Interview With Author Jo-Anne Duffett
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I come from the world of scientific publications, this is my first foray into fiction. I am a passionate sports doc by day (and sometimes till as late as 11pm). I love running, photography and exploring and travelling to new places with my husband. We live in Cape Town, South Africa
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My husband challenged me to write my own book as I was reading so much during lock-down. At the time I read an article about a sheep farmer who did big-wave surfing who they called the salty shepherd. My sister owned a sheep farm in the karoo at the time, and so the idea was born of a surfing farmer. A few years ago Cape Town had a severe drought where the city only had enough drinking water left to last 100 days. All sports fields were closed to avoid permanent damage to them. Many people took up surfing during this time. My husband was a former surfer too. I wanted to write a romance that was light-hearted, quick to read and leaves the reader with a smile on their face.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I plot while I’m running and sometimes on my long commute to work if I’m not listening to an audiobook instead. Sometimes I only get to write one sentence in the evenings, on good times I get in a paragraph and on Saturdays sometimes its a page. Its a slow process, but my patients come first.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite trope to read is historical romance. My favourite author of all time is Jane Austen, I just wish she had written more. I’m collecting Georgette Heyer books and for a quick two hour read Barbara Cartland. Modern authors I enjoy Julia Quinn, Bree Wolfe and Glynnis Campbell and Erica Ridley.
For historical mystery you cannot beat Ellis Peters, for classic science fiction / fantasy Edgar Rice Burroughs. Then there’s CS Lewis, Mary O’ Hara, Louisa May Alcott and the list goes on.
What are you working on now?
I have a sweet second chances medical romance: Fire & Ice, How to tame a doc, under review. This one is very close to my heart as it combines my passion for my work with my love of reading. I’ve given Charlie my own job (keeping patient confidentiality) but that’s where the similarities end. Watch this space.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Use as many platforms as you can.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It is very hard to put your work out there for constructive criticism, but you must do it. Get beta readers who enjoy your genre, but also others who read different types of books. Sometimes they see things in a different light and it can only make your final product stronger.
Learn the craft of writing.
Join Authors Publish they give great tips on writing and getting published and so does Reedsy.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Your first sentence must make your readers curious, your first page must hook them.
Make your readers care about your characters.
What are you reading now?
Audio book for my commute, a Thousand and One Arabian Nights (classic)
Audio book for when I’m doing chores Work and win by Oliver Optic (classic children)
In my husbands car to read to him when we travel far together The Leper of St Giles by Ellis Peters (mystery)
The Phoenix and the Carpet by Edith Nesbit (classic children fantasy)
On my phone for when I’m stuck in a queue The highlander’s reluctant bride by Aileen Adams
Somewhere else in the house… Secrets at Court by Blythe Gifford
So men may channel hop on the TV but I book hop!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m just started a time travel romance. Imagine if a 17th century nobleman meets a 21st century scientist in the 5th century… And neither of them entirely understand how they got there.
I’m have a whale of a time with this one.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Holy Bible
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
A French English dictionary or grammar book
A blank book and a pencil
Author Websites and Profiles
Jo-Anne Duffett Amazon Profile
Jo-Anne Duffett’s Social Media Links
Author Interview Series
To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!
If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.
If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.