Janet Hise is a Nebraska-based author with a writing degree
from Wayne State College. Her debut book was published by Arcadia Publishing,
and her work has been featured in Nebraska Life Magazine, Flash
Fiction Magazine, Splickety, Plains Song Review,
and more. A member of the Nebraska Writers Guild, she works in an academic
library and writes across multiple genres, from eerie tales to historical
fiction to young adult.
Janet spent her first 14 years on a family farm, where
stories of life in the countryside sparked her passion for writing. Her latest
work, a Christian thriller for adults, began as a NaNoWriMo project and evolved
into a full-length novel about near-death experiences. It is currently seeking
representation.
Connect with Janet through her website, www.janethise.com, or on
X: @JanetHise.
--------------------------interview with Sue Bradford Edwards-------------------------------
Janet: This story began as a class assignment many years ago, unfolding in one of those rare moments when the words seemed to flow effortlessly. I started writing it as a 200-word filler with a title of “Write Me Your Secret,” thinking it would be light and funny with anonymous people spilling their “secrets” on postcards. In the original version, I decided to throw in a twist at the end. The final secret? "Never leave a return address." I’ve always loved this short version because it starts off as something innocent and charming, only to end with a sinister last line.
WOW: The contrast between the start and that last line is so powerful. So much of what makes a story great comes together through revision. How did this story change during the revision process?
Janet: I recently dug up some of my old stories and started submitting them again, and this one got a little attention from a literary magazine. Although it was turned down for publication, they wrote, “An interesting concept that deserves a longer treatment than 200 words.” My writing excitement flared, and I started expanding the story, trying to answer all those questions from the short version. Thea Jackson just showed up along with the images surrounding her. Honestly, I have no idea where some of my characters come from; they just appear and take charge! Then came the big question: Who is the stalker? That is when I got the idea of a doppelgänger stepping out of the ether and swapping places with Thea. The new title suddenly appeared the same way Thea had.
WOW: You obviously aren't afraid to make big changes in your work. We have so many writers who are new to writing flash. What piece of advice would you give them?
Janet: Writing short fiction is tough. One of the biggest mistakes I have made in flash fiction is squeezing too much into a tiny space. Flash fiction is not about telling an entire epic. It is about offering a brief, powerful glimpse into a moment that speaks volumes on its own without relying on a mountain of backstory. The key is to let something small carry big meaning. A single moment, a sharp detail, or a carefully chosen sentence can hint at an entire world beneath the surface.
WOW: I feel like I could spend weeks unpacking that piece of advice. There is just so much there. Your writing is so varied. What themes wend their way through your work? How do different types of writing (flash, novel writing, etc.) help you explore them?
Janet: I tend to write about hope rising from tragedy, the power of faith, redemption, and the kind of forgiveness that does not always come easy. There is something fascinating about the unseen forces that shape our lives, nudging us in ways we do not always notice. Sometimes, my stories take a deep dive into the strange and eerie where reality gets a little slippery.
Writing novels gives me room to stretch out and dig into my characters’ flaws, strengths, and motivations. I get to explore how their past and environment shape them, throw in a few red herrings, and weave in multiple themes. Watching characters grow and change with the story is one of my favorite parts of writing, but I also love keeping them true to themselves, with quirks, mannerisms, and inner thoughts that remain consistent no matter how much the world around them shifts.
WOW: You are currently seeking representation for a novel you drafted during NaNoWriMo. What advice do you have for our readers about completing that first draft?
Janet: Time slips away faster than we realize. Writing has always been my passion, yet life constantly tries to pull me away from it. NaNoWriMo forced me to push everything else aside and focus solely on getting words on the page. Writing finds its way into your schedule, no matter how busy life gets. Another powerful tool for writers is to find an accountability partner. When someone expects your words, excuses fade. Clear goals also make a difference, helping to balance writing with other responsibilities. Even if you are only piecing it together a little at a time, every word written is progress.
WOW: I do hope that people will take the time to visit your site and read "Piecing It Together." And this is such important advice about fitting writing into your schedule. Thank you so much for taking time to share with us. Good luck on your writing and your agent hunt!
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