Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Interview with Joanne Guidoccio

Posted by Susan B James on 2:00:00 AM with 19 comments

3 More Days to enter the giveaway!!
Sue, thanks for participating in the Countdown to a Season for Killing Blondes.

Delighted to do it. I read an advance copy of A Season For Killing Blondes and thoroughly enjoyed it. Joanne, please tell us a little about yourself.
 For most of my life, I was a poster child for left brainers. I gravitated toward degrees in mathematics and education and found teaching to be a good career fit. But after thirty-one years, I was ready for a change.

So, I put pen to paper and I revisited a writing dream from my high school years. A writing practice slowly emerged, and I watched with delight as my articles and book reviews started appearing in newspapers, magazines, and online. Buoyed by this success, I took on the challenge of revamping A Season for Killing Blondes, a manuscript I had written during my “cancer” year. While shopping it around, I wrote Between Land and Sea and was thrilled when Debby Gilbert of Soul Mate Publishing offered me a contract.

This summer, two of my novels—A Season for Killing Blondes and The Coming of Arabella—will be released. 

What genre or genres do you write?
 Right now, I’m alternating between cozy mysteries and paranormal romance. On the back burner, I have a collection of angel short stories and a memoir of my cancer experience. While it may sound like dabbling, there is one theme that connects all of my work – reinvention. And the protagonists are all boomer women. In short, I write boomer lit. Reinvention. I love that.

How do you motivate yourself when inspiration takes a vacation?
 February and November are my most difficult months. The gray and unpredictable weather dampens my mood, and I tend to move more slowly during those months. When this happens, I recall the wonderful advice I received from one of my mentors: “Do not make any major changes or decisions during February or November.” Keeping that in mind, I release all expectations and focus on short pieces such as guest posts, articles, and book reviews.

Who are your favorite writers in your genre?
 Whenever I pick up a new book, I scan the blurb for any mention of second acts and second chances. Some recent favorites include books by Maeve Binchy, Anna Quindlen, Louise Penny, Adriana Trigiani, Jane Green, Gail Bowen, Louise Penny, Adriana Trigiani, and Susan B. James.
Moi????! I am thrilled. Thank you! 

Any advice for new writers just starting out?
 Experiment with different genres while discovering your own unique voice. Sign up for a creative writing course—online or offline—that exposes you to short stories, children’s and adult writing, creative nonfiction and poetry. Search until you find a warm, supportive environment where your words can flow freely. And most important of all, enjoy the journey.

What is your favorite pastime, other than writing?
 During my teaching years, I immersed myself in the life of the school and had very few outside outlets. When I retired, I was determined to widen my range of interests and achieve yin/yang balance in my life. While writing occupies the lion’s share of my time, I also enjoy reading, yoga, scrapbooking, blogging, movies, Toastmasters, artist dates, and meeting friends for leisurely brunches and lunches.
Artists Dates. Aha. I, too, am a huge fan of Julia Cameron's books. I've done The Artist Way several times. Tell us about A Season For Killing Blondes. (I can't say how much I love the cover.)

Blurb 
Hours before the opening of her career counseling practice, Gilda Greco discovers the dead body of golden girl Carrie Ann Godfrey, neatly arranged in the dumpster outside her office. Gilda’s life and budding career are stalled as Detective Carlo Fantin, her former high school crush, conducts the investigation.

When three more dead blondes turn up all brutally strangled and deposited near Gilda’s favorite haunts, she is pegged as a prime suspect for the murders. Frustrated by Carlo’s chilly detective persona and the mean girl antics of Carrie Ann’s meddling relatives, Gilda decides to launch her own investigation. She discovers a gaggle of suspects, among them a yoga instructor in need of anger management training, a lecherous photographer, and fourteen ex-boyfriends.

As the puzzle pieces fall into place, shocking revelations emerge, forcing Gilda to confront the envy and deceit she has long overlooked.

I love your trailer. Take a look, friends. 
https://youtu.be/QURgFbybQVw

Here's the list of Buy Links. I used the USA one above. Wonderful idea to give all the links.
Amazon (Canada) - http://is.gd/t0g1KZ
Amazon (United States) - http://is.gd/jADjPp
Amazon (United Kingdom) - http://is.gd/8mknFJ
Amazon (Australia) - http://is.gd/r843iX
Kobo - http://is.gd/BpO9gY

For the Countdown to A Season For Killing Blondes. Joanne is giving away  a twenty-five dollar gift card.  AND Joanne is also give away a copy of A season for Killing Blondes on theis website and I get to pick the winner. Whoohoo! I'll do that from the comments.
Thank you for being here, Joanne. I loved both your books and am looking forward to the next one.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Where to find Joanne...
Website:   http://joanneguidoccio.com/
Categories: , , , , , , ,

19 comments :

  1. Joanne GuidoccioJune 9, 2015 at 6:19 AM

    Thanks for hosting me, Sue :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. LittleMJune 9, 2015 at 6:22 PM

    I love that Joanne's connective theme is reinvention. I think it's the spice and secret to a well-lived life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne GuidoccioJune 9, 2015 at 8:20 PM

      So true! Growing and evolving are essential components of a well-lived life. Thanks for dropping by. Hope you entered the giveaway. Joanne :)

      Delete
  3. bn100June 9, 2015 at 10:18 PM

    nice advice

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  4. RyanJoSummersJune 10, 2015 at 6:45 AM

    Great post, Joanne. Still like that title.

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  5. NancyJune 10, 2015 at 3:34 PM

    Oh, this sounds real interesting. Another one for the TBR list. Thanks for this opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Joanne GuidoccioJune 10, 2015 at 4:07 PM

    Happy reading, Nancy! Good luck with the giveaway :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. C. T. CollierJune 10, 2015 at 4:27 PM

    Wonderful interview, Joanne! So glad to know you're writing cozies, too, my favorite genre! --kate

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne GuidoccioJune 10, 2015 at 10:59 PM

      Thanks Kate! I'll be on the lookout for your cozy.

      Delete
  8. Gay YellenJune 10, 2015 at 6:42 PM

    Terrific title, Joanne. Best of luck with the book. Thanks, Susan, for supporting such a supportive author.

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  9. Joanne GuidoccioJune 10, 2015 at 11:00 PM

    Good to see you here, Gay. Thanks for the lovely compliment. :)

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  10. Tracey A WoodJune 11, 2015 at 9:01 AM

    Great interview. Good luck with the book

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    Replies
    1. Joanne GuidoccioJune 11, 2015 at 10:35 AM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Joanne GuidoccioJune 11, 2015 at 10:36 AM

      Thanks Tracey! Hope you entered the giveaway. :)

      Delete
  11. Carly JordynnJune 11, 2015 at 11:08 AM

    Great interview. Love your cover.

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  12. Joanne GuidoccioJune 11, 2015 at 11:57 AM

    Thanks Carly! Good luck with the giveaways :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. It's greatMarch 10, 2016 at 12:33 AM

    Just wanted to say Hello.

    ReplyDelete

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