| . |
| Copyright 2010 by Janice Hardy. All rights reserved. |
| Sister. Writer. Storyteller. |
About Janice
The Short Version:
I’m a voracious reader, which used to get me into a lot of trouble in
school. Eventually, I figured out writing stories in class made it look like
I was doing actual work, so my teachers left me alone. Since then,
writing has worked out way better than algebra ever did. I now write
young adult fiction and no one ever tells me to cut it out and pay
attention anymore. For my debut fantasy novel, The Shifter, I tapped
into my dark side to create a world where healing was dangerous, and
those with the best intentions often made the worst choices. I live in
Georgia with my husband, three cats and one nervous freshwater eel.
I’m a voracious reader, which used to get me into a lot of trouble in
school. Eventually, I figured out writing stories in class made it look like
I was doing actual work, so my teachers left me alone. Since then,
writing has worked out way better than algebra ever did. I now write
young adult fiction and no one ever tells me to cut it out and pay
attention anymore. For my debut fantasy novel, The Shifter, I tapped
into my dark side to create a world where healing was dangerous, and
those with the best intentions often made the worst choices. I live in
Georgia with my husband, three cats and one nervous freshwater eel.
After high school I went off to college (go Gators) to study architecture. I debated majoring
in creative writing, but figured I’d starve a lot faster as a writer than an artist. After a few
years, I found I really didn’t like architecture enough to do it forever, and didn’t have the
skills—or the confidence—needed to design a building that wouldn’t fall down on top of
people. I switched to art school and got my degree in graphic design.
in creative writing, but figured I’d starve a lot faster as a writer than an artist. After a few
years, I found I really didn’t like architecture enough to do it forever, and didn’t have the
skills—or the confidence—needed to design a building that wouldn’t fall down on top of
people. I switched to art school and got my degree in graphic design.
My life was pretty typical after that. School was fun when the
subject interested me, less so when it didn’t. I had an English
works of Harlan Ellison, and he’s been my favorite author ever
since. I got into trouble quite often for reading in class, but it
was a good kind of trouble. Teachers aren’t so hard on you
when you’re reading, but you still wind up in detention if you
do it enough. At least there you can read and no one bothers
works of Harlan Ellison, and he’s been my favorite author ever
you. I started writing my first novels in middle school, and
most involved horses of some kind. (I was terribly influenced
by Walter Farely’s Black Stallion series.) There was also a
strong comedic love story plots, influenced by Paula Danzinger.
The high school experience was normal for me. I did summer
and weekend jobs working at a local ranch as a trail guide, and
raised and trained my own horse. I once tore multiple
ligaments in my left ankle training for a rodeo. Believe it or
not, I hit a bridge. On horseback. (Don’t ask). Florida wasn’t a
bad place to grow up in, and I spent a lot of days sitting on
picnic tables at the beach by the volleyball and basketball
courts. I don’t play either sport, but that’s where all the cute
guys hung out.
subject interested me, less so when it didn’t. I had an English
works of Harlan Ellison, and he’s been my favorite author ever
since. I got into trouble quite often for reading in class, but it
was a good kind of trouble. Teachers aren’t so hard on you
when you’re reading, but you still wind up in detention if you
do it enough. At least there you can read and no one bothers
works of Harlan Ellison, and he’s been my favorite author ever
you. I started writing my first novels in middle school, and
most involved horses of some kind. (I was terribly influenced
by Walter Farely’s Black Stallion series.) There was also a
strong comedic love story plots, influenced by Paula Danzinger.
The high school experience was normal for me. I did summer
and weekend jobs working at a local ranch as a trail guide, and
raised and trained my own horse. I once tore multiple
ligaments in my left ankle training for a rodeo. Believe it or
not, I hit a bridge. On horseback. (Don’t ask). Florida wasn’t a
bad place to grow up in, and I spent a lot of days sitting on
picnic tables at the beach by the volleyball and basketball
courts. I don’t play either sport, but that’s where all the cute
guys hung out.
The Long Version:
I was born in Pennsylvania, but since I was only ten days old when we moved, I don’t think it
really counts. At that time, I was the youngest person to ever fly on Eastern Airlines and I
needed special permission to do so. We moved around a bit my first two years, but I
eventually wound up in South Florida, where I celebrated by toddling right through the living
room, out the back door, and fell headfirst into the pool. My sister yanked me out by my feet
and saved me from a watery death. (I’m told I was still chewing my gum.) As revenge, I threw
all the shoes in the house into the pool and we had to go to dinner that night at the
neighbor's in bare feet.
I was born in Pennsylvania, but since I was only ten days old when we moved, I don’t think it
really counts. At that time, I was the youngest person to ever fly on Eastern Airlines and I
needed special permission to do so. We moved around a bit my first two years, but I
eventually wound up in South Florida, where I celebrated by toddling right through the living
room, out the back door, and fell headfirst into the pool. My sister yanked me out by my feet
and saved me from a watery death. (I’m told I was still chewing my gum.) As revenge, I threw
all the shoes in the house into the pool and we had to go to dinner that night at the
neighbor's in bare feet.
| Author Photos: Karen Nickle Photography |
I got my first professional job in publishing (magazines, not books) and did fairly well for
myself as a magazine designer. Won a few awards and everything. To counteract my boring
bookworm nature, I got my PADI SCUBA certification as a Rescue Diver.
myself as a magazine designer. Won a few awards and everything. To counteract my boring
bookworm nature, I got my PADI SCUBA certification as a Rescue Diver.
Since then, we travel when we can, enjoying out of the way places where we can read and
explore, but we’re pretty much a pair of happy homebodies. He’s my best friend, which
works out really well in the marriage department. We’re both big geeks and own most
console platforms out there. Don’t even get me started on Civilization or The Sims. You
could lose me for days.
On the family front, I have an older brother and sister, four nieces and one nephew (brand
new, way to go Kim!). I’ve tried to spoil them mercilessly, but I don’t think I’ve done as
good a job as I’d planned. Of course, I was also guilty of filling them full of candy and
Yoohoo when I babysat, so it might balance out in the end.
And that’s about it. All the super exciting stuff came once I got an agent and sold my book,
but that’s another story.
explore, but we’re pretty much a pair of happy homebodies. He’s my best friend, which
works out really well in the marriage department. We’re both big geeks and own most
console platforms out there. Don’t even get me started on Civilization or The Sims. You
could lose me for days.
On the family front, I have an older brother and sister, four nieces and one nephew (brand
new, way to go Kim!). I’ve tried to spoil them mercilessly, but I don’t think I’ve done as
good a job as I’d planned. Of course, I was also guilty of filling them full of candy and
Yoohoo when I babysat, so it might balance out in the end.
And that’s about it. All the super exciting stuff came once I got an agent and sold my book,
but that’s another story.
This was a good move for me, as it put me on the
boat where I met my husband, a fellow diver and
seriously cool and fun guy. Jumping off a boat led
to jumping out of airplanes, and we tried sky diving
with great success. (Evidenced by the fact that
both of us are still alive).
boat where I met my husband, a fellow diver and
seriously cool and fun guy. Jumping off a boat led
to jumping out of airplanes, and we tried sky diving
with great success. (Evidenced by the fact that
both of us are still alive).
| Photo credit: Nemo |
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