An Interview with Janell L. Jordan
Janell L. Jordan is a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMCHS) and a children’s book author whose work blends heartfelt storytelling with emotional wellness and life skills education. With over thirty years of clinical experience, Janell has worked with children, adults, and families across the United States, and has supported military families overseas – bringing deep insight into self-esteem, anxiety, grief, and resilience to her writing. Janell owns and leads Salem Mental Health Associates in North Carolina, where she continues to provide therapeutic support, mental health advocacy, and community programming. Her professional expertise informs her creative work, enabling her to craft stories that are not only engaging but also meaningful and therapeutic for young readers and their caregivers.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
My creativity and inspiration come from my belief in God and from observing the transitions and life changes we all experience. The Shrewd Granny was uniquely inspired by moments of change, reflection, and growth. I wanted to explore how misfortune and challenges can exist alongside meaningful lessons, and how wisdom often reveals itself when we pause long enough to reflect.
As human beings, we are constantly learning through our experiences, relationships, and seasons of life. This story is about slowing down, taking a closer look at life’s challenges, and gathering the lessons hidden within them. Telling the story rhythmically allowed me to capture the thoughtfulness of the boy’s experiences while also highlighting the joy he finds in spending time with his granny – learning from her love, guidance, and quiet wisdom along the way.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The title came to me fairly easily, just as the story did. However, I did wrestle a bit with how the title might be interpreted given the nature of the book. I didn’t want readers to assume that Granny herself was shrewd in a negative way.
Instead, the title reflects the story from the boy’s perspective. Through a child’s eyes, being required to do tasks – rather than having things done for you – can feel ‘shrewd.’ Yet, beneath those moments of reluctance is genuine love and enjoyment of the time he spends with his granny. While he may not always appreciate the tasks that come with being with her, he deeply values her presence, guidance, and the lessons she teaches along the way.
Describe your dream book cover.
My dream book cover truly came to life. My vision was captured perfectly. The appearance of Granny is a reflection of my own grandmother, Rebecca Segers Robinson. I intentionally wanted to use her image because her loving, nurturing nature mirrors the heart of the character in the story.
Including her likeness made the cover deeply personal and meaningful to me. It serves as a quiet tribute to her influence and the love, wisdom, and warmth she shared – qualities that are woven throughout the story and embodied in Granny’s character.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
In addition to being an author, I have spent over thirty years working as a licensed clinical mental health counselor, supporting children, adults, and families in a variety of settings, including private practice, community mental health, and work with military families both in the United States and overseas. These experiences deeply shape the stories I tell and the emotional themes I explore in my books.
Something readers may not immediately realize is how many personal nuances are woven into The Shrewd Granny. Granny’s Bible reflects my faith, the military photograph nods to my experiences working with military families, and the illustration featuring colorful lanterns is inspired by my time living in South Korea. Each of these details holds personal meaning, and illustrator Eleanor Loseby captured them beautifully and with great care.
Outside of writing and counseling, I continue to enjoy creative pursuits such as painting, photography, and hiking – and I’ve recently added learning to play the guitar to that list. These creative outlets keep me curious, grounded, and inspired.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
If I could offer advice to my past self at the beginning of my writing journey, it would be to trust the process and remain patient. Every experience, transition, and season has purpose. Staying grounded in faith, remaining open to growth, and allowing creativity to unfold naturally makes the journey just as meaningful as the story itself.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
I hope readers remember the message behind the quote, “It is not the giver of gifts but the giver of experiences whom we remember for a lifetime.” I want readers to reflect on the importance of shared moments, presence, and meaningful experiences, especially within relationships. The mindfulness reflections included in the book are also intended to help generate thoughtful conversations around loss, remembrance, and the lessons that remain with us long after someone is gone.
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