I’d like to welcome Joanna Vander Vlugt to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: I like to read fiction. I do so much reading when I’m writing, i.e., how to write a press release; my own stories when re-writing, but I like reading other people’s novels to escape from my own work. Also, I enjoy taking my two mini-schnauzers for walks.

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: I hate cleaning windows. I’ll wash floors, bathrooms, dust, but getting outside and cleaning windows, groan. The other thing I hate is cleaning blinds.

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: I need my mocha (I make my own), and my two mini-schnauzers. One schnauzer is considered a “senior” because he’s 12, and the other one will be turning 2 in April. They’re quite the duo.

Things that distract you from writing: If my husband is watching TV in the other room, I find that distracting. He likes watching political podcasts. That’s when I close the door to my writing room/office.

Hardest thing about being a writer: The hardest thing being a writer is the marketing. Finding the right company or business that will help promote you and not scam you.

Easiest thing about being a writer: The writing is the easiest part of being a writer. When you get in that zone, and it’s not even fishing for words, you’re like a conduit and the words flood out.

Favorite snacks: My favorite snacks are my own protein balls that I make with peanut butter. I’m so predictable. That’s my morning breakfast, a protein ball, orange and mocha, and I take that into the writing room and the dogs follow.

Things that make you want to gag: Snails and liver. I like seafood. I like mussels but I will not eat octopus, snails, and liver. My mother use to make us eat liver. It doesn’t matter how much you coat in breadcrumbs or soak in ketchup, liver is awful.

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: I wanted to be involved in magazines and marketing.

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: I never thought I’d have my own podcast. As a child I was a terrible reader. Thank goodness I found that one book that turned my world around. I started reading voraciously and then I became a writer. Now, I read short stories out loud on my podcast SAM Magazine.

Things to say to an author: Keep writing, even if it’s only fifteen or thirty minutes, because you never know when the magic might happen. You can’t predict anything when it comes to creativity.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: If I were fictionally killed off in another author’s book, I’d want to be in a fancy hotel in New York City, wearing great clothes, and not a hair out of place. Don’t put me in a dumpster because I’m scared of bugs and rats.

Favorite places you’ve been: Kihei, Maui because it reminds me of Canada but with heat. It’s so relaxing to stay in Kihei. That town has such a zen attitude.

Places you never want to go to again: Some of your readers may be shocked when they read this, but Las Vegas. I’m not a gambler. I’ve seen it once and that was good enough.

The most exciting thing about your writing life: I would say the most exciting thing is when after one or two years of working on a novel, actually physically holding that book in your hands. That’s pretty exciting.

The one thing you wish you could do over in your writing life: I wish I had never taken a 20 year break from writing. But given my life circumstances, the break was understandable. I had different goals.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: It was the greatest compliment from a reader. She messaged me on Facebook and said, “Joanna, I can’t put this damn book down.” I will always remember that.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: I thought it was another sweet compliment, but a reader had read The Unravelling, and she told me that in the next book, Jade needed to eat. She’s never eating, throw her a burger. So, in Dealer’s Child, I used the readers line about “throwing Jade a burger,” and it was a lot of fun to work that in.

Best piece of advice you received from another writer: Do not compare your success with another author’s success. Writing is such a volatile, twisting and turning career path with highs and low. Be true to yourself and always ask yourself, why do you write?

Something you would tell a younger you about your writing: Never say never. You’re going to go through some up and downs. You’re going to stop doing what you love, writing, and you’re even going to tell your friends, that you’re not writing anymore. But trust me, life throws curve ball, and you will get back to writing and when you do you, like Alicia Keys sings, “This Girl is On Fire.”

Recommendations for curing writer’s block: Trust the process of writing and don’t beat yourself up. Maybe go for a walk, take a 3-day break, get away from the desk and get outside. The inspiration will come back.

Things you do to avoid writing: Honestly, I don’t have this problem. I really do love writing. If I don’t write for three days, then I get jittery.

About Joanna:

JOANNA VANDER VLUGT is an author and illustrator. As a teenager, she drew charcoal portraits and wrote mysteries. Now, she uses Copic markers to illustrate motorcycles and scooters. Under the pseudonym J.C. Szasz, Joanna’s short mysteries Egyptian Queen, and The Parrot and Wild Mushroom Stuffing were both published in Crime Writers of Canada mystery anthologies. Her essay, “No Beatles Reunion” was published in the Dropped Threads 3: Beyond the Small Circle anthology.

The Unravelling, her debut novel, and Dealer’s Child were Canadian Book Club Awards finalists. Joanna draws upon her 13 years’ experience working in the prosecutor’s office and 10 years working in the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner for inspiration for her novels. Joanna is proud of her podcast SAM Magazine and the many authors she has interviewed. Joanna’s novels, art and podcast can be found at joannavandervlugt.com. As well, her quarterly publication SAM Magazine, can be found at sam-magazine.com.

Let’s Be Social:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joanna-vander-vlugt

https://www.amazon.ca/Spy-Girls-Jade-Sage-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0CJ3P9Z1B

https://www.instagram.com/joannavandervlugt_author_art/