Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first, full-length novel. I wrote a novella in 2009.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Story of Keilah.” I had a friend in grade school who was the most beautiful, perfect person I had ever met. As an adult, I can look back and see there were many parts of her world that weren’t ideal, but at that time, they weren’t visible to me. I thought, what if a person like this person showed up in the life of someone so miserable and unsure of themselves they just said, “ok, you take over. I don’t know how to do this right.” And then I wondered, after so many years how would things work when this fairy princess suddenly disappeared and this person now had to figure things out for themselves?
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I try to be very structured in my writing each day. I do have certain coffee shops with just the right amount of buzz. I save those for one time per month, so that they don’t become boring.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Fannie Flagg’s writing is how I aim to structure my stories. She writes about the culture and unique social structures of the south. I try to do the same with Midwestern culture. Jeannette Wall is another author who is true to her roots and portrays her truth with dignity.
What are you working on now?
My next book takes place in Sandy Salts, Iowa – one of the fictitious towns featured in The Story of Keilah. Four friends witness something awful the day of their graduation. They agree to come together and talk about it on their 20th reunion. One dies before that day and the rest are still trying to come to grips with the event they covered up. One half of the book takes place in present day, the other half during their childhoods.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still working on that! Literary fiction is a bit tricky.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t let the process overwhelm you. Start slowly, with one sentence. Turn that into a paragraph and then take each of those sentences and make each one a paragraph. Outline your characters. Take months if you need.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be a living obituary. Sounds macab, but think about it – what words define you? What words do you want to define you? Whatever you want your legacy to be, live it.
What are you reading now?
Just writing at the moment. Soon I’ll re-read something by Amy Tan.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to create as many novels as my mind and time will allow.
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?
Sarah Howell’s “The Wordy Shipmates,” Fannie Flagg’s, “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café,” Barbara Kingsolver’s “The Bean Trees,” and Maya Angelou, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”
Author Websites and Profiles
Joann Keder Website
Joann Keder Amazon Profile
Joann Keder’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
She is a fascinating author with an interesting perspective on life and writing!
This is so interesting! I love getting a little peek into the author’s thought process, and what inspired her. I love Joann’s work, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Wonderful! Great comments… I never cease to learn from you! LjD
This was interesting insight into both the book and author… I very much enjoyed Keder’s book. I can honestly say that it has been awhile since I was transported by a story. I feel like I just returned from Sandy Salts!