Some people learn to write. Others are born with stories already living within them.
For Janet Levine, writing began not with ambition, but with love. As a little girl, she wrote stories for her mother simple words carrying emotions far greater than their pages could hold. She did not know then that those early stories would become the foundation of a lifelong journey as an author, educator, mentor, and voice for social change.
From her school days through university and postgraduate studies, writing remained her truest form of expression. It became the thread connecting every chapter of her life, eventually leading to Inside Apartheid, a powerful political memoir that became a bestseller and an enduring account of South Africa’s apartheid era. Yet Janet has never viewed writing as merely putting words on paper. For her, writing is inseparable from who she is. The author and the person have always shared the same soul.
Throughout her career, Janet has explored education, psychology, literature, and human development with equal passion. She championed the use of the Enneagram in education long before it gained wider recognition, believing that understanding ourselves is the first step toward understanding others. Though resources were limited, her conviction never wavered.
Unlike writers who meticulously plan every scene, Janet allows her stories to unfold naturally. Her characters breathe, struggle, and grow as life itself does. Every novel reflects the experiences she has lived, the people she has encountered, and the wisdom she has gathered along the way. Inspired by the timeless works of William Shakespeare and strengthened by remarkable mentors, she has cultivated a literary voice that is both deeply personal and universally human.
Her guiding philosophy “Sharing Expertise to Enrich Your Life” captures the essence of her work. Whether through books, workshops, or conversations, Janet believes knowledge finds its greatest meaning when it helps others grow. Her recent historical novel, Liv’s Secrets, written during the quiet solitude of the pandemic years, stands as another testament to her belief that even life’s most difficult seasons can give birth to extraordinary stories.
Beyond her accomplishments, Janet remains grounded in what matters most: family, education, community, and balance. She has never allowed her passion for writing to overshadow her roles as a mother, grandmother, teacher, wife, and mentor. Each has enriched the other, giving her stories the authenticity that readers continue to cherish.
As she looks toward the next chapter of life, Janet hopes not for greater acclaim, but for something far more meaningful time. Time to read, to travel, to enjoy nature, to spend with loved ones, and to continue discovering the quiet moments where stories are born.
Because for Janet, writing has never simply come from the mind. It has always come from the soul and through every page she writes, she reminds us that the capacity to inspire, heal, and transform has always been the soul in you.
A Life Written with Purpose
For Janet, writing has never been a career choice it has been a lifelong calling. Long before she became an acclaimed author, educator, and thought leader, she was a young girl writing stories for her mother. Her mother carefully preserved every handwritten page, convinced that one day Janet would become a published author. That early encouragement planted the seeds of a literary journey that has continued for decades.
Throughout her school, university, and postgraduate years, written expression remained one of Janet’s greatest strengths. By the age of eighteen, her opinion pieces were already being published in the Rand Daily Mail, South Africa’s leading liberal newspaper of the time, marking the beginning of a career dedicated to thoughtful commentary and meaningful storytelling.
A decade later, Janet made history by becoming the youngest person and the first woman elected to the Johannesburg City Council, where she served two consecutive four-year terms. Those years immersed her in the complexities of South African society during one of its most defining periods, exposing her to an extraordinary range of personalities, perspectives, and human experiences. These experiences later formed the foundation of her bestselling political memoir, Inside Apartheid, which remains an influential account of life during South Africa’s apartheid era.
Among the defining moments of her journalism career was an invitation from the late Percy Qoboza, editor of The Sowetan, to write a weekly newspaper column. At the time, The Sowetan was the leading newspaper serving Black communities in apartheid South Africa, and Janet became the only White journalist entrusted with such direct access. The opportunity provided her with a unique perspective on a divided nation and deepened her commitment to giving voice to diverse human experiences.
More than three decades ago, Janet encountered the Enneagram personality model at a time when it was considered a niche psychological framework. While many viewed it with skepticism, she recognized its remarkable potential for self-awareness, education, and personal development. Convinced that the model could transform learning, she authored The Enneagram Intelligences, now regarded as a classic resource for educators, followed by Know Your Parenting Personality, which introduced Enneagram principles to parents seeking a deeper understanding of family relationships.
Although funding opportunities to expand her educational initiatives were limited, Janet remained steadfast in her mission. Through workshops, seminars, and invitations from educational institutions across USA and internationally, she continued advocating for the integration of the Enneagram into education long before it became widely accepted. Today, as the model gains global recognition, she believes its time has truly arrived.
The Enneagram has also profoundly influenced Janet’s creative writing. It has shaped not only her understanding of human personality but also the way she develops her fictional characters. Her novel Leela’s Gift explored these themes through storytelling, while her recently completed revised edition, The Awakening of Diya Sharma, continues to place the Enneagram at the heart of its narrative. As she awaits publication, Janet remains optimistic that the novel will further inspire readers to embrace personal growth, self-discovery, and the richness of human potential.
Looking back, Janet’s journey reflects a life dedicated to words, wisdom, and understanding. Whether through journalism, public service, education, or fiction, she has consistently used storytelling as a means to inform, empower, and encourage people to better understand both themselves and the world around them.
Writing as a Reflection of Life
For Janet, writing and research are inseparable two complementary expressions of the same purpose. While research demands structure, analysis, and deliberate inquiry, creative writing is guided by instinct, imagination, and emotional truth. Rather than planning every detail in advance, Janet allows her stories to unfold naturally, trusting the creative process to reveal each character’s journey as it evolves. She believes that all meaningful writing requires is time, focused attention, and confidence in the process itself.
Writing is not simply something Janet does it is an intrinsic part of who she is. She considers it a gift that has accompanied her throughout every stage of her life. Her voice has continually evolved, shaped by lived experiences, changing circumstances, and the countless people whose lives have intersected with her own. Every book she has written reflects not only her knowledge but also the personal growth and understanding gained through each chapter of her life.
Among her greatest literary influences is the rich tradition of the English literary canon, particularly the timeless works of William Shakespeare and other classical authors whose writings continue to illuminate the complexities of the human experience. This lifelong appreciation for literature is reflected in her acclaimed book Reading Matters, where she weaves philosophical ideas together with literary texts to explore the human condition. Much of the book draws upon the knowledge and insights she cultivated during three decades of teaching at Milton Academy in Massachusetts, where literature became a powerful tool for encouraging critical thinking, empathy, and self-discovery.
Whether addressing audiences through political activism, guiding students in the classroom, or crafting compelling works of fiction, Janet has consistently viewed words as her most authentic means of communication. They have enabled her to educate, challenge perspectives, and inspire meaningful dialogue across diverse audiences.
Equally significant to her journey has been the encouragement of remarkable mentors who recognized her potential and opened new opportunities throughout her career. Many of these influential figures were women who not only offered guidance but also expanded her horizons, reinforcing her belief in the transformative power of mentorship, education, and lifelong learning.
For Janet, writing has never been about simply telling stories. It is about understanding people, exploring the human spirit, and creating meaningful connections one page at a time.
A Legacy of Sharing, Truth, and Purpose
Janet has never set out to earn titles or recognition. If she is regarded as an influential author, educator, or mentor today, she considers it a privilege bestowed by others rather than an achievement she deliberately pursued. She remains deeply humbled by the respect her work has received over the years.
Her guiding philosophy is captured in the motto on her website: “Sharing Expertise to Enrich Your Life.” Every book, article, workshop, and lecture she has created has emerged from personal experience, thoughtful reflection, and a genuine desire to help others. For Janet, that is the legacy she hopes to leave behind not simply a collection of published works, but knowledge that enriches lives and encourages personal growth.
Throughout her career, she has remained steadfast in one belief: authenticity is the foundation of meaningful writing. She encourages aspiring writers to be honest, courageous, and persistent—to write with conviction and remain faithful to their own voice. In her view, readers instinctively recognize authenticity, and it is sincerity that ultimately creates lasting connections between a writer and their audience.
Her latest historical novel, Liv’s Secrets, exemplifies this philosophy. Written during the three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the novel was born from a period of reflection, solitude, and uninterrupted creativity. The time allowed Janet to immerse herself fully in the story, crafting a work that earned recognition as a National Book Award nominee. The heartfelt responses from readers, particularly their connection with the novel’s central character, Liv Weisz, have become among the most rewarding acknowledgements of her career.
Looking back, Janet believes that creativity cannot be hurried. It requires patience, trust, and the freedom to develop naturally until a story feels authentic and complete. Recognition may follow or it may not but she believes the true reward lies in creating work that is honest, meaningful, and capable of touching another person’s life.
Her advice to future generations remains simple yet enduring: stay true to yourself, believe in your voice, share your experiences with sincerity, and continue writing with purpose. Success may take many forms, but authenticity and perseverance will always leave the deepest and most lasting impact.
A Life of Balance, Purpose, and Enduring Words
Behind Janet’s successful literary journey stands a network of unwavering support trusted literary agents, thoughtful editors, dedicated beta readers, and, above all, a family that has continually believed in her work. Their encouragement has allowed her to pursue her passion while remaining deeply committed to the many other roles that define her life.
Throughout her career, Janet has maintained a disciplined writing routine, carefully balancing her creative work with her responsibilities as a wife, mother, grandmother, educator, and active member of her community. She has never allowed writing to overshadow the people and relationships that matter most. Instead, she has embraced it as one essential part of a rich and fulfilling life. For Janet, writing is not simply a profession it is an enduring part of her identity that will remain with her regardless of recognition or commercial success.
More than anything, she hopes her books leave readers with something to carry into their own lives. Whether through a novel, memoir, or educational work, her greatest aspiration is that readers pause, reflect, and discover ideas or perspectives that continue to resonate long after the final page has been turned.
Even after decades of writing, Janet’s creative journey is far from complete. She is currently working on a memoir that reflects on her remarkable personal and professional experiences. Looking ahead, however, her ambitions are no longer measured by accolades or publication milestones. Instead, she hopes for a slower, more balanced season of life one filled with good health, meaningful time with family and friends, travel, nature, reading, exercise, quiet reflection, and the simple joy of embracing life’s everyday moments.
The philosophy that has guided Janet throughout her life is deeply rooted in the timeless wisdom of literature. Shakespeare’s enduring words from Hamlet “To thine own self be true” have remained a constant reminder that authenticity is the foundation of both character and creativity. His observation that “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so” reflects her belief in the power of perspective to shape human experience.
Virginia Woolf’s conviction that “A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction” resonates with Janet’s appreciation for the independence, discipline, and creative space required to produce meaningful work.
She is equally inspired by Robert F. Kennedy’s reflection that history is shaped by “numberless diverse acts of courage and belief,” a reminder that lasting change is often created through countless small acts of conviction rather than a single defining moment.
Together, these ideas reflect the values that have shaped Janet’s remarkable journey: authenticity, courage, intellectual curiosity, perseverance, and compassion. They continue to guide not only the stories she writes, but the life she has so thoughtfully lived.