Joanna Campbell Slan, Interviewer
1. How did you get started writing?
When my late husband was hospitalized for several months at the Mayo Clinics in Rochester, MN. I spent a lot of time driving. It was during those long drives that I started playing with the idea of writing.
Were you always a writer?
No—I have no formal training for this career choice! Needless to say, I feel very, very lucky to have received the opportunity to create The Ophelia and Abby series!! I have always enjoyed telling stories and been an avid reader. I think those two things played a big role in my choices. Plus, I’ve always had a very “big” imagination! At times, as a child, I think my mother thought it was a little too “big!”
Does writing “run” in your family?
Yes it does—there seems to be a lot of creativity on my father’s, the Damsgaard, side of my family. My aunt, Maggie Damsgaard, began writing at the age of sixteen and didn’t stop until her death at the age of ninety-two. She had several short stories published and self-published a Young Adult novel. She weathered many rejections and never gave up. A good lesson there!
2. How did Ophelia and Abby come to be?
After a disastrous attempt at writing a romance novella, my husband suggested that I give mysteries a go. He pointed out I always ruined movies for him by telling him how they would end, so why not put that talent to a more productive use! Because my background has been a typical, small town in the Midwest, kind of a life, I knew I would need to create an amateur sleuth. But what kind? I’ve always been interested in the paranormal, so I thought giving my sleuth psychic talents would be fun. Unfortunately, several other, already published authors had the same idea, so I needed a hook. Another interest of mine has always been folk remedies, so it wasn’t a huge leap from that to folk magick—hence Ophelia and Abby were born.
What was the germ of the idea that became the books?
At the first writing conference I ever attended author Donald Harstead pointed out that every story starts out with one question, “What if…?” That started me thinking—what is it like to be a psychic? What if one felt their talent let them down at the moment they most needed it? Can one ever be who they’re meant to be if they don’t follow their destiny? Those questions were the beginning of WITCH WAY TO MURDER.
3. I know you have a “day job” as a Post Mistress. Tell me about your work habits. How do you work 40-hours a week and manage to write as much as you do?
I’ve found the most creative time for me is early in the morning, when the house is quiet. When I’m working on a manuscript, I usually begin my day about 4:30 and try to write about 5 pages before getting ready for work. On the weekends, it’s more.
What’s your schedule like?
As I said, up at 4:30 and write until 6:30. Then it’s off to the Post Office until 5 p.m… In the evenings, I work on marketing, updating my mailing list, responding to emails, etc., while I watch TV. I’ve found it doesn’t work well to write in the evenings—my characters are still talking when I want to go to sleep! On the weekends, I write for a few hours in the mornings and then take care of all those boring little household tasks like laundry, cleaning, and whatever else needs to be done. On Friday or Saturday night, I might go out with friends, or hang out with my youngest daughter, who’s still at home part of the time.
That’s a normal schedule—but there are times when I short staffed at work, or I’ve made plans with one of my other grown children. When that happens I need to modify!! Flexibility and balance is important if I want to accomplish everything. I also have a different kind of a schedule if I’m doing book tours. I’ve found it’s hard for me to work on a manuscript while on tour. It’s as if I’m using a different part of my brain, and it isn’t the part where the story dwells!
4.You seem like such a normal person! Why paranormal?
(Grin) Define normal, Joanna, ‘cause I’m not too sure the description fits! Seriously, I’ve always been fascinated with the paranormal. As a teenager, I read books by Ruth Montgomery and books about Edgar Cayce. Plus I’ve always loved any story with an “otherworldly” twist. Maybe it’s from reading all those fairytales as a child!!
What was the attraction?
One of my favorite quotes is “There are more things, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” I like the idea that we don’t know everything, that the world is full of mystery, that there is a little magick to be discovered.
Did you know a lot about the paranormal world when you started?
A little—but I’ve learned a lot more through research and having the opportunity to interview some very amazing people!
5. How did you research the paranormal for your books? (You can’t exactly go to the phone book and look up “paranormal,” right?)
Not in the phone book, but you sure can on the Internet! My research started with one book, AMERICAN FOLK MAGICK, by Silver Ravenwolf, which I did find listed on a website. From there, not to sound too” New Agey”, one thing has led to another, and it seems that I’ve met the people I needed to–when I needed to. Another thing that I’ve learned is not to be afraid to ask questions—as long as you approach people with respect, they’re usually more than happy to answer your questions.
Do you have any self-imposed rules? Things you refuse to include, no matter how interesting?
I don’t put actual spells in the stories—I don’t believe magick is something to play around with unless you have an understanding of how it’s supposed to work. I’m also careful about any herbs I list and their uses—just in case someone decides to try them. (Something I don’t really recommend unless you’ve checked out what you’re going to try with a health food store.) And if a character dies by poison, I don’t give the dosage that did him in!
6.Did you originally believe in the paranormal world when you began writing?
To a certain extent—I’ve always believed that there are true psychics. (I also believe that there are charlatans out there, too! In fact one psychic that I’ve gotten to know once recommended that I stay away from anyone who’s styled as “Madame So and So!” They probably aren’t for real!)
Do you believe now? Why did you change your mind, if you did?
I would say, because of the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had, I definitely think more outside of the box now!
7. What or who has been the greatest influence on your work as an author in the past? Why?
As an author, I don’t have a past! (Grin) I’ve only been writing for about six years! But I have been a reader all of my life, and I think it’s those authors that I’ve loved over the years who’ve subtly effected my style and voice. Barbara Michaels, Jude Deveraux, Harper Lee, Georgette Heyer, Carolyn Hart, the list goes on and on. These authors have brought me hours of entertainment over the years, and the greatest thrill of all is when a reader writes to tell me that Ophelia and Abby have entertained them!
Who influences your work today as you write?
My best writing buddy! (You know who I mean!!) The brainstorming that we do is absolutely invaluable to me and never fails to get me “unstuck” when I’ve painted myself into a corner! And my wonderful editor at Avon, Sarah Durand. Ophelia and Abby wouldn’t be Ophelia and Abby without her! Her instincts are always right on target and I rely on her input a great deal. And the best thing?? No matter how busy she is, she always takes the time to answer my gazillion emails!!!
8. How much is Ophelia, your main character, like you?
Hmm, good question! Well, according to my oldest daughter, she talks just like me! And we definitely have the same sense of humor. And, unbeknownst to me when I was originally creating it, her relationship with Abby is much like the relationship that I shared with my mother when she was alive. (This was pointed out to me after WITCH WAY TO MURDER was finished.)
In what ways is she different?
I think I’m a little more open than Ophelia is—not so reluctant to express my feelings as she is. She’s younger! Oh, and she’s a witch and a psychic and I’m not! (Even though my nine year old granddaughter has been known to try and impress her little friends by telling them I am!)
9. Ophelia and Darci have a terrific and very real friendship in the book. Describe how this reflects (or doesn’t reflect) your own life.
It does reflect my life!! I’ve been blessed over the years with great girlfriends and I truly don’t know what I would’ve done without them! They’ve been my therapists, my partners-in-crime. They’ve made me laugh when I felt like crying, and they’ve always been there for me. One thing that I’ve never been able to understand is the jealousy that some women feel toward other women! You know the “Queen Bee” syndrome?? For me, my life would’ve been a lot smaller and a lot emptier without my friends!
10. Ophelia has an absolutely hilarious pre-date experience and then a “bad date” in THE WITCH IS DEAD. Is this an example of art imitating life?
All I’m going to say is that the names have been changed to protect the innocent—ME!
11. As I write this, CHARMED TO DEATH has gone back for a third printing, and WITCH HUNT has gone back to press for the second time. Why do you think readers are responding to Ophelia and Abby? What’s your secret?
Hopefully, the readers are responding to Ophelia and Abby because they can identify with the characters. Too, anything to do with the paranormal seems to be pretty popular right now. A trend that I hope continues!! And I think the series has a certain amount of cross-genre appeal. I was told by a bookseller that it appeals to both sci-fans and mystery fans.
My secret?? Gosh, I don’t have one! If I did, I’d retire from the Postal Service and write full time! All joking aside, I’ve worked hard and I’ve been persistent. I kept trying even when all I heard was “thanks, but no thanks.” When the first book came out, I learned about marketing and got out there to promote it. Plus, as I said earlier, I’ve been really lucky. After all those rejections, I finally found a terrific agent who believes in the series and has faith in me as an author, she, in turn, found Sarah, who as I said, is the best…there are days I’m amazed at my good fortune!!
12. What’s the hardest part of being an author for you?
Sticking to my writing schedule! Another favorite quote “The plans of mice and men…”! It seems that life has a tendency to mess with that schedule!
What’s the best part?
Without a doubt—meeting or hearing from the readers!
13. If you could share one idea with aspiring authors—one suggestion which has made a difference in your career—what would that be?
Don’t give up—be persistent—but at the same time, roll with the punches—be flexible. If the first pitch doesn’t work, think of a new one. If you receive advice from someone who knows what they’re talking about—listen. Try and take every situation, even the negative ones, and learn from it to improve your craft!
Notice we’re ending on thirteen! I’d say that exploring the world of superstition has been very lucky for you indeed
Joanna Campbell Slan is the author of the Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series from Midnight Ink. Set in the world of scrapbooking, the first book, OVER EXPOSED, is scheduled for release October, 2008. To learn more about Joanna and her terrific new series, check out these websites.
http://www.joannacampbellslan.com/
http://www.scrapbookstorytelling.com/
I don’t know where the summer went! The older I am–the faster time seems to fly! (That sounds so like something my mother would’ve said…scary! 8)) Anyway, here’s a quick update.
) It’s great to read what all the authors have written!
