Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews: Interview with novelist J. A. Boulet

Monday, August 24, 2020

Interview with novelist J. A. Boulet

Author J. A. Boulet is helping me kick off a new week by chatting about her coming of age novel, The Strong Amongst Us (Book One of The Olason Chronicles).

During her virtual book tour, J. A. will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:

J. A. Boulet is the passionate author of The Olason Chronicles, a historical saga of immigration, love and perseverance. The Strong Amongst Us Book 1 was released on Amazon in April 2020. She was born and raised in Western Canada as a first generation Canadian from European descent. Her parents landed in St. John’s, NFLD as refugees in 1956, a direct result of the Hungarian Revolution. J. A. Boulet was born many years later, raised in a strong Hungarian culture and proudly calls Canada home to this day. She started writing poetry at the age of five and progressed to short stories and novels. She has a keen interest in history, healing, family bonds and embracing the unknown. J. A Boulet writes with a spine-tingling realism like none other, grabbing your emotions and refusing to let go. The Strong Within Us Book 2 is scheduled to be released on November 11, 2020.

She currently lives in Canada with her two teenaged sons and a crested gecko named Mossio.

What inspired you to write this book?

I came across the immigration story at my cottage near Gimli, Manitoba. I was literally flabbergasted when I learned of the hardships the Icelanders and Natives endured at the hand of the natural environment and the political landscape in 1875. It truly is a story of perseverance beyond anything we’ve experienced in today’s North American world.

A Chapter One preview (excerpt) from The Strong Amongst Us can be found on my website at: https://jaboulet.ca/page/chapter-1-preview-book-one

And

Excerpt from The Strong Amongst Us:
He stared at the beautiful sun, peering over the horizon of gentle waves. The coldness stung, but he embraced it. The lake was much calmer today. He loved it actually; luck was on his side. They would most likely be able to send the funds request of the remaining five-thousand-dollar loan to the Dominion today by boat.

A movement caught his eye. Someone was pulling in a larger boat. He stood and used his hand to shelter from the sun. He squinted into the bright rays. It was just one person, pulling in the boat. He strapped his boots on and scurried over to the dock.

“Hey, do you need a hand?” Nathanael shouted as he approached.

A woman’s voice lilted into the air, gentle but full of strength. “No, I am okay.”

“No, I must! Let me help you,” Nathan insisted.

She looked at him stubbornly, shook her head and relented. “If you must.”

Nath grabbed the rope and helped pull in the boat, anchoring it along the sand. “Is this the boat that will be taking the letter to the Dominion for us today?”

“It is, yes,” she replied. “Sorry for my English. I am still learning.”

“You are native to this land?” Nath asked. “How long have you lived here?”

“Forever,” she laughed. “Ma and Pa were born here, so was I.”

“Interesting,” Nath said. “It is a beautiful land. And a beautiful lake.”

“Yes, Nath, it is,” she replied.

“You remembered my name?”

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am currently finishing the final touches on Book Two of The Olason Chronicles: The Strong Within Us. It is the highly anticipated sequel to Book One.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I was five years old, I realized that I had a gift of poetry and literary art. I wrote a poem in Hungarian, my mother language, and was astonished that I received a standing ovation at the local Hungarian Hall. I thought everyone was nuts, lol. I had no idea how I touched people’s hearts.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I began writing full-time in March 2020, focusing on completing Book One. I succeeded and published The Strong Amongst Us on April 29, 2020. I have been writing full-time since. My work day has honestly been chaotic. It is not your regular 9-5 job. There are many times I am awake until 2 am editing or working with my cover artists on technical issues. I am currently working one day per week in legal/accounting to counteract the imbalance of routine in my life.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

For some reason, unbeknownst to me, I write from a male POV and my main character is always male. I am female, lol.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Simple, a fiction novelist. I always knew this was my passion and I will continue until my death. There is no other way for me to experience fulfillment, balance and joy in my life.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I truly appreciate all my readers and try to talk to as many readers as I can on Twitter, Reddit or Instagram. All my social media links are available in the upper right-hand corner of my website.

Without my amazing readers, my job as a writer is incomplete. Thank you so much for reading my powerful saga of hope and resilience. I hope it changes you as it changed me.