Meet Historical Romance Author Jo Donahue
Today historical romance author, Jo Donahue, shares her interesting life and tells us about her new action and adventure historical romance series.
Welcome Jo Donahue
What interesting jobs have you had?
My mom tried to convince me to become a nurse for many years. I wasn’t particularly interested, because when I listened to her stories, it seemed like many of her jobs were gross. She was a cardiac critical care nurse. My first job at twelve was babysitting in the church nursery. I earned 50 cents an hour and thought I was rich. My first job out of high school was as a clerk in the Little Rock Post Office. One thousand five hundred men to two women, I thought those odds were good until my father (a letter carrier) transferred to the same office as me so he could keep an eye on me. I never knew when he would suddenly appear. There were a lot of hunky mailmen to use as models for the men in my stories.
When I married, my husband’s job meant we moved around a lot. Some people join the Navy and see the world. I married a hospital administrator and saw the South. When we moved to a new town, I would obtain a job in a grocery store to see where the largest payroll checks were being cashed. Then I would apply there. I sewed pockets in Windbreaker Jackets, stuffed brushes in hair rollers at Goody, drafted boxes for Hoerner Waldorf box company, and worked as a manifest translator (French to English) for a steamship company in Houston. I also hammered in pins to place backs on Polaroid cameras. Suddenly, maybe nursing did not sound so bad.
I finished my bachelor’s degree in nursing at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. Even though at the time all this happened, the moving and the weird jobs was challenging, it prepared me for writing. I have so many ideas for books, but I would need to live for 200 years to complete them.
How much research do you do for each book you write?
Dave Farland teaches that the amount of research in preparation for writing is like comparing it to an iceberg. The regular writer has only time to share the tip of the mountains of research completed for a book. I am a heavy plotter. When an idea for a book occurs, I quickly make a synopsis, then a loose outline, so when I am ready to write, I have the idea mapped out. My research process starts with reading books concerning the era I choose for the book. I want to know about the people, the food, and family life during that time. If there are other books in that genre, I read them.
I am more interested in the life of the characters rather than the actual characters. I visit museums. I contacted libraries and schools to discover how history described the people of that area. Recently I visited the First American Museum and Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City to look at the artifacts and how things were used. I have several journals full of notes to prepare for the three books in my next series of the Pinkerton Ladies. I designed a future story by contacting the Dutch Settlers Museum in Delaware. They were so kind; they sent me videos, links to research articles, and pictures of everyday clothing worn in the 1600s by the first Dutch settlement in that area. I have found that people are good at sharing if you ask. What can they say? No? That’s not a loss. Just find a different route to the information you need.
Unusual Hobbies:
I have often been described as a “blood and guts” nurse as I worked in the emergency rooms and critical care areas. If you work in those areas, you believe in living with stress. During that time, my hobby was writing my “little stories.” My pursuits are mundane to most, but I love to garden and preserve the food I harvest. I firmly believe in knowing what you eat and taking care of yourself. I like to can my vegetables and often leftovers, such as spaghetti sauce, soups, stews, vegetables, and pickles. I have a recipe collection from my grandmother, mother, and father.
Although my father was an Army Cook during WWII, his recipes involve math to par them down for a family rather than 500 soldiers. I often write at the kitchen table while watching the canner to ensure everything is going right. I have nine hens (I live in town) and have fresh eggs daily. My most unusual hobby is knitting wild socks. I love the bright colors and snappy designs. When I need to work out a problem for my characters, out come the knitting needles. I find that the business of knitting clarifies my thoughts.
Who influenced your writing?
My father was a prolific writer. He loved to write short stories and epic poems to read to me and my cousins before bed. He used them to share ethics and morality ideas as guidelines for us as we grew, instead of “talks” or “lectures.” I have stacks of his stories, but he never published them. Dad also used his stories to make fun of our era. He wrote “Elvis, the Pelvis,” an epic poem to make fun of the obsession with Elvis Pressley.
Dad always had a book in his back pocket. My mother was an avid reader, also. His theory was that no matter what you want to learn or do if you can comprehend, there was a book somewhere that could give you the information you need. Unfortunately, he died before the internet. He would have loved it. My mother and her siblings were named after characters Grandpa had read in books. So, you can see, books have always been a large part of my life.
My Process for Writing:
I am a plotter who writes with a sprint group (Northern California Romance Writers), mainly Panzers. I think the need to plot comes from being a nurse for so long. We analyze, evaluate, and plan constantly. When I have an idea, it is crucial to write the synopsis, then fill out my outline template. The template is a combination of things I have learned through different courses. I recommend Mary Buckham’s course on Hooks, Dave Farland’s Master Courses, and the many classes offered through Hearts Through History.
My outline includes reminders for each “beat or section,” including the opening hook, conflict, motivation, goals, internal and external conflicts, setting, and closing teaser for the next scene. At the end of each scene, I have a list of questions to answer to ensure the scene is complete. I stick to Stephen King’s premise in the first draft: “Just write. You can make it right later.” My other habit when writing is writing the first and last scene before the others. I would like to know where I am going so I can plan how to get there. The second draft is when I use all the key points listed above. I am a firm believer in hiring editors, both developmental and copy.
What projects are you working on now?
I currently have completed two books in the three-book series of the Pinkerton Ladies in first draft and am working on the third book. My Kindle Vella story is “Miscalculated Love,” which concerns a screenwriter who lives on a narrowboat on the English canals and rekindles a love from her past. Kabul Running’s first draft is almost finished and is scheduled to come out in the spring of next year (2024). In the fall of 2024, my first adventure fantasy (Long Way to Home) will be out late next year.
I am also working on a novel (non-fiction) for the Business of Writers. This book will serve as a handbook guide for the business side of writing, including taxes, incorporating, marketing, and many templates to use when managing receipts, budgets, and setting up a cost center for each novel. (My Master’s is in Business, with a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration).
Belle’s Dilemma
by Jo Donahue
1860, Maryville, Missouri
Headstrong, fiery red hair, Belle Stoval, orphaned at a young age, was raised by her aunt. Frustrated by life decisions made for her, she steadfastly wanted to have her way. Even if it meant leaving all she had known as a child and traveling west with her best friend, Mary. They traveled via stagecoach clipper ship, attacked by bandits, privateers, and storms. In the face of the civil war and Mary’s sinister stepbrothers, they opt to go west to California to meet Mary’s true love.
Belle’s life changes as she forges the new life. In this life, she faces the decision of choosing between the blond, handsome farmer who is determined to have her and the sheriff bound to protect her.
Available from AMAZON
Learn More about Jo Donohue
Dorajane Grummer is a retired hospital nurse (43 years); however, she still serves as a nurse in litigated court cases as a life care planner. She was the editor (and authored a chapter) of the American Association of Nurse Life Care Planners Core Curriculum in this field.
Dorajane grew up in Oklahoma, where she plans to retire someday. She married a hospital administrator and moves frequently in the southern states, where she has gathered information for many of her stories.
Dorajane writes under the pen name of Jo Donahue when writing fiction novels. These books are Action-Adventure books with romantic elements, always with strong female characters. Her first book was published last year, with three more expected by the end of 2023.
You can find more about Jo’s life and books on her website: https://jodonahue.com.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoDonahueauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/donahue_jo
