INTERVIEW WITH JOELLE MARTIN
Q. How long have you been writing? What made you put that first story down on paper?
A – I’ve love writing since as far back as I can remember. I remember writing my first poem in third grade and my first book in fourth grade. The book was a children’s story and was about ten pages long. Then in high school I took Journalism and earned several awards in feature writing. I can’t really say what “made” me put words to paper … except that I just “had” to. It was a natural thing to get an idea in my head and just write it down.
Q. Do you write in a particular genre? If so, what genre is it?
A- Fantasy and romance. I believe in fairies and happily ever after … and they go so well together.
Q. Have you been published?
A – Up until now I’d been published in local newspapers. They were paid. I even had a front page story that the mayor of San Jose CA read. I’ve also had a few e-zine stories and newsletter articles published. Now my young adult fantasy four book series is being published. The first two novels in the series, A Bridge in the Forest and A Promise in the Forest, are due for release next month. The next two books in the series, A Secret in the Forest and Moonlight in the Forest, are due for release next year. (JoElle's first two books will be our Books of the Month for January 2008).
Q. What was the first story? Where was it published?
A – The first newspaper article was about our family project of raising a guide dog puppy for “Guide Dogs of America”. It was published in the San Jose Mercury News. The first novel I wrote was “A Bridge in the Forest”. It is being published by Windstorm Creative. It is available for pre-ordering through Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
Q. How long did it take to write and publish?
A - The newspaper story took me a couple of days to write. It was published, if I recall correctly, about two weeks after I submitted it. Oh, the novel took about eight or nine months to write, and then another month to polish. Once I got the contract for it, it took about 18 months for publication, which is normal. From what I’ve learned publication can take anywhere from six months to a couple of years.
Q. What was the process?
A – For the novel, the process was to submit it and get rejected a few times. Heh! Actually, it is a lot of waiting once you get the contract. It is very important to follow publisher guidelines. That just cannot be emphasized enough. Following the guidelines is the only way most publishers will even look at your manuscript or submission package.
Q. Who’s your favorite author and why?
A – Shakespeare. He wrote everything … and so well. I LOVE “A Midsummer’s Night Dream”.
Q. How did you deal with rejection letters, if you received any?
A – I have quite a few writer friends. We are sort of a writer support group. They made the rejections easier. We are also each other’s cheerleaders. Of course rejections are not fun to get. But I just reminded myself that each rejection was taking me one step closer to an acceptance.
Q. What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
A – Wow. Um, the writer needs to be able to make the reader truly care about the main character. What happens to the characters really needs to matter to the reader. As a reader, I like a story that makes me laugh out loud … or gasp … or get teary eyed. The book doesn’t need to be deep or meaningful and change my life. But it does need to make feel part of the story … that I am there.
You know that TV show “Reading Rainbow”? The little theme song says that the books can take you anywhere and you can be anything. I think those things are important.
Q. How do you develop your plots/characters, ideas/concepts ? Do you use any set formula?
A – No. I don’t use a formula. I am not a structured writer at all. I confess here and now, that I am not a disciplined writer. I get an idea … sort of a spark of inspiration … and then I go from there. For example, once I was in Southern California and saw an interesting looking handsome homeless young man. I was so fascinated by him that I started getting all these ideas for a story … it turned into a Fantasy Romance novel about an elf lost in the human world who saves a young woman … I didn’t plan the story. The story came to me. I hope that makes sense.
I work my novels sort of like a jigsaw puzzle. I have an idea what will happen with the characters. This becomes the outside pieces. Then I have certain things that I know I want to happen … these are the easy to find pieces that get filled in. Then I have the details and surprises … these are those harder to figure pieces that don’t get filled in until the end ….
Q. What do you do to unwind and relax?
A - My job. I love cruising the highways and seeing our country. I also enjoy herbal teas, hiking, and taking long walks. I mostly love spending time with my family. I’ve been blessed with a family I truly love. I married a wonderful man. We have a son we are so proud of … and we have an adorable grandson. I love my life.
Q. What do you like to read?
A – Everything. I confess I am a romance novel junkie. I love reading reference books on medicine, psychology, and fitness. I read about herbs, trees, and holistic medicine. I love to learn. I’ll read anything that teaches me new things. Oh, and I always get the Farmers Almanac each year.
Q. What does your family feel about your writing? Are they supportive?
A- Yes! They are very supportive. They’ve always believed I should write and are incredibly supportive … they all are … not just my parents, siblings, and husband … even my husbands sisters are cheering me on. Like I said, I have a great family.
Q. What inspires you? Who inspires you?
A – Life. Nature. The strange little voices in my head. I have always loved the idea of fairies and elves being real. And I’ve always played with the “what if” … Those two things combined really motivate my muse.
Q. Are you working on any projects right now?
A – I’m working on polishing and editing three romances that I hope to submit sometime early next year. I’ve also developed a new horoscope and hope to pitch that idea for a book to a publisher soon.
Q. How do you handle Writer’s Block?
A- I usually work on at least two stories at the same time. So, if I feel like one isn’t speaking to me … I’ll let it marinate and work on the other one. It seems to work. I don’t force my writings too much.
Q. What is most frustrating about writing? Most rewarding?
A – Some stories just won’t evolve … the characters don’t cooperate. I have three novels that just didn’t take off. I may go back to them eventually. I don’t know. I enjoy the process of writing the story, but I am not a perfectionist and have a weak internal editor. So, I don’t know if I would call it frustrating … but it is something I am not excited about … but I don’t care a whole lot for the spit and polish I need to do to my work before I can send it out for submission.
The most rewarding? I love reaching that point where I type “the end”. And then sending it to my nieces, sister, and mother to read.
Q. Do you have any kind of writing schedule?
A – No. My job and life is too spontaneous. I write when I can … and when I feel like it. When I am home, I do usually write in the very early morning. I am the only early riser in my family. So, the house is quiet and my mind is usually very clear and focused. It is my best editing time.
Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given as a writer? What’s the worst?
A – If you get a rejection that actually tells you “why” they rejected your work … don’t be offended. Step back and look at your work again. Writing is a very personal thing. Many writers consider their work “their children” and have a hard time accepting criticism. You need to be open to constructive criticism and advice. Sometimes it is sound and can help improve your skills.
I’ve had several people give me advice and it improved my writing tremendously. I also had a publisher reject my novel, and she was kind enough to tell me why … and while it bruised the ego a bit, her reasons were sound. I’ve been reworking that manuscript based on her reasons … and I think it has made it a much better story.
Some writers are very picky about who they submit to. They want to only go to the big New York publishing houses or they think they need to get an agent first. There are so many avenues out there. Some thought going with a smaller publisher wasn’t a good idea. But I’m very happy with my publisher. Each writer has their own goals and reasons for writing. So, the route one takes for getting published has to be the best for him. Not all writers need to follow the same route. Don’t let anyone tell you there is only one right way.
Q. If I were sitting down to write my very first story, what would your advice be?
A – Heh. Finish it. Actually, learn all you can about the industry. Make sure you properly format your manuscript.
Q. What is your best advice for getting published?
A – Kind of the same as the above. Submit to the right publisher. Don’t send a manuscript about raising prize winning roses to Muscle Magazine. Don’t send a psycho killer mystery to Harlequin. Research the business. Learn all you can about it. And don’t give up.
Q. What has been the single most important part of your success?
A. I love what I do. My characters are very real to me. It took me many years … but I finally learned to believe in myself and my dreams!
