Interview with Janie Von Komen
November 15, 2005
Author of
Sarah Jane’s Very Best Story Ever
Available December 15, 2005
Janie has recently written a beautiful book entitled Sarah Jane’s Very Best Story Ever. This is an illustrated children’s book. I had the privilege of reading a draft copy of this book and look forward to reading and reviewing the finished book. This is an inspiring book that teaches where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going when we leave mortality. Janie agreed to an interview about this book and herself as an author.
What inspired you to write the book Sarah Jane’s Very Best Story Ever?
Janie: “In 1997 a tragic car accident took the life of Sarah Jane Van Komen my 16 year old daughter. About a year before this accident the LDS Church ward boundaries Sarah lived in where changed. This change took Sarah away from her many friends. At this time Sarah felt very alone it was like she no longer had a life or friends. Being a dramatic person, Sarah played this up at home. As a result, Sarah decided she didn’t want to go to church. A new young women’s advisor moved into the ward, right behind Sarah‘s house. Wanting to reactivate the Bishop’s daughter she, invited Sarah to come clean her house and visit with her. This started a great friendship. One day her great leader gave her the key to all her problems. Sarah applied this lesson and in turn shared it with many friends.
After the fatal car accident this Young Women’s advisor had a comforting dream where she felt Sarah came and told her a story. The leader felt this story was very sacred to herself, but wanted to have the basic message passed onto others who might need this same kind of comfort. This story was shared with me, Sarah’s mother. After much fasting and prayer I decided this story needed to be shared. It has been altered from the dream because the dream was a personal spiritual experience.
Sarah’s personal life goal was to write and illustrate children’s books. The young women‘s leader and I feel that this is Sarah‘s story. Sarah is the little girl in the story. All of the specifics about Sarah’s earth life in the story are true accounts.
At Sarah’s funeral it was mentioned what a great influence Sarah had been to so many people (their were approximately 1200 people in attendance) but that her life was just beginning and her influence had just begun and her legacy would grow. At the time I heard this I expected to hear about all the great things Sarah had accomplished as a Spirit when I entered the Spirit World but now I realize that Sarah is influencing many here on earth right now and feels that through this book many more people will be influenced for good.”
What do you hope readers will gain from this book?
Janie: “I hope it speaks to their hearts and gives them what they need. I hope it will give people the hope they need after tragedy in their life. I hope it gives answers to where they came from and where the are going, but most importantly the knowledge that we are never alone, that we have a Father in Heaven, and a Savior, Jesus Christ, who is always with us.”
When did you start writing?
Janie answered this without even being asked. “I have always written. When I was in 6th grade I had a teacher who was a great influence on me. This teacher gave me eyes to see outside my little box of life” Janie continued to write while searching for her talent, not realizing it was right under her nose. After a spiritual experience, 7 or 8 years ago, she realized that she should seriously develop her writing abilities. When she shared this with her mother who was a college English her mother started sharing many resources on writing with her. She feels she has had a private professional tutor helping her write and if she is a good writer it’s a tribute to her mother.
What other books have you written?
Janie: “Beyond Beauty with my daughter and Reflections of Garland UT with my mother. I am also a contributing author to Hearts and Hands, Magic and Miracle of Christmas volume’s 1 and 2. I have also written for a number of newspapers and other publications including Beaver Tales, Stitching Garden, and Scouting Magazine. In addition to this, I host a writers retreat with two other writers which was started 2 years ago.”
What are your favorite books?
Janie: “ Whatever book I have in my hand at the moments is usually my favorite. I like mysteries but not gory horror books. I also like historical fiction but I wouldn’t say I actually have a favorite.”
What writer has influenced you the most is your writing?
Janie: “That’s hard because I love most all the classics, but I would have to say Victor Hugo.”
Do you want to reach outside the LDS audience with your book?
Janie: “Yes! This book teaches the Plan of Salvation in a simple understandable way. It has had many rewrites and much inspiration and prayer to get it right. The book took 7 years to put together. All people have been given the Spirit of Christ which testifies of truth. This book has the potential to be a great missionary tool. It has been written without any specific religious affiliation so that anybody can feel comfortable reading it.”
Some other thoughts from the author.
“The adversary has been trying very had to destroy this work, because he knows what a great influence it will be. Much fasting and prayer has gone into this book. Sarah and other angels have been there along the way to help see what changes needed to be put in the story.
“Learning to write in a lifelong process” Janie has learned from her experience that writing heals. She teaches seminars called The Write Stress Relief. She encourages all to write.
Thought from interviewer.
President Spencer W. Kimball said “get a good notebook, a good book that will last through time and into eternity for the angels to look upon. Begin today and write in it your goings and your comings, your deeper thoughts, your achievements, and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies. We hope you will do this, our brothers and sisters, for this is what the Lord has commanded, and those who keep a personal journal are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives” (December 1980 New Era)
If you are interested in purchasing this book please visit www.sjspublishing.com or
SJS Publishing
PO Box 4171
Parker, CO 80134
The book costs $15.95 with a $3.00 Shipping and Handling Fee.
For more information about Janie and her books visit http://therightshoes.blogspot.com.
To find out more about the writers retreat visit www.riversedgeretreats.com.
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