Author Bio:
Award-winning author, Joann Keder spent most of her years in the Midwest, growing up and raising a family on the Great Plains of Nebraska. She worked for sixteen years as a piano teacher before returning to school to receive a master’s degree in creative writing. A mid-life move to the Pacific Northwest lead her to re-examine her priorities and her desire to create stories about life and relationships in small towns.
What inspires you to write?
I've always been a writer but reluctant to allow myself that "luxury." I could do that later. When my husband had a life-threatening experience, followed by my own two years later, I asked myself, "what are you waiting for?" Life and living are my inspiration. I write with that urgency and intention.
Tell us about your writing process.
I start with a lot of background. Who are these people? What is their background? Why do we want them to succeed? I want to know them well. They need to have relatable (and funny!) qualities. The next step is the outline, sometimes detailed, sometimes not. As I progress, the outline may or may not resemble the final story.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I consider it a HUGE success when I dream about a character. Keilah Brownwell, from, "The Story of Keilah" has occupied many dreams. Her insecurities are those shared by so many people with disconnected families. I do try to see the world through their eyes as I write. What does the room look like to them? What do they smell? Taste? They are real and I grieve their loss when I start a new series.
Who are your favorite authors?
I love Amy Tan, Fannie Flagg and Jody Piccoult. I'm a fan of any author who creates a woman with many faults, many more strengths and a touch of humor.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
My first book, "The Something that Happened in Pepperville," was traditionally published in 2009, after writing it as a part of a master's thesis. It came out when I was unfortunately in a bad spot in life, so I did very little to promote it and thought my writing days were over. When I finished, "The Story of Keilah," ten years later, I struggled to find an agent. I decided I could wait around the rest of my life to find one, or self-publish and get as many books out into the world as possible. It's been a steep learning curve, but I'm happy with the outcome. Either publishing method requires a team of gifted people to make a quality product. I'm proud of the books I've published and look forward to many more.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I wish I had that insider knowledge. I'm still learning the business. In the short time I've been involved, it's changed tremendously. I can't imagine readers will just disappear, but I'm sure the industry will have to continue to evolve.
What genres do you write?
Women's Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Humor
What formats are your books in?
eBook, Print, Audiobook
Website(s)
Joann Keder Home Page Link
Follow Joann Keder On Amazon
Author’s Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
All information is provided by the author and is presented as it was submitted so you the reader get to hear the author’s own “voice” in their interview.
