Hi Joyce, Your book was terrific. Now we'd like to know more about you.
Q. How long have you been writing? What made you put that first story down on paper?
I've been writing since I was about twelve and rewrote Gone With the Wind with all the same characters but with new names. <twinkle> I started writing in earnest when my grandfather was murdered and I needed a way to control the outcome of SOMETHING. Writing can be therapeutic -- as well as creative.
Q. Do you write in a particular genre? If so, what genre is it?
I write in whatever genre I need to tell the story at hand. I have a collection of short stories that are philosophical in nature -- and fun. I used short stories called Losing Patience because I was wanted to get in, get to the point, and close. I used historical fiction for In the Shadow of Suribachi because I wanted to get to the heart of the story -- and many of the men I talked to told me one story for attribution -- and quite a different one when I promised not to use their names. I used non-fiction for most of the books that I ghostwrote just because that's what they client wanted and needed. I write poetry when the fire is hot and I have plenty of time. I write thrillers for fun...and of course, my new book, For Shrieking Out Loud! is from my column, the Weekly Shriek and is humor.
Q. Have you been published?
Many times. I've been around for awhile.
Q. What was the first story? Where was it published?
1964 in the high school newspaper.
Q. How long did it take to write and publish?
I don't remember anymore.
Q. What was the process?
I write something and submit it...or I pitch something and then write it.
Q. Who’s your favorite author and why?
Harper Lee -- because she turned real life into art.
Q. How did you deal with rejection letters, if you received any?
Sure...I just figure that I didn't hit the right slant for that particular publisher and I try again.
Q. What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
Passion, tenderness, wisdom -- and an aversion to adverbs.
Q. How do you develop your plots/characters, ideas/concepts ? Do you use any set formula?
I do use an outline so that I work through the plot. Then I might write it several ways -- determining which character should be the main one, etc. I research, research, research. Then I write again. Some stories have 20 or 30 incarnations before I even begin the actual first draft. I think all the time.
Q. What do you do to unwind and relax?
Write...and stand in hot shower with my mouth open...hopefully not at the same time.
Q. What do you like to read?
History, current events, science.
Q. What does your family feel about your writing? Are they supportive?
They are very supportive. This is my retirement gig -- and my husband's. It's a business...and we all know it.
Q. What inspires you? Who inspires you?
History. The people around me.
Q. Are you working on any projects right now?
Yes. I'm writing a book with my writing partner, Pat McGrath Avery, called "The Sunchon Tunnel Massacre" which is about 8 men in their 70s now -- who were POWs during the Korean War.
Q. How do you handle Writer’s Block?
I've never had it...<crossing fingers>
Q. What is most frustrating about writing? Most rewarding?
All the promotional stuff that I have to do to get folks to read my work when I feel like I should be writing. The more rewarding is when I get fan mail from folks who were moved by something I've written.
Q. Do you have any kind of writing schedule?
Write everyday that I'm not traveling (and some of those days too)...even holidays.
Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given as a writer? What’s the worst?
Follow your own gut...if others don't get it, rewrite so that they do get it...but don't change the point of your stories. The worst advice was to let agents determine my fate. I hire them -- they work for me. They should remember that.
Q. If I were sitting down to write my very first story, what would your advice be?
Write your soul as though you were dancing.
Q. What is your best advice for getting published?
Write good stories.
Q. What has been the single most important part of your success?
Focusing on quality as I define it for myself.
Title: In the Shadow of Suribachi
Author: Joyce Faulkner
Paperback: 232 Pages
ISBN 0-9745652-0-2
Price: $15.95
Distributed by Biblio Distributor. www.bibliodistributor.com
Contact Red Engine Press for bulk pricing: 417-230-5555.
Joyce Faulkner holds an MBA and a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering with aPetroleum Option. She worked with Consolidated Natural Gas (CNG) for sixteen years in a variety of positions in engineering, information technology and business. In 1995, she began speaking at seminars about the role of the Internet in business relationships. After spending years using knowledge management and business reengineering techniques to help restructure the corporation, she was put in charge of creating and maintaining the corporate Internet and Intranet sites. She left industry in 2000 to concentrate on writing full time. Her writing credentials include feature articles, instructional pieces, manuals, profiles, technical white papers, business analyses, ghostwriting and short stories. Her column, "The History of Aerial Applications," ran in Ag Pilot International and “Crop and Prop International”. She also had a column for Inscriptions called, "Where to Go When You Want to Know" and is a contributing writer for Scribe and Quill. She has also several ghostwriting and editing assignments to her credit. Her popular humor column, “The Weekly Shriek” appears on www.theCelebrityCafe.com. She has written articles and reviews for The Writer, Curled Up with a Good Book, Foreword Magazine, Inkwell Newswatch, American Oil and Gas Journal, Clever Magazine and ByLine. She co-edits two newsletters -- the “Yarnspinner & Wordweavers Newsletter” for writers and “Salute!” for veterans and friends of veterans. Joyce also is a director of the Authors’ Coalition. She’s been interviewed by Paul A. Toth in his Tothworld Podcasts and has appeared on The Lounge a talk show hosted by Carol Espy on KDKA radio. With four other authors, she has published a series of audio classes on writing from Double DragonPress called Audio Classes for Writers focusing on the promotion, the art of writing and
technology for writers. Along with three other award-winning authors, she recently signed with Double Dragon Press to do a second series of CDs called Head to Head: A Writer’s Audio Handbook. She is also partner of RRP Consulting … STORYTELLERS focusing on author services. Aside from In the Shadow of Suribachi, Joyce has four novels in varying stages of completion and a short story collection called Losing Patience also from Red Engine Press. She is also co-author for a new book on writing called The Complete Writer: a Guide to Tapping Your Full Potential and co-editor of The Complete Writer’s Journal. Her next book will be a collection of humorous essays called For Shrieking Out Loud! It’s due out in spring 2007. She’s also working on two non-fiction projects – The Sharon Rogers Band and The Sunchon Tunnel Massacre Survivors. Both are due out in 2007. Her speaking engagements have included appearances at the Pittsburgh Junior League Book and Author event in March, 2006, readings and in writing classes at various colleges and junior colleges across the country. She and writing partner, Pat McGrath Avery, performed “Role” Call for Women Who Served at the National Women History Project Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. She regularly appears at the American History Framery and Gallery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for events like “History and the Arts”. In March, 2007, she presented “The Amazon Whisperer: Harness the power of this online giant to promote your books” at the First Annual Women Author Speak in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information on Ms. Faulkner, check out www.joycefaulkner.com, www.losingpatience.com and www.intheshadowofsuribachi.com. Contact Joyce.
Writing Credentials
Novelist and Freelance Writer
Published Books:
LOSING PATIENCE, IN THE SHADOW OF SURIBACHI, THE COMPLETE WRITER: A GUIDE TO TAPPING YOUR FULL POTENTIAL
Instructor
Double Dragon Publishing's Audio Classes for Writers
available on CD
or downloadable mp3 files
&
Member of the Audio Divas
www.audiodivas.com
Yet to be Published Books:
USER NAME, WINDSHIFT
Featured Humor Columnist for TheCelebrityCafe.com
Humor Columnist for Clever Magazine
Features, Profiles, Essays, Humor, Travel
Publications: Clever Magazine, By-Line, Scribe & Quill, Inscriptions, Afterimage, GoodGoshAlmighty, Ag Pilot International, Writer's Weekly, Curled Up with a Good Book, The Writer, American Oil & Gas Journal, One Thousand Whispers, Women's Independent Press, TheCelebrityCafe.com, In Posse Review, Bike Midwest, The Stump, Inkwell Newswatch, Foreword Magazine, Amazon Shorts, The Branson Bugle
Profiled in the Greater Pittsburgh Women's Yellow Pages 2006
Education
MBA -- Cleveland State
Bachelor Science Chemical Engineering -- University of Pittsburgh
Associate Engineering Science -- CCAC, Boyce Campus
Three years of Writing at University of Arkansas
