This week I'd like to introduce you to travel writer Jo Carroll, fresh back from Havana and hopefully full of ideas for her next book. Don your fedora, strike up a Cuban cigar and stick a straw in your rum cocktail as I welcome her to share her passion.
"Thank you for inviting me onto
your blog, Amanda – what a privilege it is to be here, among such wonderful
people!"
'Bombs and Butterflies' is set in Laos - how much
of this is based on personal experience and how long did it take you to
research?
Bombs and Butterflies is an
account of my travels in Laos
– so the whole thing is based on personal experience. I talk about the
wonderful people I met, and the courage of Laotians who are still struggling to
recover from years of bombing. While the west had its back turned Laos became the
most bombed country in the world. I spent much of my time there in awe of them
and their capacity to put that behind them and embrace the future.
Dream time. What's your ultimate goal as a
writer?
I simply want to carry on enjoying
both writing and travelling. When it becomes a chore, then I’ll give up. But I
can’t imagine a day when I give away my guidebooks and settle back with the
telly.
Tell us about your ideal writing day. It can
be as wild and far-fetched as you like!
Writing days at home are very
different from writing days when I’m away.
When I’m travelling, I write whenever I stop – so in cafes, hotel rooms, bus stations, on trains – everywhere. It’s the only way to get down all the glorious details of where I am.
At home, I like to think I sit
down and concentrate for hours – and sometimes I do.
Other days I potter with friends
or read and tell myself I’m thinking about writing.
Describe yourself as a writer in five words.
Eclectic, versatile, … um … not sure
I can think of more. Maybe ask my readers?
How do you deal with a bad review? Are you a
sulker or a shrugger?
I’ve had only one ‘bad review’ -
from someone who read Hidden Tiger Raging
Mountain and didn’t like my discussion
of social conditions in Nepal.
After an initial huff I was fine with it, because he’d pointed to the aspect of
the book that many had praised. He simply wasn’t into social observations.
What's next for you?
I have heap of notes on Cuba. Give me a month or two and I’ll tell
all in another ebook!
QUICK FIRE ROUND
Planner or Winger?
I don’t fall neatly into either
camp.
Night or Morning?
Middle of the day!
Doer or procrastinator?
It depends how you define
procrastinate. Sometimes when I’m pottering the writing is swimming around my
head anyway.
Writing/first draft or editing?
Both - if you want books to be the
best they can possibly be, I think you have to enjoy both.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee in the morning, tea in the
afternoon, wine in the evening!
Thanks, Jo, it's been a pleasure having you drop in!
You can buy Bombs and Butterflies and Jo's other travel books by visiting her website and following the links.
* * * NEWSFLASH * * *
Thanks to all of you who shared or promoted last week's free promotion of 'Lottie's Luck'. It achieved unprecedented rankings and I've been delighted that it's popularity has continued with new readers putting their hands in their pockets and buying it ever since. I've hit new sales records in each of the last three days, despite having had the lurgy - perhaps I should be ill more often!
