Before I blogged, I was a nine-to-fiver teaching software development process to programmers who thought process was something the Devil invented to make their lives miserable. And before that, I was a soccer mom who dabbled in sculpture, oil painting and the odd story based on my misspent youth. Before that is sketchy but I will try. I was born in the small town in New England where my mother and her mother had been born and raised. I always thought I’d return one day and live in the same small house but it didn’t turn out that way. Instead I ended up on the West coast.
Last known picture of Jan, aka JT Twissel.
I began working on the first draft of Flipka while I was waiting to get laid off from my thankless job as a process analyst. I sent the synopsis to my sister for feedback and she sent it to a friend at Booktrope Editions. Before I knew it, I’d signed a contract. Heady stuff. I followed Flipka up with The Graduation Present and then Willful Avoidance. The third book was barely at the printers when Booktrope folded. Writing three entirely different books in four years was a bit too much for me. And so while many of the Booktrope writers signed with other publishers or took a stab at self-publishing, I decided to take my time. The books hadn’t exactly set the world on fire and so pushing them back out there didn’t seem wise. Instead, I blogged. I taught myself the basics of publishing and helped other authors get back into print. I let the three books set a while and when I picked them up again, I knew what to do. I hope. The jury is still out.
Four very important things to know about Jan (updated 2/12/2025):
- I still start each day with a glance at my horoscope. It’s still always wrong but that doesn’t stop me.
- I no longer read the obits every morning. Too many people my age are dying!
- My cat, Pretty Kitty, no longer watches me from his perch. He fell off a few years ago and is now too old and fat to get back up on to it again.
- I still don’t want to believe in reincarnation. You can probably guess why!
Saying nothing in particular 
Hi Jan, thank you so much for visiting my blog and following it.
I’m loving your blog because it looks so fresh and inviting. You’ve done a great job in getting it to look the way it does, so well done.
I’ve visited San Francisco many a time and love the city and also love to take in the Nappa Valley. My last visit was a few years ago, but I hope to pay a visit again in the future.
I’m delighted to meet you and look forward to reading your blog.
Have a great week.
Hugh
Hi Hugh – what a lovely comment. Thank you! Napa Valley is one of my favorite places to go to but I can’t afford to live there – we are in the east bay near Berkeley. Another of my favorite places is Muir Woods (when it’s not too crowded, of course). Looking forward to getting to know you as well. We just had a lovely trip to the UK. Take care, Jan
Hi Jan,
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. If you ever need a book reviewer, drop by https://litworldinterviews.wordpress.com/ and pick one of the reviewers there. The names are in white text in black boxes. You can get their contact information there. Hugh, the other commenter here, is one of the book review team members. 🙂 Funny how we found each other in different ways.
Thanks kindly for the offer. I will definitely check it out.
Thanks for the follow. Am in awe of all the works you have completed.
Hi – I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Congrats. You don’t have to accept it if you don’t do awards!
Thanks for visiting Adventures of a retired librarian. I’ve been checking out your blog this morning and so far, so funny! I especially liked your views on Trump (we know Mr Trump here – he attempts to impose his will on Scotland too) and driving in England. Many American tourists come to Scotland and think they can do it in a couple of days but they don’t know our roads. You are wiser than them! In the Highlands and Islands many roads are single tracks with passing places so yes, forget all about personal space. More on my journeys in Scotland and other favourite places (including the U.S.) on my main site, Anabel’s Travel Blog.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving such wonderful comments! We were told that if we found England impossible to drive around, Scotland would would probably send us right over the edge. I do remember reading about Trump’s adventures in your country – had something to do with a golf course, right? We’ll gladly share him with you – in fact you can have him!! Look forward to checking out your travel blog! Nice to meet you!
Yes, he built a golf course then seemed to think that gave him the right to dictate what happened in the whole area. It’s ok – you can keep him thanks!
Sounds like Trump! God help us!
Great to meet you Jan. Sounds like we share a passion for writing and editing.
Hey! Came back to read this as you write about the rain. Still in California?
Yup! Are you guys still on the road?
I feel I’ve got to know you in your about page. Glad to have met you via Geoff. You should now have a ping back re laundry. I’m guessing you are Baby Boomer.
Yup, I’m afraid so! Nice to meet you as well!
Hi Jan it’s always great to meet new people especially if they aimed at saving the world! I look forward to reading your blog!! 🙂
Unfortunately I wasn’t successful. Ah well, off to the next planet! Nice to meet you as well!
🙂 we all think we can change the world when we were young!!
Hi Jan, sorry to spam this page. I just wanted you to know that I can now be found at this blog:
https://forfriendswithoutborders.wordpress.com/2016/02/20/a-new-beginning/
Thanks!
Rob
Thanks Rob – I’ll check it out! The reply of a friend is never a spam. Confucius says.
Hey I check My Horoscope so your in good company here! Excited to be a new follower!
Thank you Oracle Jasmine! Look forward to getting to know you!
Thank You looking forward to that too.
Pleased to meet you too!
Hi! I just ‘met’ you here thanks to George. Ohh, I think we have a lot in common: grew up in East Coast, raised family in SF bay area (lived there total of 20 years), living now outside of Boston. I miss Bay Area every day. Raised on my looks but now love my intellectual curiosity. Did a myriad of jobs with non-profits after I finished my career as a medical editor. Been teaching creative writing for many years and finally, finally, am publishing my novels. I’m looking forward to reading your blog.
Oh, and I was going to meet the Beatles and save the world too!! 🙂
If the Beatles had only waited for us, we could have saved the world! Nice to meet you. It does sounds like we’ve been on similar paths. Jan
I must admit, I also dreamed of being the Beatles ‘back-up’ singer. :-0
I don’t check my horoscope every day but I do find zodiac and chinese horoscope very interesting.
I just found out that the Native Americans have their own birth animals – mine is a deer! Thanks for stopping by!
Beautiful story!
Thank you Wilson. Nice to meet you!
You’re welcome, nice to meet you too!
I am glad that I found your blog is a great greeting from Poland
Hi nice to know you here:)
Nice introduction, Jan… and you have a cat… What is there not to like? 😉
Hi Kevin, nice to meet you!
You too, Jan! 🙂
Hi Jan,
It took me five years to get here and I’m not the same person any more. In some ways worse, others better. More the former I’m afraid. I used to have this Australian doctor for years and when I’d see him for something he’d say, your taking years off the back end of your life. Funny thing is, he died recently. Got a note from his ex-wife. She never liked me after I complemented her strong teeth. She had a brilliant smile that you could see across a field at night. Up close one probably could read by it. As usual I’m wandering. We have many things in common. Your sculpture was a revelation and added to your image in my mind.
Your love of Redwoods is a giant tell. Don’t ever take one to a card game. Congratulations on surviving social media with humor and realistic expectations. You never stooped to obvious bullshit. You have told your story well. Thanks for the memories. Duke
Thanks Duke. After five years it often feels like an exercise in extreme futility but as John Lennon said “half of what I say is meaningless but I say it just to reach you.” The redwoods comfort me – when I’m there I don’t believe in the outside world. Only the one within. I love it when you babble. Babble on as long as you can. I’ll always be there to listen.