Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Washington, D.C. in 1944. My father was an Army Intelligence Officer who was stationed in Germany right after the end of World War II. My mother and I were among the first military families to be sent to Germany in 1948. I lived there for most of my first nine years where I had to the opportunity to travel to most of what was free Europe at that time. After that, I grew up living with my parents at military stations all over the USA.
My father retired from active duty when I was in junior high school, so I was able to stay in the same community in Ayer, Massachusetts (a small town adjacent of Fort Devens, a large Army post) until I graduated from high school. I chose to attend the University of Connecticut, majoring in English Education. In my sophomore year, I met my future husband, David, and three years later in 1966, we both graduated on a Monday and were married the following Saturday. We moved to Boston where he attended Boston University Law School while I taught Kindergarten in the Boston Public Schools. After he received his law degree, we moved to Los Angeles where he joined a law firm, became a partner, and retired when we were both sixty-one.
We raised our two children in San Marino, CA, where both David and I were involved in the community. He served as President of the School Board and I held various offices in the local PTAs as well as became president of various philanthropic organizations. By the time my two children had both left home for college, I was spending a lot of time in Las Vegas becoming more entrenched in the growing Poker community. We bought a Las Vegas townhouse in 1996 where I spent a great deal of time while my husband finished up his law career. When he retired in 2004, we sold all our California property and moved to Las Vegas full time.
Meanwhile, my son graduated with an MBA from Yale, married and had four children. He lives in the Bay Area and works in the Transamerica Tower in San Francisco as a hedge fund manager. My daughter has a Master’s Degree in film from the London Film School. She married a British engineer, and at present, they live in Abu Dhabi.
I continue to play in local poker tournaments several days a week. During the World Series of Poker which takes place in June and July, I spend most days at the Rio, playing in various satellites and tournaments.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
While playing poker, I often found myself mentally chronicling the action at the table, and creating descriptions of the casino and its denizens in my mind. At some point I started writing down those words and, over time, collected a catalogue of notes. Then I had the opportunity to get into the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program where I learned some basic creative writing skills. At about the same time, my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and wanted to talk about his own life which included his years as an Army Intelligence Officer. I learned that my mother and I were among the first military family members to arrive in Germany after the end of World War II. My memories of the time (from when I was three until I was nine) were enhanced by my discussions with my father. I wanted to write about both those aspects of my life at the same time, and so the idea for River Card evolved.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I proofread everything I write at the end of each session, then I proofread and edit it again and again. As I was writing this novel, I paid for a professional edit, and based on that, made many changes, then paid to have it professionally edited again. I believe as one should not be her own lawyer, one should not simply proof and edit her own work.
While I consider myself very outgoing, sociable and gregarious, fiction writing is a solitary endeavor. After attending too many writers’ groups, writers’ conferences, writers’ workshops, writers’ lunches, even writers’ shopping sprees and mani-pedi sessions, I still had to come home and sit down at my computer and create my story. Add to that, my fondness, actually my love affair, with playing poker (I’ve been besotted for many years), and it becomes clear that my challenge has always been to work by myself.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ayn Rand: Although I don’t entirely agree with her philosophy of “objectivism”, her ability to promote her beliefs through her novels; to portray her characters in exquisite detail, to focus so artfully on her message, inspires me constantly.
Judith Krantz: I love her stories of Hollywood and fashion, describing in elegant detail (sometimes even listing what is in the bathroom medicine cabinet), what each character is doing and seeing, thus creating for the reader a specific experience on each page as the novel develops.
Bill Bryson: His research is uncompromising, and his world view is amusing and arch, while his prose is close to flawless.
Glen David Gold: I envy his ability to combine historical events with compelling fiction.
Lisa See: Her stories of Chinese culture, history and family dynamics are fascinating.
For many years I’ve always believed that one of my all-time favorite novels was Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk. Recently I reread it and realized how differently I react to the same manuscript which, so many years ago in my youth, I perceived as the ultimate escape into the life of an interesting young woman leading a fascinating life. Now, the writing seems somewhat dated, and the storyline of the self-involved young woman, quite ponderous.
What are you working on now?
The story of River Card ended with many unresolved issues, and that was my intent. I am working on a sequel which will take place in the near future; still in Las Vegas as well as other parts of the world, and will feature the child, Livy, the daughter of Phillip Vance, the casino developer, as she comes of age.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook, Goodreads, my own web page, joandestino.com, Amazon
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn the basics first! If a writer correctly and efficiently employs correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, sentence and paragraph structure, she can break a few rules judiciously on her way to creating her own writing masterpiece.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When I first began to write seriously, I was advised to read everything I could that was published in my particular genre. At that point, I was not sure exactly what my genre would be, so I read as much as possible from the of New York Times bestsellers, concentrating on literary and historical fiction as well as biographies.
What are you reading now?
I just finished Katherine the Great by Robert K. Massie. Right now I’m reading We Are All Completely Besides Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler.
What’s next for you as a writer?
The story of River Card ended with many unresolved issues, and that was my intent. I am working on a sequel which will take place in the near future; still in Las Vegas as well as other parts of the world, and will feature the child, Livy, the daughter of Phillip Vance, the casino developer, as she comes of age.
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?
1. Roget’s Thesaurus
2. By the Book, Writers on Literature and the Literary Life.
3. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
Author Websites and Profiles
Joan Destino Website
Joan Destino Amazon Profile
Joan Destino’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile