feel so led.
Diet snack? Popcorn made by my handy-dandy Whirly-Pop. And definitely a pimento cheese burger.
Nothing beats homemade popcorn, does it, Marney? I’ve gotten sucked into the “convenience” of microwave popcorn, but it’s just not the same.
Dressed up hamburger? It’s got to be big fat slice of juicy tomato with a sprinkle of Nature’s Way seasoning. Yum, just had it tonight. Now to find a copy of this book to enjoy! Thanks for sharing.
)
Especially a slice of tomato straight from the garden, right, Anne? I haven’t heard of Nature’s Way seasoning…I may have to go Google it.