SPOTLIGHT ON… Fantasy: Joanne Anderton

Joanne Anderton

 

Describe yourself in one word:
Stubborn

What is your background with regard to writing?
I’ve always done it! I used to make up random stories as a kid, and I was even excited to get creative writing assessments in high school. Any excuse.

When did you first begin writing with a view of embarking on a career as a published author?
I think it was always in the back of my mind. I was a voracious reader as a kid too, and would regularly get utterly absorbed by books, missing bus stops and going without sleep just to find out what happened next. I loved the feeling of being transported to another world, and I wanted to be able to do that for other people. But it wasn’t until I was in Uni when I actually sat down and tried to write a book that could do that.

Tell us about the first book you wrote
The first book I actually finished was a dark fantasy called Apprentice. It was about a world ruled by twisted Mages, magical creatures on the brink of extinction, and a girl with a powerful secret that could save or ruin them all. It never made it to publication, but it came pretty damned close a few times. I’d still like to revisit it.

What is your writing routine?
On workdays I get up early and cram an hour of writing in before I head to the marketing salt mines, then I try to do another couple when I get home. I have two dedicated writing days a week, and I’m always careful to break up all that sitting at a computer with some moving around. I tend to write for an hour, then get away from the desk and do something glamorous like hang out a loud of washing or walk the dog. While I’m a lot stronger now than I used to be, I still don’t have the greatest lower back in the world, and it does not appreciate too much sitting!

Favourite snack whilst writing?
Peppermint tea. That counts as a snack!

If you weren’t writing, what would you be doing?
I’d probably be a vet. I used to think that was what I wanted to do with my life, until I actually started working at a veterinary hospital. Now I just have pets. Many, many pets.

What piqued your interest in the sci-fi/paranormal genre?
I blame my Dad. He read Tolkien to me when I was a kid, lent me his E.E. Doc Smith collection, and taught me to love the original Star Trek. And when I say ‘blame’ I actually mean, “thank you Dad!”

One thing you’d like readers to know about the sci-fi/paranormal genre:
We’ve got something for everybody! Do you like romance? Or history? How about military fiction, or crazy dragons, or just the small conflicts of everyday life? We got it. Come join us. We have cookies.

Biggest accomplishment to date:
It was lovely to get a few award shortlistings this year, and have a couple of stories included in ‘Best Ofs’. But for me, having the guts to get up in front of people at writing courses and conventions and talk about what I do is a bigger achievement!

What’s next for you?
I want to write all the things! All of them! More specifically, book three of my Veiled Worlds Trilogy is coming out next year (http://fablecroft.com.au/books/new-book-announcement-unbound-by-jo-anderton)

 

Confessions of an Author:

Is there something we’d be shocked to know about you?
People seem shocked to learn I’m a heavy metal fan. Apparently I just don’t come across that way. (I always wonder what that way is) *shrugs* But these are often the same people who are surprised when I tell them I write science fiction and horror! Maybe I need to work on my scary.

What do you find easiest to write? And, the hardest?
Really nasty horror seems to come naturally to me. I wonder if that says anything about me? I often find myself lapsing into it, particularly if I’m having trouble writing a scene. It’s almost…comfortable. Wow, that is scary! The hardest thing to write is real life. I once wrote a story for an anthology about growing up in the ’80s, and it was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done! My imagination kept trying to run away with itself, and I was forced to keep it in check. Not so easily done.

Favourite travel experience?
Hubby and I visited Japan last year, something we’d wanted to do for so long. I can’t wait to go back. The only sad thing is they won’t let me steal the Cat Bus from the Studio Ghibli Museum in Tokyo.

Favourite fictional character:
Lina Inverse from the Japanese anime, The Slayers.

Number one thing to do on your bucket list:
I… I don’t have a bucket list! There are things I want to do! Write more books. Spend more time in Japan. Steal a Cat Bus. As you do. Enjoy the company of my wonderful friends, family and animals. Can’t I just keep doing that?

Milk or dark chocolate?
Dark.

Red, white, bubbly?
Red.

Salty or sweet?
Both! At the same time!

Beach or mountains?
Mountains.

Give or receive?
Give, definitely.

 

Find Joanne online
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