One of my favorite people on AD

Interview With Jan Noponen Perinacci


Today I'm interviewing Jane Noponen Perinacci, lovely soul and friend to all other authors. Jane, it's obvious you are a peacemaker and an encourager of all. I look forward to knowing you better, and I'm sure your readers do also.

First of all, allow me to thank you for your kind words about me. You are a very gracious lady. Thank you.



Jane, I've always been impressed by your graciousness and kindness to others. What do you feel influenced you to be such a kind person? Were you born with that quality or did life shape you in that direction?

I believe that my religious upbringing, Brownies, Girl Scouts, and being a RMA shaped the way I feel about people. I enjoy helping others and seeing them succeed in whatever they love doing. At one time, oh, when I was around twelve years old, I wanted to be a Missionary or join the Peace Corps. Although I am now retired, I am still a Caregiver for a sweet Finnish woman 24/7.



I noticed a link on your AD den to the Finnish Heritage Museum Are you of Finnish descent? How do you think your heritage has influenced you and your writing?

Yes! Both of my parents were from Finland and came here later in life. I had three older brothers. They and I were born here. Finnish was read, spoken, and written in the home but nothing but English was tolerated by my father by any of us in public. I have been fortunate to have gone to Finland with my mother for three months and with my son for a few weeks. My family has over 100 relatives living there still and we keep in touch daily on facebook I am a founding member of the Finnish Heritage Museum in my hometown, Fairport Harbor, Ohio, a village, and that keeps me close to my roots. I now, live right across the Grand River in Mentor Headlands, Ohio, another small and quiet community surrounded by the river, Lake Erie, and the Mentor Marsh and Lagoon. We have lots of woods to go walking or hiking in and shale cliffs near the river where I take my grandchildren fossil chipping.........great fun!!!



What and who in your background has influenced you most, as a woman and a writer?

O.K.. You asked who influenced me the most in my writing. That would be my father. He was a Finnish Newspaper Correspondent and would ask me, even before I could write,  if I had anything to offer at the end of his column each week. I would make up a little poem pertaining to what he was writing about. My mother Elia's sister, Sylvia, who lived in Ottawa, Canada, shaped most of me as a woman. I spent part of each summer with her. She was an expert and had a large clinic for Swedish Massage. I remember running up and down the hallway of her treatment rooms. She was a very elegant lady. She would frame the poems I would write to her. She had some writers who would come to her clinic, male and female and would encourage me to keep up with the writing.



When did you first realize you were a writer and a poet?

I remember making "walkie talkies" out of oatmeal boxes and string as a child. My brothers would tell me to talk into it. I didn't know what to say so I'd make up a rhyme and "talk" it into the oatmeal box! I would write essays at church and at school and had a poem, "No More" published in our high school year book. I remember writing my first story in the fifth grade. My teacher liked it and told me that I should be writer someday. I was floating on air!! What I learned about writing, I learned most of what I know about writing from a wonderful English/Lit. teacher in high school but mostly did my own thing and still do. That's why I call myself a "street writer".



What kind of works did you produce in your early writing career and how do you feel you have changed over the years as a writer?

My first poetry was published by a hometown publisher, Cheryl Rymer who ran "Pig's Wing Press". I then moved on to other anthologies before I discovered Authorsden.  I had notebooks upon notebooks full of unpublished poetry as I kept my poetry private for a very long time. I've written a book of poetry that includes a poem I wrote for each of my grandchildren when each of them turned two years old. I co-authored a novel, "Magical",  with Jerry Bolton based upon my years of being a battered woman. He wove quite a story around the facts I would give to him. I have been taking notes and would love to someday be able to help other women in that situation. It's a hard story to tell but when I write about it again, I want to leave fiction out. I've changed and am not as shy as I first was when Jerry and I wrote that novel. It took years to regain my confidence.



You mention in your bio that writing has been therapy for you. How do you think writing has helped you in that way?

Writing has allowed me to express things that I hold inside therefore being my best form of therapy. Today, I have happy things to write about. Life opened it's door again to me and I just can't seem to stop writing about stuff I experience or imagine.



If you could change anything about yourself what would it be?

If I could change one thing about myself, I would not be so trusting. Trust is earned, not given. That is a valuable lesson I learned the hard way.



What do you feel is your most valuable trait?

My most valuable trait is that I am a people person. I enjoy listening to the elderly about their experiences in life. I have a special place in my heart for children. Their sweet stories make me smile.



What are your hobbies and interests other than writing?

My hobbies other than co- writing are doing oil paintings, hiking, fossil hunting, and writing music using my piano.



Do you have a special time or place when and where you write?

I have no special time or place when I write. Being Caregiver 24/7, I write when I get the chance which is mostly mornings and evenings while I'm at home. I prefer a quiet room when I write.



What projects are you working on now and when can we expect to see a new book from you?

I wrote another childrens' story inspired, again, by my grandchildren. I am in hopes that I have found someone to help me out with the publishing this time. The name of this one is, "Magic At Ten Foot".



Jane, do you have any advice for aspiring and new writers?

My advice for new writers is to write. Write about imaginings, reality, feelings, or even write about your new shoes!!! Write what's in your heart. Read as much as you can.



What authors do you most enjoy reading and what writer has had the most influence on your writing?

I read a lot growing up. I would read anything and everything I could get my hands on.
As a child I enjoyed Aesop's Fables, Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes, Nancy Drew mysteries.........advancing to Agatha Christie, Lord Byron, Sara Teasdale, Robert Frost, Edgar Alan Poe and Stephen King, and I could really go on and on including the wonderful writers here at Authorsden.



What person, past or present would you most like to have a conversation with? What would you talk about?

The person I'd like to have a conversation with would just have to be John Lennon. We could talk about peace, love, and life. Yes, that would be so fine.



What do you consider your greatest accomplishment in life?

My greatest accomplishment in life would be raising two fine children by myself. I worked three jobs and supported them........no alimony, child support, or government assistance. They are successful adults today.



What would you like to accomplish during the coming new year in your life and writing?

In the coming year, I would like to learn how to self publish correctly. I know I can do it.



Is there anything you'd like to say to your readers?

The one thing I would like to say to my readers is, "Thank you. Thank you for taking the time to read my "stuff", as I call it, and thank you so very much for all of the lovely comments and constructive criticism I have received.



Tell us briefly about your philosophy of life?

I do have a philosophy that I try to adhere to and it is this: I may not believe as another person believes but I must respect his right to believe as he does.



Jane, thank you so much for sharing more of your thoughts and your soul with us. You are always a pleasure to speak with.

I'm not famous but I'm happy. Thank you!