Joanna Waugh is an amazing woman.  Recently she won the Midnight Seductions Essence of Romance Contest taking the first place prize for her debut novel, Blind Fortune.  Please join me in welcoming her to TwoLips Reviews as she talks about not only her novel but her love for the historical romance.

Welcome, Joanna!  Congratulations on your well-deserved win!  

What was your first reaction to winning the Midnight Seductions Essence of Romance Contest?

I was dumbfounded.  I knew the music room love scene from Blind Fortune was special—after all, my publisher decided to base the book cover on it—but I had no idea the scene resonated with so many people!  My excerpt was up against some really stiff competition and I would have been happy for just an honorable mention.  But to actually win!  What a thrill. 

Tell us all about your award winning book, Blind Fortune.  What was the inspiration behind this emotional story?

Lord Granville has abandonment issues.  His mother committed suicide when he was very young, leaving him to be raised by a harsh father.  He’s been hiding his heart behind an arrogant façade ever since.

At the core of the story is Lady Fortuna’s continued misunderstanding of Lord Granville’s intentions.  She often misinterprets what is said because she can’t see his face or read his body language.  I based this on actual experiences with my late husband who lost his sight to diabetes.  He often misunderstood conversations—not surprising since over ninety percent of all human communication is nonverbal.

What made you decide to become a professional writer?

There was no decision involved.  The need to write has been in me as far back as I can remember.  I was (still am) asthmatic and, as a child, spent a lot of time indoors.  Reading was my favorite pastime.  A natural outgrowth of this was entertaining myself with my own stories. 

I got away from fiction in my late twenties.  For the next two decades I wrote articles for specialty newsletters, did political op-eds and white papers.  Then I woke up one morning ten years ago with a full-blown book in my head and it was back to fiction! 

How long did it take you to get Blind Fortune published?

I finished Blind Fortune in 2004 and entered it into the Beau Monde’s Royal Ascot writing contest where it placed second.  That win landed Roberta Brown as my agent.  For the next year, she shopped BF to NY pubs but none of them wanted a book about a blind heroine.  I shoved it under the bed and moved on to other projects.  Then, in 2007, my crit partner—Cheryl Dragon—suggested I try the e-pubs.  I submitted Blind Fortune to Cerridwen Press and they snapped it up.

How supportive is your family in your writing process?

My mother is my biggest fan.  She’s been involved in my writing from the time I was young and has always encouraged me.  My late husband was a great supporter also, as is my son.  My son lives in Arizona now so I don’t get to see him as often as I like.  While I was visiting with him over the holidays, I learned Blind Fortune will be released in trade paperback in mid-April.  It made the news very special to share it with him. 

Who has influenced your writing?

With regard to Blind Fortune, there are two major influences.  One is Mary Balogh.  I was moved by her deaf heroine in Silent Melody and decided to try my hand at writing from a blind heroine’s point-of-view.  The other was my late husband.

They say you should write what you know; I drew from my experiences with him.  It may seem odd but, Lady Fortuna’s fundamental character is based on his.  He truly was a gentle man and worked hard to make people around him comfortable.  In fact, strangers often didn’t realize he was blind!

What draws you to the regency period in historical romance?

I’ve always loved the late 1700s early 1800s time period.  I devoured biographies about George Washington and the naval hero Stephen Decatur as a kid.  I loved the way the fledgling American navy took on the most powerful navy of the world and held their own!  While others were reading James Fenimore Cooper’s Last of the Mohicans, I was caught up in his Two Admirals!

Gradually, interest in the culture of the fighting ship spilled over to the culture of the drawing room.  It was fascinating to discover that the way I was brought up in the 1950s wasn’t far removed from Regency attitudes.  Women still wore hats and gloves and dresses.  A “good girl” went to her marriage bed a virgin (more out of fear of pregnancy than moral rectitude.)  Men were masters at home and in the business world.  In fact, few women even drove a car!

All that changed in the 1960s—thank goodness.  Nevertheless, I understand the Regency because, in a lot of ways, I’m a product of those kinds of values.  I understand them, although I wouldn’t want to go back to that kind of oppressive life.  Society has come a long way since then and I’m glad.

Do you plan on writing more romances in other time periods and/or genres?  Which ones would they be?

I have no immediate plans to abandon the Regency.  But if I did, I would write the Edwardian period.  Technically, it ran from 1901 to 1910 but I would include World War I.

The beginning of each century is a time of great upheaval socially and economically.  The dawn of the 20^th century was of particular importance to women’s struggle for autonomy.  It was a time of great tension between old values and new as society rode technology into the future.  When I think how the 20^th century began and where it ended, I am staggered by all that was accomplished in a mere one hundred years.  These contrasts fascinate me as a writer. 

What's a time period/genre you would never write about?

I could never write contemporary.  I’m too out of touch with the culture of young people today; I’m afraid my age would show.  Historicals, however, are a different matter.  The parameters of the Regency, Victorian Era etc…are well-established and definable.  I am comfortable with their framework because, for the most part, their attitudes and values are the ones I grew up with.

Your writing tends to be more sensual than erotic.  Do you envision writing a steamy romance in the future?

My crit partner, Cheryl Dragon, thinks I should!  The book I’m currently working on is a bit steamier than Blind Fortune.  I will never write erotica, however.  I’ll leave that to Cheryl because she does it so well.  Better than I ever could!

I’ve always been drawn to stories with a great deal of sexual tension in them….all those longing glances and unrequited passion.  Gets me every time!  Since that’s what I love to read, that’s what I write. 

Which authors are on your "keeper" shelf?

The list is so extensive!  (and constantly evolving)  But here are a few:

Mary Balogh

     Joanna Bourne 

Liz Carlyle

Jane Feather

Madeline Hunter

Eloisa James

Laura Kinsale

Lisa Kleypas

Edith Layton

Julie Ann Long

What advice can you give aspiring writers?

Believe in yourself and never give up!  Understand that criticism—whether from critique partners or editors—is subjective.  That said, writers do have an obligation to hone their craft.  There’s always something new to learn and growth can come in the most unexpected way.  

Attend writing conferences.  The workshops there are worth a lot more than the conference fee!  You can learn everything from improving your craft, the ins and outs of the publishing industry, to self-promotion, whether they are five days or over a weekend.  The networking at these events is without price. 

Tell us about any upcoming releases/projects you have. 

Currently I am working on a Regency paranormal set in 1816 Cumberland (present day Cumbria.)  William Radcliffe—knighted for his distinguished service at Waterloo—wants only to raise his sheep and forget the war. He also wants to forget the daughter of an earl he fell in love with and walked away from two years before because he convinced himself she deserved better than to marry a country squire.  When Will stumbles upon an abandoned spring and accidentally releases the spirit of a 6^th century pagan king, events are set into motion that threaten to undermine his notions of duty and honor.

Lady Susanna Middleton is still trying to understand why the only man she’s ever loved turned his back on her.  She and Will’s sister have maintained a correspondence over the years. When Susanna learns her dearest friend has been struck down by a mysterious illness, she shows up unannounced to nurse the girl back to health.  For the invalid’s sake, Susanna must set aside her broken heart and work with Will to discover what is making his sister ill.  But the closer the two of them get to the truth—about the feelings they still have for one another as well as the pagan spirit—the more dangerous the situation becomes.

Where can interested readers learn more about you?

Check out my website of resources for Regency readers and writers at www.joannawaugh.com 

In addition, I blog about British customs and holidays at

www.joannawaugh.blogspot.com

Then there’s my Myspace page: 

www.myspace.com/joannawaugh

and Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Joanna-Waugh/1355015961

and sign up for my newsletter at:

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Now…on to some "fun" questions so our readers can get to know you better. 

Don't be shy…it's just pillow talk!

How would your friends describe you?

Outgoing, talkative.  Stubborn.  Opinionated but able to see the other side of an argument.  A take-charge kind of person.  Reliable.  A woman of her word.  In addition, I have a strong sense of duty.

What do you find sexy in a man?

Intelligence and a natural curiosity about the world.  A keen sense of the absurd.  What I admire most in a man is confidence in his masculinity, loving and respecting women…but doesn’t let them push him around.  A facilitator rather than a control freak.  If he has all that going for him and is a great kisser to boot, I’m a goner.

What is something readers would find surprising about you?

Until five years ago, I installed electric meters.

What's a guilty pleasure you have?

I love peanut butter on toast!  And white cake with white icing.  (When I was growing up, every proper wedding cake was white with sicky-sweet white icing.)

What "song" represents you?

It’s My Life by Bon Jovi

What's something the modern woman should have?

A sense of humor and the ability not to take herself too seriously. 

I think there’s a lot of hardness in women these days.  They seem to suppress their basic nature in the mistaken belief to do so is the only way they can succeed in a man’s world.  I worked in what was considered a man’s job for twenty-five years.  I came to admire the way guys could disagree with each other to the point of fisticuffs, but not hold grudges.  Men are really boys inside.  What they want most is to please the women in their lives.  I’ve seen the nastiest of fellows soften like butter around his lady love.

Your dedication in Blind Fortune is rather intriguing.  Can you tell us about it?

My late husband’s nickname was Wahoo.  In our younger days, we were avid skiers.  One year we took a trip to Vail, Colorado.  A  three-piece country band was playing in the lounge at the lodge where we were staying.  With their permission, Wahoo got up on stage between sets and told jokes, then danced with a drink of his head and sang Your Cheating Heart.  By the end of the week, truckers were coming off the interstate to catch his act.  The band tried to talk him into going on tour with them but he returned to Indiana with me. 

Years later, members of our ski club were at Lake Tahoe.  A three-piece country band was playing in the lounge of the hotel where they were staying.  At one point, the singer in the band said into the mic, “And this is for Wahoo, wherever you are.”  Then they played Your Cheating Heart.

Wahoo passed away twelve years ago but I’d like to think the band is still out there dedicating that song to him.  As for me, every book I write is in his memory.  He was the smartest, funniest, most loving man I’ve ever known.

Thanks so much, Joanna, for allowing me to interview you for our interested readers at TwoLips Reviews.  I know Wahoo is looking down upon you and yours with a song in his heart!  Thanks for placing a song in ours.

        Victoria for TwoLips Reviews