Today’s guest is JoAnne Myers. JoAnne is a very busy lady with painting, writing, and volunteering just part of her vast repertoire.
Hello Jacquie, and thank you for inviting me back. Again I will be awarding two lucky people who comment a paperback or PDF of their choice. The choices are, Murder Most Foul, Wicked Intentions, Twisted Love, The Crime of the Century, Flagitious, Loves, Myths, and Monsters, or Poems About Life, Love, and Everything in Between. It’s your choice.
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
I have been a long-time resident of southeastern Ohio, and worked in the blue-collar industry most of my life. Besides having several novels under my belt, I canvas paint.
When not busy with hobbies or working outside the home, I spend time with relatives, my dog Jasmine, and volunteer my time within the community. I am a member of the International Women’s Writing Guild, Savvy Authors, Coffee Time Romance, Paranormal Romance Guild, True Romance Studios, National Writers Association, the Hocking Hill’s Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County Historical Society and Museum, and the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center. I believe in family values and following your dreams. My original canvas paintings, can be found at: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com
You write in multiple genres and cross genres, such as true crime, mystery, fantasy and paranormal. What appeals to you about these genres?
I have a lot of interests.
With fantasy, you have myths, legends, fairy-tales, and your imagination to conjure up a story. With paranormal you have ghosts and the afterlife to play with, and I do believe in an afterlife. True crime is just that, factual details, that someone experienced. Writing mystery is fun because of the mystery and twists and turns involved. The writer must decide who are the good guys, the bad guys, and the type of mystery involved; whether that is a bank heist, a kidnapping, or a buried treasure to search for.
Can you tell us about bit about your books?
Murder Most Foul, is a detective/mystery. Wicked Intentions, is a paranormal/mystery. The Crime of the Century, is an actual homicide case from my area. Loves, Myths, and Monsters, is a fantasy anthology starring the Chupracabra, the Mothman, reincarnation, time travel, an Egyptian love curse, a demonic cellmate, a Quaker love story set in the 1700’s, Werewolves, and a serial killer family from the 1870’s.
You also write poetry. Do you find being a poet enhances your writing when penning a novel?
I think it might help with the romance within a novel. Poetry seems to bring out the passive side of a person, making them more receptive to love.
Can you tell us about your writing process? Where do your ideas originate? Do you have a certain writing routine?
My monster anthology stemmed from my love for monster movies when I was a child; Count Dracula and the Wolfman. The paranormal anthology came from my watching real life paranormal stories on television, and from a newspaper article. Stories from others who claimed to have experienced ghost encounters and psychic dreams. I don’t have a certain writing routine. I just write about what tickles my fancy at the time. Some of my stories took years to complete, others took a few months. I find true crime stories more difficult and time consuming. The writer must scour court documents, newspaper clippings, interview those involved with the case, which I found to be exhausting. With true crime the writer must get the facts straight, not just make up things as he goes along like I often do with fiction stories.
What is your greatest challenge as a writer?
Becoming financially successful.
Who has inspired you as an author?
I have always been able to write and paint, even as a child. I love books by Gregg Olsen, Ann Rule, Ann Rice and Aphrodite Jones.
You are also a painter. Do you find that being an artist helps your writing, in ways such as being able to visualize scenes?
Yes I do believe my painting helps me as a writer. While I paint a scene, whether that be a beach or landscape scene, I often think “wouldn’t this be a nice place to write about?”
What’s next for you?
I hope to finish my SyFy comedy “Invaded By 26 Planets.”
Blurbs for “Loves, Myths, and Monsters”
Welcome To Anna
Little does 17 year old Zoe, realize, but the Chupracabra followed her to Ohio from South America. What happens next is a series of chilling mysteries, and unsuspecting friendships and love.
The Hunter’s Bride
When all game warden Daren Abram, had to worry about was which lucky lady to woo, he comes to the realization that his town is being stalked by the reincarnation of the town’s legend.
Moon People
For teenage mermaid Constance, coming to the quaint seaside town of Willowick, is heavenly, until she falls for mortal boy Drake. For the town to survive, Constance is forced to choose between her kind and the boy and town she loves.
The Pack
When young Lycan Sonny Red Blanket, a Shawnee Indian falls for mortal girl Drenda Way, he must save her from his fellow Lycan’s and stop a werewolf uprising.
The Bidding
Apiologist 34-year-old Duncan McPherson goes to Circleville, Ohio, to investigate a series of mysterious bee attacks. What is uncovered proves to be more dark and sinister then anyone imaged.
The Agreement
Incarcerated in the abandoned Roseville jail, is the last thing rich college student and speeder Brice Conrad, needs. With an “agreement” between the town and a permanent demonic “guest”, only the unfortunate ones know the truth, but do not live to tell.
For The Love Of Ginnie
Handsome bachelor and Scientist Alex Anderson from the thirtieth century, returns to the Civil War with time serum to save his beloved Ginnie Wade from a snipers bullet, while finding a roller coaster ride of joy and perils.
Is It Only A Myth?
When 32-year-old Vinton County Sheriff, James “Jim” Connors, discovers he has a Mothman hunting in his county, he stops at nothing to save his citizens.
The Proposition
The rough and ready cowboy John Queenie gets the shock of his life, when the ad to break a “wild filly” turns out to be a fiery Quaker girl named Tess. This is a story proving love conquers all.
The House On Shady Lane
A seemingly loving family turns out to be serial killers in 1873.
Love’s Curse
When an Egypt love curse scroll is stolen from a Dean’s office, persons begin dying in bizarre and grisly ways, with the college’s mascot a Viking King statue jokingly blamed for it.
Excerpt and blurb from “Welcome To Anna”
Blurb: Heroine Zoe and her mysterious love interest Peter, are on the mission to destroy a Chupracabra that followed Zoe to Ohio from South America to claim her as its mate.
Chapter 8
Noting my fear, Peter sat beside me. “Me and Billy will be right behind you at all times,” he promised. “If I didn’t need you, I would do it myself. The last thing I want to do is put you in danger.”
“I know,” I said, just as Peter kissed me, leaving me breathless. Peter respected my virtue and he stopped with one kiss. Held in his arms, his warm breath blowing gently against my face, I felt truly secure for the first time in many days, and fell asleep.
Asleep on his shoulder, I experienced no nightmares, but when I woke, he was gone and only a carved object stood in his place. Finally, I knew who the artist was. What a relief, I thought, studying the small carving of a man and woman resembling Peter and I. What a nice gift to wake to. I smiled knowing my love was returned.
Later that day, Annette and I went shopping in the next town for swimsuits and a college wardrobe. I cannot explain it, but, somehow, I knew Peter was following me. I never saw him, but I knew he was near. I could sense his presence. I guess that is what love does.
“Zoë, Zoë,” Annette called, waking me from my daydreaming.
“What is it?” I asked, fidgeting with my carved trinkets. I now carried them everywhere on a string about my neck, since they were from Peter.
At first, I had been oblivious to anything Annette said. “Have you been listening to me?” she asked, standing a few feet away in a skintight skirt and snug top.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “What was it again?”
“I said, ‘How does this look on me?’” She turned slowly around allowing me to get the full ridiculous view.
“Well, if you’re trying to earn ‘A’s’ without studying, that outfit is perfect.”
She huffed and retreated to the dressing room.
MELANGE IN PRINT AND EBOOK:
http://www.melange-books.com/authors/joannemyers/LMM.html
LULU in print
http://www.lulu.com/shop/joanne-myers/loves-myths-and-monsters/paperback/product-21546632.html
AMAZON KINDLE STORE
Other books by JoAnne:
Murder Most Foul-a detective/mystery
Wicked Intentions-7 bone chilling paranormal tales
The Crime of the Century-a biography true crime
Poems About Life, Love, and Everything in Between
Twisted Love-a biography true crime anthology
Flagitious-a crime/mystery anthology
Contact JoAnne:
Email: authorjoannemyers@yahoo.com
http://www.facebook.com/joanne.myers.927
http://twitter.com/scooterismine/
Website: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com
JoAnne’s Blogs:
Books and Paintings by JoAnne: http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com/page2
JoAnne’s Postings: https://joannemyers.wordpress.com/
JoAnne Myers’ WordPress Blog: http://joannemyerswordpressblog.wordpress.com/
JoAnne’s Blog: http://joannesblogspotblog.blogspot.com
Thank you for taking the time to let me pick your brain interview you. JoAnne loves to connect with her readers. Share your thoughts or questions today for a chance at some great reading material for those chilly winter nights.
Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author 
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