The Edge of Too Late – Author Interview

Interview with Jan Sikes

Where did your love of books and reading come from?

My love of books comes from as far back as I can remember. I got so excited when I first figured out how to decipher words, and that started with the Dick and Jane readers in 1957. I grew up in a house without a TV or other outside forms of entertainment, so reading was not only my single source of entertainment but also where I learned about so many places and things I’d never have known. I am still an avid reader! Over my lifetime I must have read thousands of books.

What cultural value do you see in books?

I see a HUGE cultural value in books, whether they are fiction or non-fiction. Storytelling is an ancient art and has been around as long as there have been humans. It gives the reader a different perspective, a thrill, a jolt or a new experience. I often see the quote, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.”

What do you think most characterizes your writing?

My byline is “Jan Sikes writes compelling stories from the heart.” That truly describes all of my stories. They come from the heart, and almost all have some aspect of love to them, whether it’s past, present, or future. Love is what truly makes the world turn.

How do you decide if your main character(s) will be male or female?

Almost all of my stories (especially the novels) have dual main characters. There is a male and female protagonist. However, I do tend to tell the majority of the story in one POV. Sometimes, it’s the male and sometimes the female. They let me know what their role should be in the storytelling process.

How important are names to you in your books? How do you choose names?

To me, names are super important. They help convey the character’s personality. I make sure not to choose names that start with the same letter of the alphabet or names that sound alike. I do that as a courtesy to the reader and to add the uniqueness of each character. When a name isn’t right, I work with it until I get it right. In my first fiction novel, Ghostly Interference, I couldn’t settle on the right name for my male character. So I wound up talking with his mother, and she told me a story about his name that gave me another short story to write. So, you never know, but names are super important!

Do you now or have you ever considered writing under a pen name? Why or why not?

Because my first books were true stories, I never considered a pen name. Now, I think about it, but it would be way too hard to try and reestablish myself under a new name. I do think fiction writers should consider a pen name to start with.

What do you like to read in your free time?

I love reading any and everything! The only genre I steer away from is graphic horror. I am too sensitive to keep myself separated from what’s going on. I also don’t read a lot of erotica but I don’t avoid it like I do horror. My favorite genres to read are suspense, psychological thrillers, romance, mystery, and fantasy.

What projects are you working on at the present?

I am currently working on a new series of historical fiction. These are the first stories I’ve written that weren’t set in Texas. My mother was born in Missouri, so I chose that state for these stories. The Bargainer Series will consist of three books (maybe four), and each book will be centered around a desperate or forced bargain. The first book, A Beggar’s Bargain, will publish in March 2024. This differs from anything I’ve ever written, and the biggest challenge has been the time period. The 1940s were way different, and I’m finding that I have to do lots of research.