Former Goth woman JoAnne has taken a few minutes to sit and chat with the JR ladies.

JoAnne tell us about your most recent work…

That would be Dracula’s Kiss. It’s a vampire romance apart of Decadent Publishing’s multi-author 1NS series which are all stand-alone eBooks. It’s set in various locations in and around Cruden Bay, Scotland; we’re talking castle ruins with actual connections to Bram Stoker.

Here’s the blurb:
Cathela’s Office Halloween Ball is a complete bust. She spills out of her Dracula’s Bride costume, and her vamp fetish chases away her boyfriend. Only redeeming feature to the night?

Necking multiple shots of Dracula’s Kiss—a lush Black Cherry Vodka cocktail—and an interlude with a gorgeous man dressed Gary Oldman style.

No one comes close to satisfying Alec Murray’s needs until he meets Cathela during some lame-ass party for bankers. One taste of her blood, sweet yet darkly dangerous, he knows she’s perfect for him.

A night of Goth bondage is planned for one. For the other, a night of sexual control is a must. A perfect fit. Alec is compelled to reveal his true nature, but can their relationship survive his dark secret?

Tell us a little about what inspired you to write Dracula’s Kiss.

I’ve always wanted to write a classic vampire tale reminiscent of the old vampire movies, so Dracula’s Kiss is one writers dream fulfilled for me. The fangbanger in me is quite smug with herself right now.

When you start writing, do you already have the story plotted out or do you let the characters dictate what will happen?

I’m a fast draft kinda girl. I’ll get through that first draft, allowing the characters lead the way. But during the various rounds of edits a manuscript will go through, they get whipped back into place. Not literally…yet; I sense whips will make an appearance in a future book, though.

What inspired you to write in your genre? Is this the genre you started writing in or have you morphed to this one?

I love to read, and write, in contemporaries and paranormals. When I wrote my first book, When A Mullo Loves A Woman, I thought I’d always be a paranormal author but I was led astray by those pesky plot bunnies. And I’m glad I did, as I enjoy writing both equally.

Do you have a favorite character you have written?

That would be Rachel in Sweet Irish Kiss, because I poured so much of myself into her having also come from a broken home with similar issues that she faces.

Who was the toughest character for you to “get right” that you have written so far?

Again, that would be Rachel. Because she was so close to me, it was hard to take a back seat at times.

Do you draw inspiration for your characters from real life? Any fun stories you could share?

No, but I do draw inspiration for my characters from characters in movies and movie stars. Dracula’s Kiss was based on Stuart Townsend’s Lestat in Queen of the Damned.

What do you find the hardest part of writing?

For me, it goes from one extreme to the other. At times, I struggle to just sit down and get on with it, finding housework and fiddling with iMovies…anything…to procrastinate with. Other times everything gets ignored so I can ‘just finish this chapter’ which of course carries through to the next chapter, and the next.

Name one thing that your readers would be surprised to know about you.

I was an all out Goth once upon a time. Those are the days that inspired me to finally sit down and write Dracula’s Kiss. It was wonderful to revisit that darker side of myself.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

Cheesy dance/music movies. And, shush, between you and me, I actually watch and enjoy Jersey Shore.

What do you need before you start writing? Anything that is just a must have or the creative juice don’t flow?

Music.

Does music influence your writing? If so, do any of your stories have a theme song?

It definitely influences my mood while I’m writing, and I make character soundtracks for each book I’m working on.

When A Mullo Loves A Woman: Pearl Kizzy’s inspiration came from Closer, and Break Apart by Divine Madness
Sweet Irish Kiss: Rachel Taylor’s song was The Exception by Paramore.
Dracula’s Kiss: Cathela’s mantra and motive came from More by Sisters of Mercy
Rock you Like a Hurricane is the only book I’ve written that actually has a soundtrack for the story rather than the characters. Far too many to mention, but needless to say that the Scorpions song was key!

If your story was optioned for a movie, who would play your characters?

For Dracula’s Kiss I would love Abby from NCIS to play Cathela, and Stuart Townsend to play Alec Murray.

Where were you when you got your first contract? Who did you tell first?

I was at home, and I told my wonderfully supportive writer friend over chat, Nicole, first, because she’d helped me so much writing my first book. She was the person who I couldn’t wait to tell. I knew she’d be just as excited as I was.

How old were you when you read your first romance book?

My sister handed down all her Sweet Dreams to me. I was 13. Soon after I got addicted to Virginia Andrews after borrowing my mum’s books. After that, the library got kinda sick of me.

What author causes you to “go fan girl”/ squeal over/anticipate upcoming books?

Eden Bradley, Crystal Jordan, Lara Adrian, Shelli Stevens, Sara Humphreys, Olivia Cunning, Dakota Cassidy, and Jill Myles. There are many more, too many to mention here, I’m sure. I’m totally addicted to reading!

If you still have one of those pesky non writing jobs what is it?

Nope. Not unless you count Mother and wife as a job.

If you could co-write with another author who would it be?

See all above ‘fan girl’ squeal authors.

How do you pick your characters names?

They just ‘come’ to me. Other times, though, the characters are stubborn and don’t like any of my suggestions so I turn to name websites and friends. For instance, Dracula’s Kiss: Catherine Ela aka Cathela was something that just appeared on the page during fast draft. I have no idea where that name came from. That’s the beauty of fast draft. Creative juices are allowed to flow freely. It’s when the magic happens for me. But Alec Murray was stubborn and didn’t suit any name I could come up with. Lucky for me, Sheliba, a good friend on Facebook, offered up a list of Alpha-esk male Scottish names. A mix and match session later, and Alec Murray was born.

Do you prefer the love at first sight approach or a steady growth throughout?

Each story requires a different approach depending on characters, plot, and length, in my humble opinion.

Is there a genre that you love to read but don’t want to (or think it would be tough for you) write?

I’d love to write a kick-ass horror. I’m afraid it might have me crying in a corner, though, scared of my own words.

What was the hardest book for you to write and why?

When A Mullo Loves A Woman was my first book, and took me over a year to write. I struggled through tenses issues and getting all the plot points to join up. At the same time, I’m most proud of this book. I love all the twists and turns, and I feel my Virginia Andrews inspiration all over it.

Coffee, Tea or Soda Pop?

I’m on doctors orders to not do caffeine. But I do enjoy a good cup of PG Tips. It’s hard to get the decaf version in the States, so I’m pretty naughty drinking it. But don’t take away a cup of Tea from a Brit. EVER. That’s just illegal.

What is in the wings for your readers to look forward to?

My plot bunnies have been busy, and my editor wants more Irish from me. So I’m busy with more Irish pub stories that will pick up where Sweet Irish Kiss left us. Yes, for those who have read the book, Devlin, that crass, silver tongued Irishman is getting his own story. Also, I have a sequel to Rock You Like A Hurricane in the works, which is called Thunderstruck, and some paranormals and more vampires. 2012 is going to be a busy year for me!

Where can readers find you

Website
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube

And for the silly side – What is your favorite type of chocolate?

Thortons, a choccie shop in the UK. But if we’re talking USA choccie, I’m going to have to say Godiva truffles or Ferrero Rocher. YUM.