About Author

Jan Ezelle

Jan Ezelle
BIOGRAPHY

Jan Ezelle is a graduate of The Institute of Children’s Literature.

When asked if there were any part of "Legend of the Dewberry Harvester" that represented her, Jan stated, “The main character, I suppose. He reminds me of myself in some ways. He had to overcome fears and obstacles during his adventure, whereas I’ve dealt with much the same, living with slight speech impairment due to hearing loss and Retinitis Pigmentosa, a slow, progressive form of blindness. So, just as 'he' stepped out of his home to face his fears and obstacles, I’m stepping out to overcome my fears by trying to accomplish something I’ve never done before.”

“I had written pretty good short stories and essays while in high school,” Jan continued. “But I didn't seriously consider becoming a writer at that time because my eyesight was okay and so I occupied myself with other interests. But with the deterioration of my sight as I got older, I realized writing was the only thing I had to fall back on which inspired me to take a writing course with The Institute of Children's Literature. My writing now serves me as a way of being productive with my life while contributing to society in a positive way.” 

“The lesson I have learned from writing this novel, is that it stands as a message to those who feel they suffer some sort of disability,” Jan said. “No one should let obstacles—or fear—stand in the way of achieving their dreams. Rather than focus on what I couldn’t do, I had to focus on what I could do.”

While her first novel now ranks top stars + Silver Star with Readers Favorites, Jan plans to pursue other writing interests for both children and adults.

Other:
Beautifully illustrated animation now leaps off the pages onto Jan's story mugs, blankets and pillows...

http://jansnestofthings.com
http://jansnestofthingsextended.com

Jan Ezelle's Books

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Book
$9.99 kindle Free with KUeBook, Paperback, Signed Paperback,
Legend of the Dewberry Harvesterby Jan EzellePublish: Oct 22, 2021Action & Adventure Fantasy Teen & Young Adult Children's

Jan Ezelle Interview On 12, Jun 2023

"Jan Ezelle is an author and graduate of The Institute of Children's Literature. Despite facing personal challenges, she has embraced her writing talent as a means of overcoming obstacles and contributing to society. She found inspiration for her writing in the protagonist of her novel, "Legend of the Dewberry Harvester," as she saw reflections of herself in his journey. Through her writing, Jan continues to inspire others to overcome challenges and pursue their passions without reservation."
What are some obscure children’s books that you enjoyed reading yourself?

There have been many children's books that I've enjoyed, but my favorite, is the old classic, “Charlotte’s Web”. In fact, it was through E.B. White’s ‘Writing with Style’ techniques that I was able to create “Legend of the Dewberry Harvester”.

Were you like Brewnie at the age of 9?

I probably picked on a few ant mounds at that age instead. (laugh)

No, I don't think I was like the main character then. It wasn't until later in life that I've had to overcome my fears and obstacles, dealing with living with slight speech impairment (due to hearing loss at a young age), and later, Retinitis Pigmentosa, a slow progressive form of blindness. And while the condition, more or less confined me to my home, I realized writing (while I still have some sight, thank goodness) was the only thing I had to fall back on which inspired me to take a writing course with The Institute of Children's Literature. My writing now serves me as a way of being productive with my life while contributing to society in a positive way.

Please let me clarify that while the main character is a nine-year-old, the novel maybe geared more for readers of ten-year-olds and up. Although there have been reviews by younger readers, some parents/teachers may be concerned about the genre's upper-level vocabulary, and hard-to-pronounce words. While this has been a concern for me as a writer, I was able to supplement the tale of characters helping Brewnie learn to say these words correctly and understand what each means, including a discussion of life's nature around him—a technique I felt would teach a young reader (or of any age) while also engaging in an exhilarating adventure along the way.

Which is your fondest memory from the time you have spent at The Institute of Children’s Literature?

That memory would be the challenge I've had to face at the end of the semester—that final moment to "come up with a book". That credential would render a diploma in my hand. And after a couple of years into the course, I'm like, "Yikes, already?"

I had no idea what to write about. Nor, did I realize my sudden interest would fall upon nature. A deadline was near, and great anxiety soon surfaced. After pecking around on my laptop a while, I decided to break away, step out and seek the warm, welcoming sunshine—where I spotted 'him', a single ant, all alone, wandering across my patio.

Ants, a strange topic to pen about indeed, a rare one at that! Isn't that what a writer does, allow his mental eye to reel a bit? While there are other stories about the six-legged critters, this ant’s nature sent my curiosity into overdrive. Why was he alone? Where was he going? Where were his family—or followers, like I had seen before?...

After doing some research and finding the answers to those burning questions, I discovered that a harvester ant, as tiny as it is, and as insignificant as most of us consider it, has a very complex life that mirrors our own (Yes, it's like us/humans in many ways!) With this newfound knowledge, my imagination began to move me. Alas, a legend was born.

What or who helped you overcome your fears and obstacles living with slight speech impairment?

I can recall that while my sister and I were kids, we had gone to visit one of our cousins to play in her backyard. Another little one came over to join us, and as soon as she heard my voice, "Why do you talk like that?" she asked, wide-eyed.

"Because I'm from another country!" I blurted, hands on my hips. (laugh)

She must've been amazed at that, because we immediately clicked together, and had the best time. (smile)

Not only had my impaired speech been that obvious to kids, but the hearing-aid sitting on my ear made them want to question me as well. Hearing-aids were rare amongst the kids I grew up with. Although I realized as I got older, kids were just being kids, and it was in their nature to be curious. Still, those days stuck with me, and fostered a self-consciousness that often caused me to withdraw and refrain from mingling in groups or engaging in conversations.

Not the best position for a storyteller to be in, is it?

I've learned to simply 'warn' others that I have speech impairment, just so that when i open my mouth it won't surprise anyone! (laugh)

Honestly, my speech has drastically improved, so I've been told. However, there are still some word pronunciations that I have trouble with today.

Later in life, came the Usher Syndrome, which produces hearing-loss combined with a degenerative eye-disease, resulting in blindness, called Retinitis Pigmentosa.

While I've had my moments dealing with the eye disease, I often go back, remembering what God revealed...

More... (Excerpt taken from the Legend of the Dewberry Harvester: https://leadpageplus.com/bp/1126 )

When writing the main character of your book, "Legend of the Dewberry Harvester", how much of yourself did you put into Brewnie?

It was through the course, I learned how to 'pen' my fears and obstacles upon a little critter named Brewnie. He had to overcome fears and obstacles during his adventure, whereas I’ve dealt with much the same, living with the conditions mentioned above. So, just as Brewnie stepped out of his mound to face his fears and obstacles, I’m stepping out to overcome my fears by trying to accomplish something I’ve never done before.

However, through my newsletter, I share how I've learned to deal with my limitations by shedding my fears through writing, and hope it will be an inspiration for others who are experiencing some sort of limitations themselves...

More... (Excerpt taken from the Legend of the Dewberry Harvester: https://leadpageplus.com/bp/1126 )

What was the most useful advice you got while taking the writing course with The Institute of Children's Literature?

I am truly grateful for my mentor, Rubie Saunders, who I've acknowledged in my novel. Like most first-time writers, I felt the need to write "flowery" phrases. Which, led Ms. Saunders to express the importance of nurturing my 'writing with style', especially eliminating my habit of using 'strung-together' words. Her greatest advice that stuck with me: "Simple language can be colorful, too."

Did you expect your first novel to gain Silver Star with Readers' Favorites?

No, I didn't—I was really surprised! (smile). Also, my legend later received 4 stars with the Online Book Club. I have other reviews by young children, even adults, who have found the legend entertaining and educational. One reviewer commented that he would like to see this story made into an animated movie (made me smile!). However, I would love to see more and more reviews by others. This would greatly serve to help me see what improvements may require, if any, toward future projects.

What literary classics do you keep returning to?

I will answer both 8 and 9 questions as one...

I'm an avid reader of the mostly adult mystery and Christian genre. However, while penning my work for children, I would usually review other children's classics, and as you've seen, "Charlotte's Web" has been my favorite. I think it would also be a great read for children, that while the little ones are usually amazed with animals and nature, the story not only teaches to have a kind heart toward the animals and nature around them, but how everyone can come together as a team in order to help a friend, which also served to inspire a similar idea present in my legend.

In what way do style and plot relate to each other?

My style for the illustrative "Legend of the Dewberry Harvester" is purposely very descriptive, colorful. Through the knowledge I obtained via some amazing resources about harvester ants, among other insects, I sought out to enrich these details by presenting them through the mental lens of animation. Unique and unforgettable characters, who not only feel, but also reveal important information to the story's little lost harvester. The tale also educates the young (and old) readers as they discover a ride of a plot that climaxes in everyone's involvement during an ordeal that ultimately ends up transforming hearts along the way with true love, loyalty, friendship—even forgiveness.

What educational benefits are there to reading fantasy literature?

An educational slant is exactly what I've penned into my own fantasy. If I had not implemented such factual elements about nature and it's inhabitants into my story's characters and their settings, I don't think a child—or anyone—would've understood the reasons, or purpose behind their actions.

Are you surprised or do you get frustrated or hurt when a child won't read a book you simply adored when you were young? Do you think it matters if today's and tomorrow's youngsters never read the books we may regard as "classics"?

I can recall that some classics were read-out-loud to my class during my grammar/school days: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Black Beauty, Little Women... And if our children haven't yet been exposed to later classics such as the Nancy Drew mysteries, The Chronicles of Narnia, (and hopefully, Legend of the Dewberry Harvester :) ), I would love to see that our schools take time out to do a read-aloud to them today. Classics like these are not only enjoyable, but will be forever remembered.

What is something you want to see more of, or less of, in children's books, and why?

It depends on the age of course, but I wish there were less horror genres. While they seem to be a fun-read—even for me once—they can instill fear and possibly, some mental effect of some sort on young children.

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers?

I'm playing with the idea of penning a sequel to "Legend of the Dewberry Harvester". Not so sure just yet, but some plot points are there.

What were some of the challenges you faced on the road to publication? How has been your experience working with AllAuthor?

I discovered that traditional publishers fully own the rights and royalties to authors' books, so I eventually decided to go with self-publishing with my legend since the method would allow for my own copyrights, royalties, especially where my own illustrations are concerned.

Indeed, it took years for me to create the story of the wee harvester's life. In fact, at first I received dozens of rejections from traditional publishers. But after deciding to go with self-publishing for my own story, I got the confidence I needed to pen this full-length novel.

Whereas, I have later found AllAuthor, the perfect place for my genre. Not only is the AllAuthor's self-help platform handy for exposing my work to the public eye, but is filled with various tools and budget-friendly packages that help make marketing my book simple and effective for me. I especially LOVE the colorful, book cover mock ups that AllAuthor shares with its fellow authors (like this background page!). Also, through the discovery and meeting many inspiring AllAuthors that have come from all walks of life there, I'm truly in awe at their wonderful vision and dreams they've share from around the world.

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