Author Name:
Janet A. Wilson
Book Title:
All You’ll See is Sky, Resetting a Marriage on an Adventure Through Africa
Website URL:
Social Media Links:
https://linktr.ee/JanetAWilson
Link to author page on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/author/janetawilson
What is your book about?
When my husband and I embarked on a 25,000-mile drive across Africa, we couldn’t anticipate how the thrilling highlights and challenges would force us to reevaluate every belief, opinion, and value we held. Eight months into the journey, we faced every traveler’s worst nightmare. After a heartbreaking tragedy and my arrest, we made critical decisions that transformed our relationship, bringing us to a level of trust and commitment we had never experienced—and a deeper understanding of our place in the world.
This suspenseful and emotional true account explores the themes of love, resilience, and the power of forgiveness in the face of adversity. It is a memoir of a woman’s transformation from brokenness to wholeness and a couple’s transformation from breakdown to breakthrough.
What inspired you to write your book?
I was a member of a writer’s group, and they encouraged me to write my memoir. My husband and I have also given many presentations on our travels, and the most common question, regardless of the topic, is, “How on earth did you put each other alone in a car for 16 months?” This question became the theme of my memoir. My husband and I certainly had to learn the street smarts of marriage to make it safely from Cape Town to Cairo.
If you have a business related to your book, tell us about it:
I am retired. In Africa, I worked as a midwife and in Canada as a registered nurse in acute care.
What is a typical day like for you?
I write almost every day. I’ve kept journals since my youth. During our travels, I kept detailed journals, including the GPS where we camped, which certainly was a bonus when writing my memoir. I also love photography, so I have photos of almost every incident I write about, including the people. I take photos whenever possible. I also walk daily; our active dog keeps us going, and I work out with a trainer twice a week.
What do you most enjoy about what you do?
I enjoy journaling. I also love photography. I went on a course with a wildlife National Geographic Photographer, one of my life’s most memorable experiences. And, of course, I love to travel, explore and learn about people, cultures, and history, and to explore the natural wonders of the world.
What are some favorite books you’d recommend to our readers?
Anyone interested in Southern Africa should read books by Peter Godwin. My favorite book by Peter Godwin is When Crocodiles Eats The Sun, A Memoir of Africa. My Traitor’s Heart by Rian Malan is a powerful book that impacted me deeply. Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, An African Childhood by Alexandra Fuller is a terrific read.
What advice do you have to offer our readers?
Read, read, and keep journals. Don’t be afraid to follow your heart and dreams and live every day to the fullest.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
My husband and I have driven 50,000 miles across Africa, from Alaska to Argentina, and around Europe. We’ve traveled to 99 countries.
What’s next for you?
I have drafts of two more potential books. One is a sequel to my memoir, which I am considering, as many readers have expressed interest in knowing more about our journeys.
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