Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
To date, I’ve written six novels and one novella, numerous short stories and articles. I’ve been fortunate to garner a couple of awards for my suspense novels, and that means a lot to me. It’s a validation of my work.
Like many authors, I don’t enjoy promoting, but I do like being in touch with my readers. I’m the mother of four adult children, grandmother of eight granddaughters and one grandson, and two great grandsons.
When I’m not writing or teaching, I like to play the piano. Though I don’t play very well, it relaxes me, and it’s a nice diversion. I’ve been a writing tutor with Winghill School in Ottawa for many years.
I live in Quispamsis, New Brunswick Canada, in a modest but very nice home, on the banks of the beautiful Kennebecasis River with my wonderful husband and sweet dog, Scamp.
Always working on the new novel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest suspense novel is ‘The Deepest Dark”. The idea came to me that the worst thing that could happen to a woman is to lose her child. Not only has author Abby Miller, my main character, lost her ten year old daughter in a horrendous car accident, but her husband as well.
Following their deaths, Abby sinks ever deeper into depression. She contemplates suicide as a way to be with them, and to end her unrelenting pain.
In a last desperate effort to find peace, she drives to Loon Lake where they last vacationed together, wanting to believe they will be waiting for her there. At least in spirit. Barring that, the pills Doctor Gregory gave her to help her sleep, are in her purse.
The cabin at Loon Lake was her and Corey’s secret hideaway, and not even Abby’s sister, Karen, to whom she is close, knows where it is.
But someone else does. He is one of three men who have escaped from Pennington prison. They are dangerous predators who will stop at nothing to get what they want – and to keep from going back to prison. Having already committed atrocious crimes, they have nothing to lose.
Unknowingly, Abby is on a collision course with evil itself. And the decision of whether to live or die will soon be wrenched from her hands.
I like to write about ordinary women who are at a difficult time in their lives, and are suddenly faced with an external evil force. I didn’t think a whole lot about theme until I had written a couple of books, but I realized with the writing of Chill Waters that my books generally have to do with betrayal and abandonment, and learning to trust again. And more important, learning to trust oneself. Almost any good book will tell you something about the author herself. (or himself.) You can’t avoid it..
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so. But then, I may not be aware of them. I do know I’ll attack housework (okay, I’m lying now) – I’ll browse the net, play the piano- wrestle with my dog .. anything to keep from settling down to the creative process. Writing a novel is an enormous undertaking, something most authors well know. But once I’m into it, everything else fades away and I’m doing what I love to do – telling a story.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many it’s hard to say. And I’m sure some books have influenced me that I’m not even aware of. But some of those that have stayed with me over the years are books by Edgar Allan Poe, Shirley Jackson, Stephen King of course, James Patterson and more. My favorite book remains Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
What are you working on now?
Mainly, promoting my latest novel ‘The Deepest Dark’, and also letting folks know about my other books. Always, the subconscious mind is throwing up ideas for the next novel which I consider and let go, one after the other. Soon, one will catch my attention and I’ll let it simmer for awhile. If I still feel excited about it after a few weeks, if I find enough chills in the idea, it will probably become an novel.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Though my books are available in paperback, I mainly promote through the net with great websites like awesomegang.com Also Kindleboards and Kindle Nation Daily are effective. I use a dozen or so, and tend to use the expensive sites very occasionally. And of course social media including twitter and facebook. But you have to be careful not to turn people off by doing too much blatant book promotion. There’s a fine line. I’m sure I cross it from time to time.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t realize your dreams. And write from your deepest self. A few words about characterization.
With any novel, regardless of genre, characterization is the most important element. Without a character readers can care about and identify with at some level, the most ingenious plot won’t matter. That doesn’t mean your character is without flaws, quite the contrary. Consider the late Patricia Highsmith’s Tom Ripley. He is a ruthless killer, but we are fascinated by his complexities and we’re happy to follow him throughout the books.
In the end, I don’t think you can separate character and plot. They are interwoven. With suspense, I am always aware of the thread in my story and I hold it taut, letting it out a little at a time, but never letting the thread go slack. It should grow tighter and tighter until it fairly sings. This is what constitutes a page-turner. It’s a promise I make to my readers and one I take very seriously. Reviews tell me I’ve succeeded for the most part, and that makes me happy. You will too. I wish you great success in your writing journey!
Oh, and pick up a copy of Stephen Kings’ ‘On Writing’ if you haven’t already. 🙂 Thanks for listening.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t try to follow a trend. By the time you finish your book, the trend might be over. Forge your own path.
What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading ‘A Dog’s Ransom’ by the late, fabulous Patricia Highsmith of The Talented Ripley fame. She also write other books including ‘Strangers on a Train’. She’s one of the best, in my opinion. If you’re an aspiring suspense novelist I recommend her book for writers ‘Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction’.
What’s next for you as a writer?
The same thing that’s always next – a new novel.
Language is important to me, and I hope my work is always improving in some way. Maybe the dialogue is crisper, the transitions smoother, the characterizations deeper, but always evolving. And that comes simply from being an avid reader of the best there is, both in my own and other genres. And writing and writing and writing. Since I both love to read and write, it’s not a chore. Too, I like to think I’ve grown as a human being over the years. I’ve become more insightful, more compassionate. And that reflects in your writing.
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?
Wow, that’s tough. I’ll try. Great Expectations by Dickens. Stephen King’s boxed books. (I’m cheating a little.) Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
Author Websites and Profiles
Joan Hall Hovey Website
Joan Hall Hovey Amazon Profile
Joan Hall Hovey’s Social Media Links
Thanks, awesomegang.com for listening. I appreciate the great questions and the opportunity to share some thoughts of writing, and to let you know about my suspense novels. 🙂
All the best,
Joan
You are very welcome! Thanks for letting us interview you.