Ask the Author: JoAnn Chaney
Answered Questions (8)
JoAnn Chaney
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed the book!
JoAnn Chaney
Unfortunately--or maybe fortunately, depending on how you look at it-- I don't have much excitement in my own life. The only mysteries would be things like: "THE MYSTERY OF WHO LEFT THE LOAF OF BREAD UNWRAPPED SO IT COULD GO STALE?" or "WHY WOULD SOMEONE LEAVE THE TOILET SEAT UP SO MOMMY ENDS UP WITH A WET ASS?"
JoAnn Chaney
This book started because of an article I'd read about Jerry Sandusky after his arrest, and the idea that his wife might've known exactly what he was doing. To me, that's WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW at its very core--a story about the secrets people keep. From each other, and for each other.
Also, I like seriously flawed characters--writing about them, and reading about them. That dark side of people, that's the interesting stuff, the stuff that makes you pause, the stuff that's worth exploring. No one is all good, and no one is all bad. Normal everyday people making questionable/bad decisions--that's the sweet spot.
Also, I like seriously flawed characters--writing about them, and reading about them. That dark side of people, that's the interesting stuff, the stuff that makes you pause, the stuff that's worth exploring. No one is all good, and no one is all bad. Normal everyday people making questionable/bad decisions--that's the sweet spot.
JoAnn Chaney
For me, it's not so much writer's block as it is writer's exhaustion. I go through short periods of mass output--for example, I wrote the first draft of WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW in four months. Then I'll take some time off from writing, sometimes even from reading, and then out of the blue I'll get the itch to get back to work. It's like I have to refuel before starting on a new project.
JoAnn Chaney
This sounds so cliche, but life inspires me. Real life. The news. My Facebook feed. Going to work and talking to people. There have been times when I've seen a person, or read about a situation and thought, "That would make a great story."
JoAnn Chaney
The best thing about being a writer? The freedom to create these worlds full of people that are running through my head, to make them real. That's also the strangest part about being a writer--having those characters become real for other people, and to have people talk about them, or ask me questions.
JoAnn Chaney
Finish the book. Ass in seat, and write. Seriously. Talking about writing doesn't get the book done, and neither does just thinking about it. You actually have to write.
JoAnn Chaney
Right now, I'm working on my second book, tentatively titled GOT TIL IT'S GONE. I can't reveal much about it, though--not yet, anyway.
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