About Jan Porter:
I share the soul wisdom, magic and insights of our Ancestors through the ancient art of storytelling and self-counsel works. With the wisdom of everyday unsung heroes and the human condition, we carve a new path.
As a philosophical muse of human nature, quantum physics, spirit world and nature, I do not hold to any one particular tradition as one higher truth or one size fits all.
Viva la diversity!
Even as a young child, I recall being held captivated by the other-worldly magic of indigenous cultures, saints, mystics, shamans and Robert Service’s tales of the northern wilderness. As a teen, I found battered old copies of Voltaire’s ‘Candide’, Margaret Caven’s ‘I Heard the Owl Call My Name’ and anything spirit world that my adolescent soul hungered for. Inspired, I first scribbled then dabbled with typewritten short stories, articles and poetry founding a funky alternative secondary school newspaper ‘Cool School News’. After many years of work in Human Services, evening ferocious spiritual, quantum or philosophical studies engrossed while raising children (all much food for character and story seeds) followed by a long arduous post-secondary completion of world religions, philosophies and spiritual sciences, I completed a Spiritualist Minister’s Degree yet I do not follow any one traditional mindset.
During one life-defining year that turned into many years, I cocooned in a northern Ontario sanctuary and began to polish numerous stories, books and course materials that had long been in various stages of completion~ life is circular in nature, a re-visiting of beliefs and perspectives in an ever upward spiraling of growth.
At my age, I am a ‘been there and done that’ post menopause Nana. With all of the hubbub of spiritual gurus in the world, my heroes lean toward those more authentic ideals such as; my spirit world muses who consist of an ancient multi-cultural mystical sisterhood, angel guides, my Mother, Great Grandmother, family and friends. I admire the 13 Grandmothers as well as former social services clients, a medicine woman daughter and son who all live a life less ordinary.
There is still so much more to do, share, explore and discover with more self-counsel books, a handful of children’s stories and another novel in the works.
I am the Founder of Soul Works Gifting Foundation (ad hoc) and a proud member of; The Writer’s Union of Canada, the Mohawk College Alumni Association and the Bancroft Spiritual Centre.
Formerly published with Moose Hide Books, Canada.
Articles published in: Mosaic Magazine, Owen Sound Sun Times, Wiarton Echo News, Tobermory Press, Medium online, One Thousand Trees magazine, Link magazine and co-founder of Mystical Voices Magazine.
Published Books:
~ “The Way Out” my first published self help book for survivors, way back in 1993 by Whale Publications then via The Morris Pratt Institute, U.S.A., out of print and revised, became;
~ “Sacred Space, body mind soul after sexual abuse” and
~ “Life After Abuse, a practical healing guide for survivors”
~ “Peaceful Warrior, Annish’s journey” literary fiction novella first published with Moose Hide Books, Canada was revised and entitled;
“Peaceful Warrior Woman”, published via Amazon 2014
~ “Soul Skin” began way back in 2001, published via Amazon 2014
~ “SHARING: our stories, our selves, our success” – anthologies of empowerment stories that give voices to the challenges of life, as well as the transformation, hope and healing that is ours to receive, published One Thousand Trees
~ “Angel Guides, love communication”, self-counsel published via Amazon online 2014.
~ “Spiritual Biz, passion and fulfillment in a changing global community”
~ “Soul Calling, your angel guided life purpose”
~ “Izzy’s Ghost’s”, a literary fiction novel in progress
What inspires you to write?
I am always fascinated by;
– the human condition
– unsung (s)heroes – real people, real problems
– the spirit world.
Tell us about your writing process.
I typically only have the gist of each writing project ahead of time with absolutely no idea what details I am going to write until I am actually at my computer and the manuscript is open.
The gist of story pieces typically come through to me while I am driving or tending to other daily living activities; it is much like a movie is playing inside of my mind’s eye or I am actually in a surreal dream journey. When I am writing, it often feels more as though I am merely taking dictation, a scribe.
I suppose I am a ‘seat of the pants’ writer. I do not make story boards, however, I occasionally refer to a picture of what I think a character might look like.
My father and daughter are my listening audience, so I often find out bits as I am talking about what is currently unfolding in a story.
Writing is my personal ‘happy space’, it feels inspiring and it is always interesting.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Mostly, it feels like a movie playing within my mind’s eye and yes, I often do step into characters and role play.
What advice would you give other writers?
If you sincerely enjoy the act of writing, don’t ever give that happy space up. If you like to write, then you are a writer.
Growing up, I was an avid reader. Now, I rarely read anything trendy or new because I do not want to be influenced by others works.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
My first project was a self help book, with the intention to assist others in their journey.
My second published book was a novella, a story that grew out of campfire story time with my children. Having it published would be an extension of that experience, a living legacy.
My most poignant mentor was my former publisher at Moose Hide Books, Ontario.
I chuckle here, recalling that he had critically red ink scribbled on every page of that first manuscript draft. I recall our heated telephone debates on story issues. While his criticisms had seemed insurmountable criticism, I rose to the task and hence, thoroughly supported and encouraged to continue.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
While the online digital book world has exploded, I think hard covers and paperbacks will make a come back. Personally, I prefer to read a book in paperback form, in my hands, yet I am grateful for the choice.
I love the notion that more writers can simply upload a book online for immediate sale, although, online marketing and sales is often a very different skill set.
I hope to see a return of smaller publishing houses, for the personal service and team support.
What do you use?: Professional Editor
What genres do you write?: literary fiction, personal growth, spiritual, inspiration, metaphysics, visionary
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Jan Porter Home Page Link
Link To Jan Porter Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
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All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
