Online for Authors Episode 6-11-24

Digital Redemption: A Cybersecurity Tale of Second Chances with Author Janet Roberts

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Janet Roberts, author of the book What Lies We Keep. Janet Roberts is a global leader in cybersecurity education and awareness with over a decade of experience. She holds a BA in Journalism from Temple University, and MA in Communications from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She is a member of both the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA) and Pennwriters. Her first two novels won 1st Place in Fiction from Pittsburgh’s The Authors’ Zone. Her poetry has been published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and in San Fedele Press’ Art in the Time of COVID-19. She lives in Pittsburgh’s East End where Frick Park is her favorite place for a hike. She never met a library, bookstore, or ice cream shop she didn’t like. ​

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I had the pleasure of chatting with Janet Roberts, author of the fascinating novel "What Lies We Keep" on my Online for Authors podcast. This book seamlessly weaves together cybersecurity with the lies we tell one another, creating a gripping tale of suspense and redemption.

Janet shared her own accidental journey into the world of cybersecurity awareness, where she spent 15 years training over 100,000 employees at multinational corporations. She never imagined she'd end up in this field, starting out with a journalism degree and working at small newspapers. But fate had other plans, and she fell in love with the challenge of making cybersecurity engaging for the average person.

Interestingly, the idea for "What Lies We Keep" also started out as an accident. Janet began writing the character of Ted as a one-dimensional vent for her frustrations with corporate ladder climbers. But her writing group pushed her to give him more depth and redemption. Through many revisions and working with a developmental editor, the story evolved into a multi-layered domestic suspense that asks: what happens when we embrace the life we think we should have rather than the life we have?

As a fellow "pantser" writer who loves to experiment with different genres, I could totally relate to Janet's creative process. We both agreed that even the most flawed characters need a hint of humanity to keep readers invested in their journeys. And leaving the ending a bit open allows readers to imagine their own satisfying conclusions.

One of my favorite bits of wisdom from Janet was about finding balance and staying true to yourself, even as you pursue career success. She learned the hard way that chasing titles and moving for jobs can lead to losing touch with the community and rootedness we all need. It's never too late to course correct though, as Janet did by moving back to Pittsburgh near family.

I left our conversation feeling like I'd made a new kindred spirit friend - we even bonded over our mutual love of chunky ice cream! I'm excited to follow Janet's future projects, including a book that sprinkles in some magical realism in the Welsh countryside.

To hear more of Janet's insights on her corporate experiences, character development, genre-blending and the power of place, check out the full podcast interview. And do let me know if any of her story resonated with you - I always love to hear your thoughts!
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P.S. You can find Janet online at booksbyjanetroberts.com, on Instagram @janetroberts77, or email her at [email protected].