Debra's Book Cafe
9
Sep 2013
Joanne Rawson
is a new British author with an American publisher Melange Books.
Author of
Having My Baby Anthology – Learner Mum (November 2013)
For Better or For Worse (Jan 2013) No Strings Attached (Jan 2013) Trials And Tribulations Of A Blind Date
Anthology – Unexpected Blind Date (June 2013)
www.melange-books.com
If you could
work with any other author, who would it be and why?
I love the
easy questions first. My dream of
becoming a writer started, way back when I was seven or eight. Therefore, I would have to say Enid
Blyton. The first book I ever read of
hers was The Folk of the Magic Faraway Tree.
Even at that early age, the way she wrote her stories blew me away,
hungry to read everything, The Famous Five, Mallory Towers and St
Catherine’s. Each week I saved my pocket
money to buy another book. My second
choice would have to be Agatha Christie, again a phenomenal writer. I always
pack a couple of Christie books when I go travelling.
If I had to
make a choice today, well strange as it seems Peter Kay. He is without doubt the funniest British
comedian and talented writer. He has a
fantastic ability at observing people, and making it hilarious. Ideally, we would combine his skills of witty
observations and my romance, to create an awesome romantic comedy.
What would be
a typical working day for you? When and where do you write?
I do not have
a typical working day. I write when inspiration
strikes, which normally is in the early hours of the morning, or late at night.
Mainly I do
my chores in the morning, do my yoga and swim, then lunch. I then spend the afternoon configurating my
notes. I used to write at the kitchen
table, not really an ideal place, but now I have converted our spare bedroom
into an office. From October to April, my husband and I spend a lot of time in
South Goa, and I find sitting outside a bamboo hut, looking at the sea and sand
inspirational.
I always have a pen and paper to hand, even
when I am out, so my husband is used to me midway through conversation pulling
out my pad and scribbling. Twice a week
we sit down together and have a brainstorm session, on plots, where my book is
going etc... It’s not writing but still
working, (with a glass of wine!)
Don’t laugh,
but when I am writing and alone, I often act out the story.
What is the
hardest part of the writing for you?
Hoping I am
giving my readers what they want.
When and why
did you first start writing?
My first
attempt at public writing was a competition at school when I was about eight or
nine with John Miller my next-door neighbour, we wrote a funny short story that
won us a Maggie badge. (Magpie was a
70’s kids programme)
It was always
my childhood dream to write, but there was always something more important like
my studies, then boys! followed by work and marriage. Back in 2005 my husband and I left the busy
life of restaurant Managers for Toby Carvery.
People asked me how I was going to spend my time. I knew then, it was the right time for me to
make my dream come true.
How did you
come up with the idea for the book your book?
No Strings
Attached, the title came first, then the million-dollar question why my
character would want no strings attached.
As I recall I was listening to Michael Buble while cleaning up, ‘I just
haven’t met you yet’ was playing, and the story just came into my head right
there and then. That afternoon I began writing.
6. Are you a
big reader? If so, what are you reading now?
Yes, an avid
reader of romance and chick lit; of course, I have to check out the
competition! I also enjoy a good mystery
and there is nothing better than a good murder.
When I’m not writing, I read. I
read before I get up in the morning, and before I go to sleep at night. Sunday afternoons is my big read day.
At the
moment, I am reading Stephen King called Lisey’s Story.
7. Do you
have any advice for other aspiring writers?
The best
advice that I can give any aspiring writer, is a quote from Erica James, which
I keep next to my laptop when I am writing.
“You have to
write about what you know, and hope an editor will find it interesting. Most of
us have a book inside us. It’s just
having the discipline to get it out that’s needed.”
It’s a
cutthroat author world out there, (unless you’re a celebrity or Britain’s got
Talent finalist,) don’t give up, and most of all don’t aim too high.
As my
wonderful husband keeps telling me, it’s an apprenticeship.
Labels: Joanne Rawson
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