Welcome author Joanie MacNeil!
Who is Joanie MacNeil?
I am an Australian romance
author living in Canberra, Australia's National Capital. I write short
contemporary romance novels, ranging from sweet to sexy stories of secrets and
forever love. While most of my novels are set in Australia, I could not resist
setting two of them in Scotland.
I love to travel with my own
romantic hero and have visited parts of the world I never dreamed I’d see.
Home, family and friends are
important to me. I have blended these elements into some of my stories.
When I'm not travelling, or
working on my latest novel, I enjoy reading romance as well as Icelandic Noir.
Though I like watching movies, I never find the time to go to the cinema. I
enjoy meeting friends for coffee, and am a regular participant in aqua aerobics.
My special moments are those spent with my four young grandsons who keep me on
my toes.
Tell us about your life outside
of writing.
I don’t write every day though
my goal is to achieve something each day, whether it be a writing related
activity or something else. Two or three days a week I attend aqua classes
which get me away from my computer. I especially enjoy the stretching exercises,
and having a laugh and a chat with the other ladies. I sometimes look after my
two and a half year old grandson. Our special outing is taking a ride on the
bus which he loves. I’m a carer for my husband; a daughter, mother,
grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. I catch up with my girlfriends for lunch
weekly; I sometimes accompany my
husband to have coffee with his friends and their wives. I need to manage my
time better most weeks.
Do you have a work in progress?
Yes, I have a contemporary novel
which I’ve been working on for ages. The first draft is done. I’ve let it
sit for a while. The story is about a returned veteran who is reunited with a
woman he knew from his childhood. The tagline is: When past and present collide, forgiveness
is the key.
Finishing this novel is my next
major writing task, though I may not get to it until the new year. I have a
busy few weeks in the lead-up to Christmas.
Was there a person who
encouraged you to write?
No, not really. When I was in
primary school and an avid reader of adventure stories, I wanted to write one,
talked about it, but never did write anything. I didn’t begin to read romance
until my forties. I was on holidays at the beach with my family, and needing
some escapism and relaxation, picked up a couple of romance novels. I was
hooked. I loved reading historical romance in those days. I decided I wanted to
write, had no idea where to begin, and discovered a six week freelance writing
course at evening college. I decided freelance writing wasn’t for me, though
the session on romance writing really resonated with me. And that began my
journey to becoming a romance author.
Five years from now, where do
you see yourself as a writer?
I hope I’m still writing and
selling my stories. I have a few works in various stages of progress, and it
will probably take me five years to finish them all! I would like to have at
least three more completed and published in 2020.
What are you working on now?
My focus for the remainder of
this year is on marketing, updating my web site, creating a work plan for next
year, and a long list of writing related organisational tasks. I also have an
idea for another novella, and hope to do some preliminary work on that.
My novella Mandraki Magic,
a sweet romance set on the Greek Island of Rhodes, was released in November.
Is Jazzy’s first love the right man for her?
Settled in her new life on the Greek Island of Rhodes,
Jazzy is happier than she’s ever been.
When her first love arrives in the Old Town, her peaceful
existence is shattered. What is Finn's real reason for being on Rhodes?
Jazzy must sort through her confused emotions and make
her own decisions. Can she trust him with her heart a second time?
Another
one of my romances is Loving Nick…Again.
Claire Vincent’s unexpected
encounter with old flame, Nick Sheridan, threatens the new beginning she’s made
for herself and her twin sons. Can Claire trust him enough to risk losing her
heart to him again?
Though Nick’s long buried
desire for Claire is rekindled, Nick isn’t sure he’s ready for a new
relationship, or an instant family.
Website and other links:
Wonderful ! Never too late to fall in love...with writing. LOL☺
ReplyDeleteHi Sonja, it certainly isn't ever too late to fall in love. :)
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