Interviewing fellow writers is always fun for me, but when you get to chat to an author whose work you read and enjoy, it’s just that much more enjoyable. This month my interviewee is the talented Joanne Rock. She’s a three time RITA nominee who writes medieval historicals and sexy contemporary romances for such lines as Harlequin Blaze. Her books have been reprinted in 24 countries and translated into 19 languages. Pick up any of her books and within the first few pages you’ll see why her books (and characters) are loved everywhere. For more information about Joanne and for a complete list of her books visit her Web site at www.joannerock.com
Susan Palmquist(SP)-You won the Golden Heart in 2001 for Hot for Teacher that was later published as Learning Curves for Harlequin Temptation. How long had you been writing before the win? Did you have the Temptation line in mind when you sat down to write it? Do you think winning the Golden Heart was a critical turning point for you?
Joanne Rock (JR)-I had been writing for over five years by the time I won the Golden Heart, and yes, I had targeted Temptation when I began Learning Curves. The Golden Heart was helpful for me in a couple of ways– first, it provided a motivating deadline to finish up the book in order to be eligible for the contest that year. Second, it got me in front of an editor quickly. I think the GH is a great contest and I had entered twice before winning– finalling the second year and winning my third.
SP-You write medieval historicals, sexy contemporaries and sometimes romantic suspense. Do you write two books at a time, or work on only one genre at a time?
JR-I really prefer to write one project at a time, although sometimes I have no choice but to work on one during the deadline for another. I’m capable of that multi-tasking, but my Muse feels a bit fractured when that happens. I like to completely immerse myself in a book when I’m writing. Often, my pleasure reading will reinforce what I’m working on and even my movie-watching plays into that same genre.
SP-You have a keen interest in medieval history. When writers sit down to work on historical novels do you think it’s a plus to like the period you’re writing about? Does it make the research that much easier for you?
JR-I can’t imagine writing any time period that didn’t completely captivate me. I spend so much time researching bits and pieces of information for my historicals that it would be difficult to manage if I didn’t have such love for the period. And while the Middle Ages have been my long-time interest, I can imagine a time when I could become fixated on something else. It’s historical people that interest me– how they coped with the challenges of their times. So perhaps if I heard a particular story about someone in another time period, it would entice me to explore something new. For now, I have lots I still want to learn about medieval times.
SP-You’re obviously a busy lady, you write, you have a family…any tips for organizing your time?
JR-This is a question I could truly discuss for days! I’ve made it a mission in life to organize myself to have time for all the many things that are important to me. I’m afraid I sometimes go too far and organize everyone else in my life as well! But one of my most important techniques for organization is to revisit your schedule seasonally and/or yearly to see what’s working and what isn’t. I need to radically change my whole system for getting work done in the summer while the kids are out of school. Also, as they get older, I’ve found different pockets of time that I didn’t have before. So it’s good to remain flexible and stay alert for how life changes to give you different opportunities to work and stay productive.
SP-You wrote for Temptation and now Blaze and your latest is the newest Encounters book, Sliding into Home containing four short stories all with a baseball theme. Did Harlequin approach you about the new series and did you pick the baseball theme?
JR-I wanted to write an Encounters as soon as I read the first one, One Wild Wedding Night, by Leslie Kelly. I enjoy writing and reading novellas, and I thought the Encounters format was a fantastic idea. I broached the subject with my editor right away, and sports heroes immediately came to mind. When we looked at the calendar and saw the summer as a possibility for this book, it was apparent I should turn to the boys of summer for my stories. Because my husband is a former sports editor, I have a great deal of sports knowledge and more than a little appreciation for the mindset of a competitive athlete. Sliding Into Home was such fun for me that I’m planning another baseball-themed Blaze for 2010.
SP-I’ve read many of your Blaze books including the anthology, A Blazing Little Christmas which I loved. You create such well rounded and yes, very sexy characters. Any tips for making characters come to life on the page?
JR-Thank you! I know that great characters are what make me respond to a book as a reader, so I work hard to make my characters come alive as a writer. For me, it’s important to think through the roots of a character before I get to work. I ask myself “why” about as many aspects of the character as possible. Why did they choose a certain life path? Why that career? Why choose those friends? The more I can uncover about a character, the more they begin to dictate their stories to me as opposed to me directing them through the course of a book. It’s much more fun with the characters at the helm, but it takes time to really explore their past and their goals to reach that point. For my novella in A Blazing Little Christmas, I got to show snippets of the characters’ shared past through a few flashback episodes, something I don’t do very often, but which worked so well for those characters.
SP-2010 is going to be a great year for your fans. You have a Blaze historical, The Captive due for an April release followed by Manhunting another Blaze historical, The Harlequin historical, In the Laird’s Bed, and a Harlequin Undone, A Lady’s Pursuit. Seems you’re blending your two favorite things, sexy characters and historicals. Was it a conscious decision to mix the two?
JR-Yes. I think it’s important to meet reader expectations and my readers have come to expect a sexy story when they pick up one of my books. Whether I’m writing a Blaze, a historical or making an appearance in another Harlequin series, I try to ensure readers always find the elements they enjoy most about my stories. As for writing a Blaze Historical, that was the kind of miniseries that seemed tailor-made for me with my long-time ties to Blaze and my joy of medieval historicals. I couldn’t raise my hand fast enough to volunteer for this series when I heard about it.
SP-Any tips for writers wanting to try writing for Blaze?
JR-Read the line, and in particular, read the newest writers in the line to get an idea for what editors have bought most recently. The newest writers tend to be pointing the direction the editors want to take the series, so it helps to be aware of the trends. That being said, it’s still a good idea to make any idea yours. Don’t be afraid to let your voice shine– dark or humorous, quirky or dry– because that unique voice is what makes your work stand out above all the rest. As long as it’s sexy, Blaze is interested.
SP-On your Web site you mention and give credit to your critique partner, Catherine Mann. Looks like the two of you work well as a team. Most of us know critique partners are worth their weight in gold. How did the two of you meet? And any tips on how to find a good critique partner?
JR-Cathy and I are so fortunate to work together thanks to the advice of a mutual writer friend and former RWA board member, Sue Morgan. We were all members of the NOLA chapter in Shreveport, LA. Cathy and I were both new to the area and Sue had read work for both of us. She said in no uncertain terms that we needed to work together and since she was such a valued mentor for both of us, we paid attention! We clicked immediately. Our critique partnership turned into one of the most important friendships in my life. The years we were both trying to write a book that would sell were filled with constant phone calls, emails and visits as we tried to piece together what it took to be the most effective writer. I’m positive that knowing her shortened my time in the trenches because she did half the work for me, and vice versa!
SP-When a reader finishes one of your books, what do you hope they think…feel?
JR-I hope they close the book with a happy sigh and a touch of regret to say goodbye to the characters. I know that’s the way I feel when I finish a great romance and I would really love to be able to provide that same experience for readers.
SP-Have you ever thought about writing in any other genres? Anything you’d like to try?
JR-There are many things I would like to try some day! I think it helps my writing that I have a strong sense of curiosity about the world and I like to read anything and everything. So when I read a great YA book, I think it would be neat to write one. Ditto a great history book. Or a fun memoir! But I don’t think I’d try anything radically new for awhile as I’m really enjoying where I am at this moment.
SP-What are you working on right now?
JR-I’m currently plotting a story for my next sports hero for Blaze– the baseball-themed book that will be out in 2010.
SP-Anything else you’d like to share with your readers and fellow writers?
JR-I’d like aspiring writers to know how much I enjoy discussing the writing process. I use my MySpace blog for “Setting the Story Free,” a place to post writing related articles. For readers, I’d recommend my Facebook page and my website, both of which I use to touch base with readers. I run a contest every month and work hard to keep my site current. Please do drop by to say hello and, most importantly, thank you for reading! Your support allows me to do a job is incredibly fun and I’m very grateful for that.
