Interview of Author Joanne Jaytanie: Birth of a Character

“Hey, I know her…He sounds just like my brother… I’m sure that character was fashioned after me.”

Do writers really use people they know as characters in their books, or are they created in our mind? I can’t speak for everyone, but I use a mixture. I’m a people watcher. At the park, Movie Theater, mall, coffee shop, or airport, I love to watch people interact and react to each other. I pick up on their quirks, irritations, and positive traits. When something catches my eye, I whip out my iPad and make a short note. I have a file full of notes and when I start to give a character life, I will often pull from that file to round out his or her personality.

I have to admit, I don’t always use strangers. I have been known to incorporate a few traits of friends into the mix. For example, the idea of The Winters Sisters Series rolled around in my mind for a while, with one missing link, I couldn’t come up with my first heroine. One day my Veterinarian girlfriend, Cindy and I were sitting on the floor of an exam room talking while we waited for the acupuncture to do its thing on one of my Dobermans. We chatted about everything we both did for our canine family and what they meant to us. It was that very moment all the pieces fell into place and Victory Winters was born; she was based on my very dear and caring friend.

So, I guess my advice is always play nice. Because you never know, someone might be watching you….

BIO:
Joanne was born and raised in Sherburne, New York, a quaint village surrounded by dairy farms and rolling hills. From the moment she could read she wanted to explore the world. She lives with her husband and Dobermans, in their home in Washington State, with a panoramic view of the Olympic Mountains. Joanne’s favorite stories revolve around paranormal and romantic suspense. She loves writing about the twists and turns of her character’s lives and the trouble they find themselves involved in, coupled with building an everlasting relationship.

BLURB:
A small town can be a quaint, friendly place to call home. It can also be an impossible place to find a date. When Tegan, the owner of Que Syrah Syrah wine shop starts a Tuesday night singles-mingle, Laura, Chloe, and Becca are the only attendees—not a single man in sight. They continue to meet every Tuesday, but secretly change their name to The Love List. They write the names of a few single men and drop them into a basket. They women draw a name and promise to ask the man on a date. The Love List seems a success as one by one the women find their true love. Except in Laura’s case, date after date she is plagued with losers. She is certain the basket is cursed.

Travis Jerome is new to town. He notices a “Help Wanted” sign outside of a Victorian house and jumps at the chance to get back to his roots and have the feel of a hammer in his hand. He gets an extra bonus when he meets the attractive owner of the home, Laura Tate. Unfortunately she doesn’t appear to have the least bit of interest in him.

For something to last a lifetime it must start with a strong foundation and build up from there.

Buy Link:  Amazon
Website