Meeting Planner Releases Very First Romance Novel

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KCMPI’s e-Newsletter Chair Maria R. Davis, CMP, recently interviewed Janice McClain, seasoned meeting planner and PCMA Heartland administrator, on how she decided to embark on her new endeavor – writing novels!
 
KCMPI: What made you decide to start writing romance novels? 
JR/JM: "I always wanted to write, and as my first novel evolved, it became a story of friendships and the men in their lives, turning into a good ole love story.

KCMPI: Are any of the characters or story lines based on real life people and experiences?
JR/JM: You can’t write without incorporating a description of someone you’ve known or met, or a phrase or opinion someone has shared. But in the end, your characters come to life on the pages and become their own person.
 
KCMPI: How do you choose the setting of your novels?
JR/JM: They say "write what you know, so I chose Key West for the backdrop of my first trilogy, spanning out to other cities for the characters’ home bases.
 
KCMPI: Who or what is your biggest inspiration in writing?
JR/JM: I’ve been an avid reader all my life, and my very first favorite book was in first grade. "The Adventures of Caroline and Her Friends." It was a very large book filled wonderful illustrations of this little girl and her menagerie of exotic pets as they traveled the globe, having adventures. Perhaps that’s where the travel bug bit me! On a more current note, I admire Nora Roberts, Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Patricia Cornwell and J.K. Rowling – all women who have entertained and contributed to this industry, constantly giving back to aspiring authors like me.

KCMPI: Any plans of writing a romance novel about people in the meeting planning or hotel industry?
JR/JM: Actually, I have a couple of stories in the works. The crazy situations we planners and suppliers encounter would provide great material.

To purchase a copy, go to www.Amazon.com or www.BarnesandNoble.com and look for "Janice Richards Detour." Books 2 and 3 are coming out sometime mid-fall and spring.

Second novel teaser: The name of Vanessa Kane, CMP, CMM, manager, meetings and events for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, will be used as one of the characters in the  second novel, "Danger: Curves Ahead." Her character, Dr. Vanessa Kane, is a sharp, witty Oklahoma veterinarian who is a high-school chum of the heroine.

Janice currently resides on her family’s farm south of Harrisonville with two handsome fellows, Jake, a black Lab, and Buddy, a border collie/Austrian sheppard mix. Between traveling and planning meetings, Janice writes, designs jewelry, dabbles in flower gardening and stands vigil for a special Marine Colonel currently serving in Afghanistan.

Janice McClain, CMP (aka Janice Richards) can be reached at:
J.M.McClain & Associates, LLC
Direct/Cell: 816-678-8876
jmmcclain@earthlink.net