Editor Note: It is always exciting to introduce someone I met on my path to publication. Rhonda is one of the members of SORMAG’s writer’s group and her romance novel makes its debut this month.
SORMAG: Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.
Rhonda Jackson Joseph: I am the proud mother of four, and I hail from Houston, Texas. There is never an unwritable moment in my house! I am an avid reader, and I have always loved everything about words; so, it was a natural progression to a career in writing. I've had several short works published, and I have just stepped up to having my first contemporary romance novel, Call It What You Want published. I am currently working on several other novels and a screenplay.
SORMAG: Tell us about your current book?
JOSEPH: My current book is entitled Call It What You Want, and it's a contemporary romance about two up and coming business owners who propose to have a "no strings attached' type of relationship because neither wants to pull away from growing their businesses for a real relationship. Of course, this proposition spirals out of their control and they find that they need much more.
SORMAG: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?
JOSEPH: I'd like for readers to take away two main things from my book. The first is the fact that everyone needs someone. We are not made to be islands, all alone, and it is not a weakness to admit that we need another person. Secondly, I'd like us to think more about realizing that when a special person is placed in our lives, we would be smart to make time to see where our relationship with that person might go. Money and reaching career goals are great, but a forever love is even better.
SORMAG: Tell us about your publishing experience?
JOSEPH: It hasn't been quite the chore it could have been. I have been blessed to have linked up with a local publisher who has been very helpful to me in setting up my publishing company and getting my book printed as the first work. I've learned so much on the back end of publishing, and I have found, over and over again, that writers are such a wonderful group of people! Whenever I've found myself stuck or with questions, there is never a shortage of answers. But I'm glad the release date is just about here. I really think the hardest part is yet to come...
SORMAG: How do you feel about critique groups?
JOSEPH: I've had both good and bad experiences with critique groups. I think it depends on the writer. If the writer is strong and confident in her/his work, then it would be hard for even a bad experience to bring that person down or discourage them. But even a strong writer has to determine after a few conversations with a potential critique partner/group whether or not the partnership would actually be benefical to their writing process.
SORMAG: What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
JOSEPH: I wish non-writers would understand that writing is a job, too. It requires time and concentration. One book doesn't usually make an entire career, and writers do not get rich instantly.
SORMAG: Do you have any promotional tips for writers?
JOSEPH: One thing I find that has worked really well for me is to tell everyone you talk to what you're doing. When you start to believe you're a writer, everyone else does, too. And you become accountable for making your words come true because you have given them to others. Also, always carry business cards, and use them. They're great conversation starters, and you never know what role the person you're talking to might play in your journey, or you in theirs.
SORMAG: What activity do you like to do in the spring?
JOSEPH: I get spring fever real bad, and I love to change things-- around the house, the car, the wardrobes. I feel like everything needs to be new in the spring.
SORMAG: What was the last book to keep you up at night reading it?
JOSEPH: I devoured Divine Destiny by Gwenyth Bolton. It was absolutely wonderful, and I couldn't have put it down if I'd wanted to. I had to read the whole thing in one sitting. And I'm so glad I did.
SORMAG: How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)
JOSEPH: Readers can contact me via my website at: www.rhondajacksonjoseph.com, or by email: rjacksonjoseph@yahoo.com. My snail mail address is: P.O. Box 14804, Houston, Texas 77221-4804
SORMAG: Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.
Rhonda Jackson Joseph: I am the proud mother of four, and I hail from Houston, Texas. There is never an unwritable moment in my house! I am an avid reader, and I have always loved everything about words; so, it was a natural progression to a career in writing. I've had several short works published, and I have just stepped up to having my first contemporary romance novel, Call It What You Want published. I am currently working on several other novels and a screenplay.
SORMAG: Tell us about your current book?
JOSEPH: My current book is entitled Call It What You Want, and it's a contemporary romance about two up and coming business owners who propose to have a "no strings attached' type of relationship because neither wants to pull away from growing their businesses for a real relationship. Of course, this proposition spirals out of their control and they find that they need much more.
SORMAG: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?
JOSEPH: I'd like for readers to take away two main things from my book. The first is the fact that everyone needs someone. We are not made to be islands, all alone, and it is not a weakness to admit that we need another person. Secondly, I'd like us to think more about realizing that when a special person is placed in our lives, we would be smart to make time to see where our relationship with that person might go. Money and reaching career goals are great, but a forever love is even better.
SORMAG: Tell us about your publishing experience?
JOSEPH: It hasn't been quite the chore it could have been. I have been blessed to have linked up with a local publisher who has been very helpful to me in setting up my publishing company and getting my book printed as the first work. I've learned so much on the back end of publishing, and I have found, over and over again, that writers are such a wonderful group of people! Whenever I've found myself stuck or with questions, there is never a shortage of answers. But I'm glad the release date is just about here. I really think the hardest part is yet to come...
SORMAG: How do you feel about critique groups?
JOSEPH: I've had both good and bad experiences with critique groups. I think it depends on the writer. If the writer is strong and confident in her/his work, then it would be hard for even a bad experience to bring that person down or discourage them. But even a strong writer has to determine after a few conversations with a potential critique partner/group whether or not the partnership would actually be benefical to their writing process.
SORMAG: What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
JOSEPH: I wish non-writers would understand that writing is a job, too. It requires time and concentration. One book doesn't usually make an entire career, and writers do not get rich instantly.
SORMAG: Do you have any promotional tips for writers?
JOSEPH: One thing I find that has worked really well for me is to tell everyone you talk to what you're doing. When you start to believe you're a writer, everyone else does, too. And you become accountable for making your words come true because you have given them to others. Also, always carry business cards, and use them. They're great conversation starters, and you never know what role the person you're talking to might play in your journey, or you in theirs.
SORMAG: What activity do you like to do in the spring?
JOSEPH: I get spring fever real bad, and I love to change things-- around the house, the car, the wardrobes. I feel like everything needs to be new in the spring.
SORMAG: What was the last book to keep you up at night reading it?
JOSEPH: I devoured Divine Destiny by Gwenyth Bolton. It was absolutely wonderful, and I couldn't have put it down if I'd wanted to. I had to read the whole thing in one sitting. And I'm so glad I did.
SORMAG: How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)
JOSEPH: Readers can contact me via my website at: www.rhondajacksonjoseph.com, or by email: rjacksonjoseph@yahoo.com. My snail mail address is: P.O. Box 14804, Houston, Texas 77221-4804
3 comments:
Great interview, Rhonda! I love the cover of your book. And I can't wait to read it. It sounds like it's going to be one of those "I-couldn't-put-it-down" books. Congrats!
Gwyneth
U do your thing gurl!!!
Congratulations Rhonda. Your book sounds like a fun read.
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