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)
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.
$o.99 From Melange Books
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.
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