Author Interview with Johanna Rae
1. What made
you start writing and which subject matter do you enjoy the most?
Books
have always both fascinated and inspired me. Before I was old enough to know
how to read, I had my favorite stories so well memorized that I would scold my
parents for forgetting a single word. I would sit there lovingly turning the
pages as I recalled the stories, reading them to my dolls and teddies. When I
was five or six, my teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told
her that I would be a writer and an artist. Even then my creativity knew no
bounds and I would drive my family crazy with my made up worlds and phony
accents. I loved to invent far off places with magical goings on… things that
left the real world pale in comparison. I haven’t changed much over the years;
I’ve simply grown more determined. I am no longer content to write the stories,
now I want to share them with the world.
2. Is there anything that you write about that can be controversial?
I don’t believe I have tackled anything that is controversial on a global
scale but for me as an individual, yes. I’ve had a fairly standard ‘Kiwi’
upbringing, and the literature I was exposed to when young was very main
stream. There were a few stories involving magic though nothing close to the
paranormal and fantasy works I like to create today. This alone has been a
journey for me, realizing that when faced with a blank page, I am bound only by
the limitations of my own imagination. Writing in the genre I enjoy was
controversial for ‘me’ at first, but I’m proud to come as far as I have and
have enjoyed every step of the way.
3. What inspires you to write and how often do you do it?
I find inspiration anywhere and everywhere. Some of the most random
things can trigger a possible character or new and exciting story arc. My
biggest inspirations have been deeply emotional moments I have seen or
witnessed, and music. Sometimes
locations have also inspired me, as I visualize my characters interacting
there.
4. If you could only take one book with you for the next year what would it be and why?
I could never choose only one book, so I suppose I am greedy that way! I
adore books. If I were told that the world was about to end and I had to choose
one book to save, I think we would be in trouble.
5. Is there a particular character of yours that you like more than the rest?
Again, I could never choose just one. Every single character I have ever
created carries a piece of my soul, even those who have never made it beyond
the view of my own eyes. I have soft spots for several characters, each for a
totally different reason. I would have to say the characters in my novel ‘The
Mercenary’ are probably the ones dearest to my heart.
6. Who is your favorite fictional character and why?
Almost any of the males in JR Ward’s “Black Dagger Brotherhood” series
could be deemed a favorite character. The style in which Ward tells the story
has you connected to the characters immediately. You can’t help but love the
way they talk and interact, so male and yet so emotionally endearing beneath
their vampire exterior. They have a sense of nobility and honor while still
managing to project an ominous presence.
7. What age did you start reading, did you have a favorite children’s book?
It’s hard to say what age I actually learned to read given that I was so
good at remembering all the words. Let’s just say that when I started school, I
progressed very quickly with the junior readers, so eager was I to hear more
stories. My favorite children’s book was
Chicken Licken (Also known in some countries as Chicken Little) My father nicknamed
me Chicken Licken as a result. To this day he will still refer to me as either
Chicken, or Licken when speaking fondly.
8. What's the best part of being an author?
For me personally, I get the biggest rush of the ‘warm fuzzies’ when I
know that someone has enjoyed reading my stories as much as I have enjoyed
writing them. I also enjoyed being a part of the two Evernight anthologies (by
XOXO publishing) because it felt great to be a part of a team. I love meeting
other authors.
9. If your current book (published or work in progress) could become a movie who would star in it?
My latest book “The Mercenary” which is set in my home country: New
Zealand, features shapeshifters from all over the world. It would be hard to
choose based on acting ability, but I have an album of actors whom have
inspired the characters on my author facebook page.
10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now, writing wise?
My dreams are limitless, and my goal is to reach as many people as I can
with my work. It’s not about the money
or the fame for me, I just have stories to tell, a lot of them. As long as
there is someone to read them, I will always keep writing.
11. Anything extra you want to add….
If you would
like to check out my Author page on Facebook you can find it with the following
link:
I will be
conducting an e-book giveaway in November, so stay tuned.
An amazon
link if you wish to purchase The Mercenary:
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So you can make sure to catch them the entire Sisterhood on their various blogs and pages, here are where you will find all the posts during their month-long tour:
Amy Kessler
Amy Kessler
Ashley Nemer
Patricia Laffoon
(right here!!!)
Johanna Rae
L. S. Broomfield
Sherrie Henry
Stacy Moran
Torie James
Tracey Steinbach
Great Interview!!!!!!
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