Author: JoEllen Heath
Publisher: Xlibris0
ISBN: 978-1-4415-1278

Click Here To Purchase Claws of the Dragon

Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, JoEllen Heath, author of Claws of the Dragon and Tiger Eyes.

Good day JoEllen and thanks for participating in our interview

Norm:

JoEllen, could you tell us something about yourself. How did you get started in writing? What keeps you going?

JoEllen:

Even as a young child, I have been creating stories thru many different mediums, painting, sculpture and writing.

It wasn’t until I moved to Hawaii that I progressed from short poems, to many first drafts, to the reality of becoming a published author. The journey one encounters as a writer opens an endless opportunity to take my readers on a exciting adventure, while at the same time, revealing my inner persona. The need to create has always been food for my soul. A gift that cannot be ignored; a deep desire to expose a piece of who I am out into the universe whether appreciated, acknowledged, or just for my own amusement; a gift from whence I am in the process of discovering.

Norm:

Did you read any special books on how to write? Do you work from an outline?

JoEllen:

I did take a short course on how to write for a newspaper thinking that I might become a journalist, but life took me into a different direction.
I’d have to say that my love of books as a child, fueled my imagination, especially the wonderful stories by Pearl S. Buck about China.

Norm:

How did you decide you were ready to write your trilogy? As a follow up, why did you decide to write a trilogy?

JoEllen:

When I developed the story line, I wanted to have a book that people could read on a plane trip, vacation, Sunday afternoon. Not too
Short, not too long, just enough to want more when they were done, like popcorn.

Thus, I also have a web site called popcornpublications.com (presently not operational). Once the first book was done; Tiger Eyes, I left my readers wanting more, so Claws of the Dragon continued the adventure as will Blue Lotus that should give my readers an ending to this story line. It hadn’t been my intention to have three books, but the characters (who just seemed to jump into the story by themselves), wouldn’t let it end.

Norm:

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

JoEllen:

The story line for this adventure was spun from a journal written by one of my ancestors who was a Merchant Marine Captain sailing out of Denmark into the China Seas.

The journal was written to his wife describing all the fascinating places he traveled. I attempted several fictional drafts and finally set the story in Hawaii also taking the reader back in time to ancient China and India. New ideas for future books are abundant dropping out of the universe, so I am eager to move onto the next adventure.

Norm:

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

JoEllen:

Creating with words is very challenging. Capturing the reader’s attention, keeping the flow not unlike a musical score, making sure the story line is solid and not confusing, and that a professional editor essential. Thank goodness for spell check but no matter how many times I re-read looking for mistakes I needed a professional eye.

Norm:

Has your environment and/or upbringing influenced your writing?

JoEllen:

My mother opened the doors to the world of escaping into books, and I know that instilled my desire to write, it just took many years for me to realize the dream of becoming a published writer.

Norm:

In fiction as well as in non-fiction, writers very often take liberties with their material to tell a good story or make a point. But how much is too much?

JoEllen:

You want to take your readers on a wonderful adventure but make it relatable so they can feel some kinship to your characters. 
I have read a few books that ramble on and on to the point of boredom just to fill the pages and lose the plot.

Norm:

What, in your opinion, makes a good story?

JoEllen:

You have to grab the readers’ attention in the first few pages of the story and hold their attention all the way through to the end leaving them with the desire to look forward to  your next book.

Norm:

What books have most influenced your life most?

JoEllen:

Pearl S. Buck’s The Good Earth and Dragon Seed, Carl Sagan’s The Dragon of Eden (evolution of human intelligence),
Deepak Chakr, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, The Urancha (1960’s), and the works by Ernest Hemingway and James Michener,

Norm:

Do you feel that writers, regardless of genre owe something to readers, if not, why not, if so, why and what would that be?

JoEllen:

What’s the point of writing an article or story if you do not impart accurate knowledge of the subject matter and offer them an
interesting story line. They have spent money and expect a good read.

Norm:

Are you working on any books/projects that you would like to share with us? (We would love to hear all about them!)

JoEllen:

I am working on my third book, Blue Lotus, conclusion to the trilogy of Tiger Eyes and Claws of the Dragon. I have several story lines
to develop, one will be Cocktails and Sunset. A prelude to murder in Hawaii –modern day circumstances where survival at any cost
over rides the laws of sanity.

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to share with our readers and how can we find out more about you and your books?

JoEllen:

I feel extremely fortunate to have been published and to have received positive feed- back from my readers, and will continue to
honor their loyalty with exciting, mysterious adventures. Presently my books are available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble,
several other book store web sites, Publish America and Xlibris. I am reconstructing my own web site, joellenheath.com through
Yahoo.

Norm:

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors

Mahalo Nui’ Loa Norm for this wonderful opportunity.

Click Here To Read Norm's Review Of Claws of the Dragon

Click Here To Purchase Claws of the Dragon