I Write Fiction, But My Stories Embody True Events- JL Witterick
प्रकाशित मिति : मंसिर १८, २०७८ शनिबार
- Rajan Thapaliya, New York
J.L. Witterick is the international bestselling author of My Mother’s Secret. She grew up in Canada, experiencing the multi-cultural environment which influenced her thinking about how different people can live in harmony. Witterick has donated 100 percent of the advance from the book to various charities. These include providing books for children from impoverished communities, funding for medical research, and financial support for animal shelters. It was always her passion to create a story about how anything is possible if we connect with each other through kindness, understanding, and courage. Originally from Taiwan, she has been living in Canada since her family’s arrival in 1968.
1. Why did you choose the story of My Mother’s Secret, and why is this related to you?
My Mother’s Secret is based on a true story of remarkable courage. I was compelled to write this novel because I believed that Franciszka and her daughter Helena should never be forgotten. They stood out—providing hope and light in the darkest of times—and I wanted to capture their inspiration with my words. It turned out that being moved by this story changed my life as well. This book was the catalyst for my decision to become a full-time writer.
2. How are you feeling being an international bestselling author of My Mother’s Secret? How do you express your joys?
I receive messages from people around the world telling me that they were touched in one way or another by my books. It is the most incredible thing to know that something I wrote is able to connect with someone I have never met. I love writing stories. I just never knew that they would be so well received. When I found out that my first novel was a bestseller, I was shocked and happy beyond words. It was the thrill of my first kiss and the joy of my first child all rolled into one…truly a moment I will never forget.
3. What motivates you to write fiction instead of nonfiction?
I write fiction, but my stories embody true events. To make my characters believable, I base their personalities on people I know or have met. My stories are a blend of fiction and non-fiction and I think this combination makes them more relatable and interesting.
4. What’s your future fiction project? When can we expect your new novel?
I am almost finished writing my third novel and it is so exciting. This story is about how a single person can make all the difference. It is about the transformation of someone who is uncertain and afraid to someone who is strong and confident. Ultimately, it is about a journey to discover what is truly important in life. This novel, You Can’t Take The Truth, will be published next year.
5. Why did you self-publish your latest book; It Was Always Her?
I self-published It Was Always Her because it was the fastest way to have the novel publicly available. This story is about a man who goes back in time to prevent the Third World War, only to find that his true mission was to save the girl he loves. It was important for me to have this book out as soon as possible because it speaks to current events. When my main character travels to the past, he knows about Covid and takes action to prevent it from happening. As I was weaving the story, I thought, Why not? If I were to go back in time, it’s certainly something I would try to do. Amazingly, a few things I predicted in the novel have actually happened. One example is that countries would start forming alliances, and we have just seen that with the US, UK, and Australia.
6. What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
The only advice I have for aspiring writers is to know that writing requires patience. Ernest Hemingway once said, “The first draft of anything is shit,” and he is right. Often people read their first draft and find themselves disappointed—so much so that they give up. The truth is, the first draft is bad for almost everyone. You have to keep polishing the stone until it shines. That is the secret.
