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JOANNE WADSWORTH
Reading
romance books captivated Joanne Wadsworth as a teenager, particularly when she
tucked herself into bed at night and continued to dream those stories as she
slept. She'd visualize the direction, taking the hero and heroine on an
adventure unparalleled to what she'd read.
Today she is devoted to writing romance, bringing her imagination to
life within the lines of young adult, and thrilling romantic suspense.
Born in New
Zealand, Joanne works both as a writer and a financial controller, all while
keeping up with her four energetic children and dreamy husband.
How/why did you start to write?
Thank you, Leanne, for inviting
me on your blog. (It's a pleasure, Joanne. Thank you for visiting.) It’s lovely to be here. I started writing full-time in 2009,
completing four books that year. Writing quickly became an addiction and in
2010, I wrote another four and entered one in a writing competition (but it
didn’t place.) In 2011, I wrote a further three books and partway through that
year, saw my skills growing at a fantastic rate. At this point I had yet to
submit to an agent/publisher, but now I saw it was time for me to take another
look at my first manuscript. I loved those characters and the storyline.
There’s a special place in a writer’s heart for their first finished piece of
work. My only problem was “Protector” needed a complete “rewrite.” So I set to
work and after five months, was finally grinning proudly with my young adult
novel in my hands. Now what to do with it? I began the rigorous submission
process. That’s a tough road to travel with a ton of rejections, but on 9th
January 2012, I got my first “yes” from Lyrical Press, NY.
How did you become an author?
I finally feel I’m there, and
that’s only after the long haul of editing rounds and all the learning that’s
involved. I adore my editor--she’s taught me more than I ever thought possible.
What was your first published piece?
Protector is a young
adult/fantasy/paranormal romance and is available from 7th January
2013. That’s a day that will be embedded in my mind forever.
Where was it published?
With the fabulous Lyrical
Press, NY, and it’s available as an ebook in the links below.
What did you do before embarking on your writing career?
Was it an asset to your writing? How?
I work part-time as a financial
controller, which is all about accounting. It’s nowhere near as interesting as
being a writer. I much prefer to delve into the world of storytelling, only the
“other career” pays the bills. Can’t give that up!
What inspires you?
Music, but it needs to be
country or certain pop artists where I can hear the lyrics. As I’m attending to
other chores or driving, I’ll listen to my favorite singers, and afterward hit
my laptop and my writing inevitably flows.
I also go to sleep at night with
my characters on my mind. There’s nothing better than multitasking. That’s
right--I sleep and run plot lines. That took a few months to perfect, but the
mind is like a muscle and I found quite trainable. I hear a lot of other
writers do the same.
Please share one of your successful author platform
building techniques
Oh, definitely twitter. For me,
I can connect with other writers and readers all over the world. If you use
twitter to its full advantage by gaining a solid follower base, and reciprocate
by following back, your network platform builds quickly. I’ve met so many
wonderful people who’ve supported me with my writing on twitter, and likewise I
support them in return. Twitter is social, yet not demanding. Selling books is
all about word-of-mouth in many cases, and people who like what you’ve written
will tweet about it. Now that’s great free advertising.
Parting words
Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Leanne. I
thoroughly enjoyed being here. (Thank you for visiting. It was a pleasure. Best wishes.)
PROTECTOR BOOK LINKS: http://www.joannewadsworth.com/books/
Look for JOANNE WADSWORTH
here:
http://www.joannewadsworth.com (My
website and blog)
http://www.twitter.com/JoanneWadsworth
(Twitter)
http://www.facebook.com/JoanneWadsworthRomanceAuthor
(Facebook Fan Page)
PROTECTOR
To love and
protect…across worlds.
Eighteen-year-old Faith Stryker is prepared to leap out into the
unknown world beyond her home shores of New Zealand to experience life. Only
she never expected to encounter Magio, a planet with two warring countries,
where its people reach adulthood at eighteen by coming into their strength and
prophetic abilities. Only after Faith discovers she’s a halfling--thanks to her
warrior father she’s never met--does her own skill of forethought develop.
Peacio’s Prince Davio Loveria is sent to the young Faith Stryker by his
grandfather, but not all goes as planned. Davio discovers Faith isn’t just a
halfling, she’s also his soul-bound mate--an intense relationship he cannot,
nor will not, give up.
PROTECTOR
Davio leaned over me, all six foot four of him, his warm honey-brown
hair falling forward to curl snugly around his neck, and I longed for him, just
as I had during my first sighting of him in the classroom.
“What’s happening is the bond, my mate. It will become difficult for
me to keep my distance both physically and emotionally unless I leave and end
this now.”
My heart hitched. “You want to leave?” I swayed closer on impulse.
“Is that how this bond works? We find each other and then you leave?” God
preserve his people if it did.
I frowned. Hold on--did he just say he would be joining with another woman?
I bit my tongue. That was good? I should leave it at that, right?
Jeez, what was wrong with me for questioning that choice?
“I’m sorry. We just met, and you’re right. Go find your, your--” Strangely, I struggled to get the words out and finally gave up. “Well, have yourself a nice long life, and all that.” I patted his chest roughly.
That was more like me.
The clock ticked and time slowed.
He didn’t move.
“Look at me.” He tipped up my chin, directly staring at me. “This would never work."
“I understand. It’s been pretty awful meeting you too.” I leaned back, only to feel the pressure of his hand move around my waist to the small of my back, preventing me.
