Releasing Janet – Interview with Alex Banwell

It’s a pleasure to welcome Alex Banwell to the blog today. I very much enjoyed both books in her new series – Just Benny and her latest book, Releasing Janet, the follow up. In Book 1 we saw Janet, Benny’s mother, in her identity as the mum of a disabled child, giving herself to that role and often coming across as overbearing. But in Releasing Janet we get to meet the real Janet and understand her motivations and the secret at the heart of her family that has shaped her life in so many ways. It’s a beautifully written book with themes of loss, grief, love, and family. Alex shapes Janet’s story masterfully, showing how a childhood event has meant that she lives with trauma and guilt that she’s pushed away over the years, and how they in turn have shaped her, the way she parents and the way she interacts with others. This is a book about a journey of healing – a character-driven novel that will draw you into the lives of the people portrayed due to the author’s keen observations of the way humans tick. It’s a story of faith, too, and a God who loves to walk with us through our suffering and bring healing and light where there has been darkness. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more of Alex’s books!

I asked Alex a few questions about the process.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your writing.

I live in the beautiful Forest of Dean with my husband Jonathan. It’s the ideal place for going on long walks and appreciating the beauty of God’s creation. When the weather permits, you’ll generally find me sitting on my garden swing, either knitting while listening to a good book, or letting my imagination run wild as I weave stories, most of which will probably never be published. I’ve always been a creative person with an overactive brain, although it took many years for me to find the courage to organise some of my thoughts into a book.

Your new book, Releasing Janet, is the follow up to Just Benny. Tell us a little about the first book, and how they link together.

Just Benny focuses on a boy born with severe epilepsy. It follows the first sixteen years of his life and in particular, his struggles with self-worth. Sadly, many of his problems stem from his mother’s over-coddling. So in Releasing Janet, I set out to explore the hidden family secrets and unanswered questions that made Janet the helicopter mother we all loved to hate. My hope is that by the end of it, the reader will have a little more empathy for the main character. I certainly did as her story unfolded.

What gave you the idea for this series of books, and Releasing Janet in particular?

I am fascinated by relationships and family dynamics, especially where there are tragedies, disabilities, or health challenges to contend with. Having been born blind and having observed my own family and the families of other disabled friends, I have noticed that the very thing that strengthens one person can destroy another. Some of us embrace challenges, while others run away or bury their heads in the sand. Yet if we look closely, there tend to be reasons behind these varied reactions. These are some of the issues I have sought to unpack thus far in the Benny series. Our actions and reactions affect the lives of others. Janet’s coddling makes Benny immature and nervous, but Janet herself is only trying to protect her son from experiencing the hurts she has faced. However, her over-indulgence affects Benny’s father and elder sister, and problems only escalate if lessons aren’t learned. Ultimately, I would like to point my readers to Jesus, the only person who is able to bind up our wounds from the past, set us free, and give us a hope and a future.

You’ve published Releasing Janet through a newer publisher, Broad Place Publishing. Can you tell us a little bit about your experience with this publisher?

I was so honoured when Joy and Natasha invited me to be a member of the Broad Place family. I had self-published the first edition of Just Benny in 2022, but I knew the book needed a lot of fine tuning. I was beyond grateful when Natasha offered her editing skills. I am thrilled with the result, and with Releasing Janet. Having publishers who are committed to praying for both me and my books is such a blessing, and I hope to work with them again in the future.

What would you love readers to take away from Releasing Janet?

The theme that emerged loud and clear as I was writing was the importance of truth. Knowing and facing up to the truth can be painful, but ultimately, it will set you free. Half-truths or buried secrets can cause irreparable damage, especially to young children. I pray that Janet’s journey will give my readers the courage to seek their own truths, and the confidence to know that if they reach out for heavenly help, they will never be alone.

Finally, tell us where we can get hold of a copy of the book, and how we can find out more about your future projects.

Currently, my books can either be purchased directly from my publisher’s website at https://broadplacepublishing.co.uk, or from Amazon here.

I also have a website, https://www.alexbanwellauthor.com, and a monthly newsletter, https://subscribepage.io/alexbanwell.

Thank you so much to Alex for these great answers! It’s a pleasure to host you and I pray your new book will touch many lives.