Between Land and Sea by Joanne Guidoccio - Interview and Giveaway

Joanne Guidoccio stops by to answer a few of our questions today as part of her virtual book tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. Joanne will be awarding a $75 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on her tour for more chances to win!

Thanks for coming by, Joanne. Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I never intended to write fantasy. For most of my adult life, I enjoyed reading contemporary women’s fiction, cozy mysteries, historical fiction, memoirs and self-help books. And while I dabbled in these genres, I didn’t take myself too seriously until I attended a series of workshops facilitated by science fiction writer Sarah Totton. Impressed by her work ethic and persistence—she entered the “Writers of the Future Contest” seventeen times before winning—I listened attentively to her writing advice. After several sessions, I started to play around with different scenarios. My primary objective was to write light and breezy fantasy that would appeal to boomer women—Fantasy Hen Lit.

What research (or world-building—for fantasy/paranormal/Sci-fi) is required?

Unlike other fantasy and science fiction writers, I did not have to research extensively before writing Between Land and Sea. Determined to shatter the stereotype of the young and beautiful mermaid, there was no need to borrow from the “mermaid” literature.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

From Isabella, I learned that we must write our own reinvention stories. Not with ink, but with our choices. And we must not waste too much time and energy bemoaning the supposedly “perfect” life we left behind.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

I am controlled by a bird clock. Each hour, one of my feathered friends, among them the Downy Woodpecker, Belted Kingfisher, and Great Horned Owl, chirp and remind me to stretch, switch gears, take a break or stop writing for the day.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I am a plotter and enjoy the planning stage of each novel. I start with a list of characters and include details about their appearance, careers and relationships. Location is next. In Between Land and Sea, I wanted Isabella to end up in Canada, but needed her to have a short stop in London. Once the logistics were complete, I created a rough synopsis (500 to 600 words) and started writing.

Look to your right—what’s sitting there?

A copy of The Four Doors by Richard Paul Evans. Whenever I need a jolt of inspiration, I turn to the self-help literature. I like to keep a small, pick-me-upper near me at all times. This month, I’m enjoying Richard’s latest book, chock full of wonderful advice and insights.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

I am working on The Coming of Arabella, the second book in the Mediterranean trilogy. Another mermaid rises from the depths and wreaks havoc in Isabella’s life. On the back burner, I have A Season for Killing Blondes and a memoir of my cancer experience, When It Comes Out of Nowhere.

Do you have a question for our readers?

Reinvention is a recurring theme in all my books. A self-help junkie, I am open to different points of view and out-of-the box suggestions.

What advice would you give someone facing a do-over or reinvention in his/her life?

About the Author:

In high school, I dabbled in poetry, but decided to wait until I had more life experiences before writing a novel. The original plan was to get a general arts degree and take a few years off to travel and write. Instead, I gave in to my practical Italian side and obtained degrees in mathematics and education.

While I experienced many satisfying moments during my teaching career, I never found the time and energy to write. In 2008, I took advantage of early retirement. Slowly, a writing practice emerged and my articles and book reviews started appearing in newspapers, magazines and online.

My debut novel, Between Land and Sea, a paranormal romance about a middle-aged mermaid, was released by Soul Mate Publishing on September 18, 2013.

I live and write in Guelph, Ontario.

Where to find Joanne…

Website: www.JoanneGuidoccio.com
Twitter:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BetweenLandandSeaJG
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jguidoccio/
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7277706.Joanne_Guidoccio

After giving up her tail for an international banker, Isabella of the Mediterranean kingdom is aged beyond recognition. The horrified banker abandons her on the fog-drenched shores of southwest England, leaving her to face a difficult human journey as a plain and practically destitute fifty-three-year-old woman.

With the help of a magic tablet and online mermaid support, Isabella evolves into the persona of Barbara Davies. Along the way, she encounters a cast of unforgettable characters, among them former mermaids, supportive and not-so-supportive women, deserving and undeserving men, and several New Agers.

Enjoy the book video:


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