Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi Bowersox.
Hi Jodi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My writing career began on a very serious note around the age of 5: “Life is a cookie with some ketchup and cake, and we all stick around for it to bake.” Profound, no?
I then set about working my way into a journalism career–I was the news reporter for three different 4-H clubs. They kept re-electing me because I actually enjoyed doing it.
Alas, my profundity at age 5 would fade as I delved back into poetry in Jr. High. ALL of these poems have been burned. I wrote slightly less terrible poetry in college, then hit on something I would do off and on for the next 20+ years–writing for the stage.
I started off with a play I wrote for my senior theatre project–Chosen–a fresh take on the Nativity story that focused on Mary and her possible thoughts and fears. Soon after my two boys made an appearance in the world, I began attending a church that was all too happy to let me write for them, and I wrote numerous children’s productions and skits for women’s events. I eventually compiled these all into one book: Chosen and other productions, programs, and skits.
You can’t have children (and cats), though, without coming up with a couple of stories. After getting back into watercolor painting, I tried my hand at illustrating a fictional story about two real cats and called it, of course, A Tale of Two Kitties. My second children’s book, The Stubborn Princess, came from who knows where, as I do not have any princesses in my life, stubborn or otherwise. My younger son Tracy did the drawings for that one, and I did the watercolor.
It was my mother who encouraged me to try writing novels. A big romance reader, she read every romance in her tiny small town library and then reported to me that she was just sure I could write better books. I didn’t give it a whirl until she was gone, but I think she’d be proud. I’m about to publish my nineteenth novel, and a number of them are award-winners.
I have done what any reasonable person would tell you not to–write novels in multiple genres. Under the big umbrella of Clean Romance, I’ve written Contemporary Faith Fiction, Suspense, Time Travel, and Humorous Sci Fi. Recently, my weird brain just told me it wants to write a Medieval Romance. What can I say? I like variety!
I returned to Children’s Books a few years ago and got stories, songs, and poems I’ve had laying around for years illustrated. Three of these are my Sing-a-Story books for birth to 3-years-old, created from songs I made up for my boys when they were toddlers. Another is Going Home, an Early Reader book about a young boy who has to go back to the city after a summer in the country. The last is my pride and joy–a book simply called Cats–filled with twenty watercolor cat portraits painted by moi, illustrating a fun poem about the nature and activities of our feline friends. I couldn’t get this one done with Print On Demand (long story) so I have TONS of them! If you’re a cat lover, please (I’m begging you!) please buy one and rescue me from a sea of boxes! Find out how to get your own at jodibowersox.com. My children’s books are written under the name J.B. Stockings.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The main struggle is always time. As you can imagine, writing a cohesive story takes some time, and snippets of time here and there are not conducive to the deep emersion required. So I relish a whole afternoon with no interruptions.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I write Clean Romance in multiple genres, and I’d say I specialize in characters. Some authors start with a particular trope like the “billionaire cowboy former navy seal body guard marriage of convenience friends to lovers” storyline, but I’m a firm believer that real people don’t live in tropes. I let my characters tell me their story, which is, I think, more organic and real.
In the art world, I’m a pet portrait artist, and I’ve taken that talent into the book world by illustrating some children’s books. I’m currently working on one called Cat and Rabbit.
Before just about anything else creative began to bloom in my life, I was a seamstress. One of my specialties is creating women’s vests out of men’s ties. I also make some adorable and cozy “monster scarves.”
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
There are a lot of good memories. I grew up on a farm so the county fair was always a highlight. My brother and I were very active in 4-H and raised sheep to show, I remember my mother taking a surprise ride on a hog that had escaped its pen. Ha! Good times!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jodibowersox.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PikesPeakUnique
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jodi+bowersox
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PikesPeakUnique
Image Credits
Tristan Bowersox, photographer, book cover designer
