Q: Johanna...what made you become a writer?
A: I don't think you can be a writer without having,
if not talent, then an inherent verbal ability. You have to love words. Nearly
every writer I know loves to read. In addition, you have to have something of a
decent imagination that can come up with entertaining concepts that, even if
they aren't new, have something special about them. The decision you
really have to make is whether or not you want to become a professional writer.
It's a huge commitment because no matter how much raw talent you have or how
many unique and fascinating stories are in your head, if you don't know the
craft, no one will enjoy your work. That means dedicating yourself to learning
how to write so an audience can understand and fully appreciate what you're
giving them. You need to know grammar and punctuation, how words work on a
page. On top of that, there's character building, world-building, plotting,
dramatic tension, etc. It's not easy and it takes a lifetime.
Q: What is your typical writing day like?
A: I write daily, although everyone needs a day off.
I work in three groupings––early morning, afternoon, and after midnight. Some
days there's too much else to do and I don't beat myself up when I haven't
worked on my current document that day. Of course, when deadlines rear their
ugly heads––or inspiration strikes––I work for much longer. I've been
known to pretty much have a 24-hour writing session with short
naps and meal breaks.
Q: Do you outline? If so, how extensive are your
outlines?
A: I always have a general outline for the book, but
some sections get more details than others. Sometimes I'll have actual
lines, paragraphs, or short sequences, but usually the actual book has scenes I
didn't necessarily plan for.
Q: How many revisions will you typically do on a novel?
A: I like to do three. One of my own, one after I've
had a beta-reader/proofreader review it, and then another after I've let the
book sit for a while.
Q: What is your best tip for editing a manuscript?
A: As a professional editor and proofreader, it
really is necessary to get another eye on your work because otherwise you'll
miss the little things. When you're too familiar with something, typos and
other errors become invisible. Also, always give yourself at least a week away
from a manuscript before revising it.
Q: Which writing habits and/or tricks of the trade
have made you a better writer?
A: Have something to drink and a snack nearby. Make
sure your set-up is comfortable. Sometimes I'll give myself a half hour just to
write and then do some short task before returning to the computer.
Q: Do you ever suffer through writer’s block? If so,
how do you fight it?
A: I'm a professional hypnotherapist and created a
whole program for that very purpose. When it happens to me, I check to see what
sort of stress is going on around me. I very well may have other things in my
life that are more important at the moment.
Sometimes you have to sit down and mentally review the entire story from what you have to where you're going. Then just send it all to your subconscious mind. That's the part of you that comes up with the story and the words. Then step back and give it a day or two before going back to work, but don't start where you left off. Clean up an earlier scene or write out one to come. Usually that will get things sorted out and you'll just know what needs to be done. Or I'll sit down and write stream-of-consciousness from a character's point of view or a scene that happens, but isn't in the book.
Sometimes you have to sit down and mentally review the entire story from what you have to where you're going. Then just send it all to your subconscious mind. That's the part of you that comes up with the story and the words. Then step back and give it a day or two before going back to work, but don't start where you left off. Clean up an earlier scene or write out one to come. Usually that will get things sorted out and you'll just know what needs to be done. Or I'll sit down and write stream-of-consciousness from a character's point of view or a scene that happens, but isn't in the book.
Q: What drew you to write your preferred genre(s)?
A: I really don't know why I usually write Science
Fiction/Fantasy/Speculative. I just started writing those kinds of
stories. However, my latest novel, Why Hate the Billionaire? is
a sexy romance, my first in that genre and it was written on a dare. I've
enjoyed writing it and it has done so well that I'm sticking with this genre
for a whole series called "The Delanys."
Q: Do you utilize beta readers?
A: As often as possible.
Q: In your most recently published novel, what’s one
scene you really enjoyed writing—and why?
A: It was probably the last scene––and not
because it meant I was finished with the book! It had a bit of everything in it
from love and humor to violence plus some twists that I hope surprise the
reader.
Q: What makes the main character(s) of your most
recent novel so special?
A: The genre I'm writing in has some conventions
that do bother me. Most Billionaire books are based on wish
fulfillment––"If I only had an incredibly sexy man who was obsessed with
me, could buy me everything I wanted, and took care of everything, then I'd be
happy." As a therapist, I know the best relationships have an inherent
balance. I wanted a heroine who was strong and independent enough to say
"no" to the usual attractions and a hero who had to learn that what
he thought was important in life wasn't.
Q: What is your best advice for author
self-promotion?
A: Do as much as you can. Use everything you can,
especially on the Internet, but research first. Go to the Author Café page on
kBoards.com. There are a lot of knowledgeable writers there talking about what
you need to know. And remember, if you don't publicize your work, no one else
will.
Q: How do you deal with negative reviews?
A: Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Some
people are simply not going to like what I write or it won't be the appropriate
kind of story for them. That's true for submissions, critic/blog reviews, and
reader reviews.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of being an indie
author?
A: Being in control of everything.
Q: What is your least favorite aspect of
being an indie author?
A: Being responsible for everything!
Q: What is your current writing project?
A: I'm working on the sequel to Why Hate the
Billionaire? called Why Trust the Billionaire? which will be out
in the fall. The third book, Why Love the Billionaire? will be out in
the winter, hopefully by January, 2016.
Q: What are three of your favorite novels?
A: There are too many, but I do think that Jane
Austen's Pride and Prejudice is an almost perfect book in that every
word counts in every direction. There's nothing that doesn't illuminate the
rest of the story. You may hate the style or have trouble with the language,
but it's a perfect melding of art and craft. I'm also a sucker for the Alice
in Wonderland books, especially the annotated ones.
Q: If you could have lunch with any novelist, living
or dead, who would it be? What would talk to them about?
A: It would depend. If I wanted to talk about being
a successful writer, then Charles Dickens is the man. Jane Austen knew the
power of the word better than anyone. But for fun, I'd probably go with Fanny
Burney or Mary Shelley. They lived in the middle of history, knew the important
players, and wrote about them.
Q: What is your best piece of advice for budding
authors?
A: Hone your craft in whatever manner works best for
you. Some people like classes or workshops while others study the craft by
themselves. And always remember to rewrite, rewrite, rewrite!
Q: What is your favorite inspirational quote?
A: I hate inspirational anything!
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