About Joanne
Three-time RITA nominee Joanne Rock turned a passion for writing into a career when imaginary characters kept her awake at night, demanding she tell their stories. The author of over fifty romances in a variety of subgenres, she enjoys writing medieval historicals and sexy contemporaries along with the occasional romantic suspense. Joanne traces her passion for all things medieval to an early brush with John Keats' poem "The Eve of St. Agnes" and a rapt fascination with the Pre-Raphaelites' depiction of medieval themes. As a writer, she enjoys supplementing her more research-intensive trips to the Middle Ages with faster-paced contemporary stories sparked by the characters she meets in real life. The move back and forth between very different story styles keeps her Muse singing happily. A former Golden Heart recipient, Joanne has won numerous awards for her stories. Her work has been reprinted in twenty-five countries and translated into nineteen languages. When she's not actively writing her own books, she enjoys teaching writing and literature at Plattsburgh State University (NY).
For more about Joanne, visit her page on Romance Wiki.
Stats at a Glance
- Sun sign: Perfectionist Virgo
- Number of Pets: 1 cat
Duchess in my office - Number of Siblings: 2
- Number of Kids: 3
- What I've Been Doing Lately: Sharing my love of writing with the local sixth graders! I had fun guest teaching for a couple of days at the local high school. Mostly, I'm digging in to read and relax, recharging for the New Year. I'm going to check out The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with my bookclub since we enjoyed the series when it came out. Also, I'm looking into vacation options for the spring.
- Interests: Wine tasting (affordable vino only), journal-keeping, traveling, astrology, world religions, pscyhology, social history, mystic traditions, Pre-Raphaelite art, the Romance poets, the work of H.D., all things medieval, studies about creativity, personality profiling
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Most Recent Read: The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Q & A With Joanne
What made you want to be a writer?
I've always enjoyed reading and after spending some time at a variety of jobs, I decided I really wanted to explore my love of books. That led to a Masters degree in English and my decision to write a book of my own. One book led to another and another… it's a great career for someone who enjoys reading and the independence of the job allows me to work from home, which is a great plus.
Any tips for writers who are just starting out?
Please do visit my articles page, especially Getting Started with Your Writing. I've also archived a blog at my MySpace page called "Setting the Story Free" where I've compiled ideas for new writers. It's full of practical, straight forward advice you can put to work for your manuscript. I also enjoy speaking to writers groups, so I'm open to workshop requests! I've taught writing at the college level on and off since before I began writing romance, so the teacher in me enjoys sharing what I've learned.
Do you have a critique group?
I work with a critique partner instead of a group, but she's awesome and we've been together since I was working on book #3 and just had kid #2. Catherine Mann is the award-winning, bestselling suspense author who has helped me stay on track and enthused about writing through over the course of eighty combined published novels, and through the rejections that came before those exciting first sales. Cathy was the person who convinced me to enter my books in the Golden Heart (the highest award for unpublished authors in the romance genre) after my first book had been panned by judges the first time out. Lo and behold, thanks to her advice, I finalled in the GH my next time and won the award in 2000. I could credit her with a zillion ways she's helped me, but suffice it to say, I'm very grateful for her influence on my work and am even more grateful to have such a fantastic friend. Learn more about our approach to critiquing here.
What are you working on right now?
I'm revising the book I turned in at the beginning of December, my Uniformly Hot story that will be out in September 2012. At this stage of the writing process, I'm also filling out the Art Fact Sheets that help the production department decide how to package the story. After I revise the book, I'll have two other chances to read the full and make changes before it makes its way to the printer.
Contact Joanne
Connect with Joanne on Facebook and MySpace or shoot her an email at jrock008@gmail.com.