Interview With Author Joni M Fisher
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written about eight books and published four. Coming from a career in journalism, I had to discover how to dive into point of view to reveal deep character. After writing a humor column in a local magazine, I discovered my narrative voice.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
East of Evil was inspired by setting up a trust fund for my daughter. She had a brain injury at age ten and we wanted to make sure she would get income no matter what happened to us. We didn’t want her squandering life insurance payouts and such like lottery winners do. When choosing a trustee, we had to find someone trustworthy beyond question. But what about trustees who get tempted by having access to fortunes?
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write the first draft in first person, present tense to anchor the point of view in the character. It would be easy for me to slip into journalism mode and describe things objectively, but then the reader would be less likely to be drawn into the story experience. The second draft becomes third person present tense.
Perhaps the most unusual writing habit is how much I love research. I’ll immerse myself in the topic and visit the locations until elements of the story present themselves. I adore finding fun facts, such as, it is harder to get into veterinary school than medical school in the US.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a lifelong reader, in answering that question I could go alphabetically by author, but you’d stop me long before I reach the Ds. I’m an omnivorous reader. I’ll read anything but erotica. Tried it and it was too repetitive. Seriously, if I had a car chase in every scene…nevermind. The classics and the bestsellers hold equal weight with me.
Charles Martin inspires me. Janet Evanovich makes me laugh. Celeste Ng has amazing character-driven stories. Kristin Harmel’s descriptions of place astound me. So many fabulous authors have had an influence on me and my writing that it’s tough to pinpoint the superstars.
What are you working on now?
I’m starting a new series about a female prodigy who earns a master’s in art history and then takes a job at an art gallery. She uncovers criminal activity in the gallery and launches her own investigation to determine who is managing it, but she’s not prepared for the scope of the crimes and who is involved.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Marketing and promotion are worlds of their own. I am learning about them as I go, which is painful and a time suck. For this next series, I hope to work with an agent. All prayers are appreciated that she will love the manuscript!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read the bestsellers in your genre and others. Find out what the bestselling storytellers are doing that works and learn from them. Keep learning the craft of writing. Go to workshops, watch seminars, practice, practice, practice.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Show don’t tell. It took me months to understand that advice from Author John Folsom, but it comes down to removing sensory labels. Describe the thing, feeling, or place with a few key details that capture the essence of it. Instead of writing that Bill was sad, describe how you know he is sad. If in the point-of-view character, then describe the sensation of sadness from the inside and then how it manifests itself in behavior.
What are you reading now?
I just finished The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman. It’s about a group of pensioners who investigate murders instead of playing bingo and sitting in rocking chairs. The first book has been optioned for a movie and the cast is exactly who I would have chosen.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll keep writing for General Aviation News, which embraces my aviation hobby, and I’ll keep writing novels as long as God gives me the steam to do it.
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 Bible, a book about survivalism, and two of the thickest books from my massive to-be-read pile.
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