Interview Joan M. Fox

by

Jaxine Daniela

1) What makes a Regency Romance, a Regency romance?

Basically, it’s a story set in England during the period 1811-1820. The reigning English king, George III, became “mad,” and his oldest son, the Prince of Wales, was made “Regent” until the king died. The prince then became King George IV in 1820.

2) What drew you to writing Regencies?

I got hooked in that period of history in England. I’ve read so many books set during the early 19^th century that I already had some knowledge/research of that extended period simply from what novels I’ve read. When I begin to write fiction, I thought that was the era where I’d start. It turned out my first two novels (published elsewhere) where set in the mid-1850’s, not in Regency time. My first Regency for Wings (and my third novel) was “Never Let Me Go.”

3) Tell us about “A Sweeter Revenge.” How did you come to write this particular story?

My ideas come from “outer space,” I think. I was musing about the Louisa May Alcott book, “Little Women.” It gave me an incentive to write a book about four sisters born prior to the Regency years but growing into young, vivacious women of that time. Revenge is supposed to be a series, but I’ve gotten involved elsewhere, so the rest of the sisters’ stories are on hold right now.

4) What writers do you particularly like?

Wow! That’s a tall order. I like so many of them. I normally read only romantic suspense or strict romance, but a book can be Historical/Time Travel/Vampire and other sub-genres--even Contemporary. To list only a few favorite authors: Lisa Kleypas, Brenda Joyce, Suzanne Brockman, Cherry Adair, Stephanie Laurens, Elizabeth Lowell, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Amanda Quick aka Jayne Ann Krentz, Catherine Coulter, Nora Roberts… I could go on and on…

5) Have they influenced your writing and how?

Not that I’m aware. I would like to be as brilliant an author as many of them are--and also so prolific--but I have to be me. I write from the heart and my brain so I can’t copy them or their voices.

6) Which comes first for you, Joan, the plot or the character?

Hey, sometimes it comes simply from an idea for a title. I think “Never Let Me Go,” --the phrase I’ve heard many times in so many romances but not as a title--came from the original idea. I had to search a little for Revenge’s title. Basically, I do not plot. I do a lot of “what if’s” when a new story is starting to take root in my brain cells. I make a lot of notes on scraps of paper and stick them in a folder--pieces of scenes--setting--and odd characters as well as the H & H. Somewhere along the way, a plot begins to emerge, even jell, and then I dive in. Sometimes I hit road blocks (I don’t call it writer’s block.) I get away from the plot and let it simmer, like a good stew, until it gets better or is almost finished to set on the table.

7) How has your degree in Fine Arts Education helped or hindered you in your writing career?

Not at all, I don’t think, it neither helped nor hindered one way or the other. I was creative from childhood. I loved to draw, paint, do crafts, needlework, crochet, knit, sew my own clothes, etc. Tried them all, and usually did well. So I suppose writing was simply another branch of my creative oak tree. I wrote advertising copy and direct mail for a decade. When I earned my Real Estate Broker’s license, I did public relations blurbs for my Realtor as well as listing and selling properties. I have a couple ideas rolling around in my head for a contemporary involving a Real Estate agent and her hero, but that is down the line a bit as yet.

8) What do you do when you’re not writing?

Well, I paint and sell my watercolors. But mostly, after breakfast and the animals are taken care of, I’m sitting at the computer for 5-6 hours a day--either going through my mega emails--or doing some more writing. What I would like able to do more of--is to design covers for some of the e-publishers. I’m getting pretty good at it! The cover I designed for my own book for another publisher I write for was accepted, and I was thrilled. It’s almost as much fun as getting published!

9) What’s your writing day like?

Pretty much what I said above. I have no responsibilities except to take care of myself and my animals--a Rottweiler, a half-Siamese cat, and an aged Thoroughbred mare. My time is my own since I am retired.

10) Do you have a special place that you like to write?

I have a very, very cluttered office. But I manage to slide into a chair in front of my two computers--both share a monitor--one slower computer for text and the faster one for working on graphics. I break for lunch. Bid on ebay--I’m into Native American jewelry--and am at the computer until suppertime--anywhere between 6-7:30PM.

11) Tell us about the process you use to write a book. Do you outline beforehand, and if so, how extensively?

I don’t outline. I write snatches of ideas until I’m ready to start a new book. That may be tomorrow or it may be next year. But I am always creating scenes or writing dialogue in my mind. Like when I’m driving alone or sitting doing nothing (which isn’t often.)

12) How long does it take you to write a book?

Depends, of course, on the length. I have written novels of plus 100,000 words that took me most of a year. Those are more “intricate” plotlines. Then, I have written some other stories that only went 50-60,000 words or less. If I could wrap up a story in 35-40,000 words or so--I would love to write more novellas. But I tend to be long-winded--like in this interview.

13) What do you do when you get stuck?

Back to my “stew” theory. I let it cook a while longer, and then go back to it with a fresher eye and a working brain.