PHOTO: DJ Bowman-Smith, author and artist, bringing diverse worlds to life through her books and illustrations.
Exploring The Mid Witch Series
DJ Bowman-Smith discusses her evolution from hairdressing to writing, her paranormal fiction and fantasy series, children’s books, and the process of balancing humor and complex themes across multiple genres.
DJ Bowman-Smith has carved out a unique niche in the literary world, seamlessly transitioning from a career in hairdressing and teaching to becoming a multifaceted author. As highlighted in a recent interview published in Reader’s House magazine, Bowman-Smith’s journey into writing wasn’t a premeditated ambition from her early years, but rather a natural evolution. Despite battling mild dyslexia and facing challenges in the traditional educational system, her storytelling passion remained a constant, leading her to embrace the world of writing with enthusiasm.
Her paranormal women’s fiction series, The Mid Witch, boldly intertwines humor, magic, and the experiences of mature women. The series follows Lily, a heroine who discovers her witchy powers amidst personal life upheavals, including menopause, divorce, and an empty nest. Bowman-Smith’s goal in this series is to authentically represent mature women, giving them a voice that resonates with readers while keeping the narrative lighthearted and humorous. She shared that the key to balancing these elements is the editorial process, where she refines her language to make the characters and their experiences feel genuine.
In addition to The Mid Witch, Bowman-Smith’s dark fantasy series, Crystal Bound, showcases her adeptness at managing complex narratives with multiple perspectives. She has developed a systematic approach to track the intricacies of her characters and plot points, ensuring the clarity and depth of her storytelling.
Beyond adult fiction, DJ Bowman-Smith also writes children’s books under the pen name Tiger Molly. She started in children’s literature, creating engaging stories for young readers with her own illustrations. Her talent as an artist enriches her storytelling, as she designs evocative book covers that align with the themes of her works.
At one point, Bowman-Smith also hosted The Words & Pictures Podcast, through which she engaged in insightful conversations with authors and creatives from around the world. However, the demands of producing the podcast led to her decision to concentrate on writing, a choice she feels has benefited her creative journey.
For aspiring authors, particularly those exploring multiple creative avenues or beginning later in life, Bowman-Smith advises focusing on completing projects before starting new ones and embracing the wealth of life experiences they can bring to their writing. Her story serves as an inspiration, proving that it’s never too late to pursue one’s passion and fully embrace the craft of storytelling.
This article is based on DJ Bowman-Smith’s interview published in Reader’s House magazine. For more about her work and creative insights, visit her website at www.djbowmansmith.com.
