Featured Interview With Sandra Joines
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up along the Forgotten Coast of Florida in a small town called Port St. Joe. It was one of those towns where everyone knew each other and every mother and father looked out for not only their own children, but also all the other children. It was a time when it was safe for children to roam the neighborhood without fearing “bad people.”
Times have changed, and now I live in the Denver area with my family. Although I love the majestic Rocky Mountains, I have saltwater flowing through my veins, and I love to return to the Gulf of Mexico beaches to refresh my soul.
I loved kayaking, hiking, and cycling until a nasty spine surgery put a stop to that. Now, you can find me enjoying my family, writing, and sewing vintage dresses.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Oh, my! My mother said I started reading before I could walk. So says she. I did, however, have an early fascination with reading, and I still run across things I wrote from way, way back.
In fact, just last month while I was cleaning out some boxes, I ran across a journal entry I wrote during the Cuban crisis. We lived near an Air Force Base, and, as word had it, we would be among the first places to be bombed by the Cubans. The fear in my writing leaped off the page. I was afraid for our country, my town, and my family. I feared my little brother would never grow up.
We were never bombed, and the fear passed. I wonder if teens feel that amount of fear now.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
This is where I am supposed to talk about a famous author who had an incredible impact on literature. Right? Well, you know who one of my favorite authors is? Jean M. Auel, author of the Earth Children’s Series. It began with Clan of the Cave Bear, and five books later The Land of Painted Caves was published. It amazes me how an author can not only develop remarkable characters, but also how she came up with a way for them to communicate. And, how in the world could she re-create how the world was 25,000 years ago.
I love reading romantic suspense, mystery, thrillers, and I recently began to love urban fantasy.
Stuart Woods inspires me with his dialogue simplicity. For instance when he starts a book with, “Elaines, late.” And I have really learned to appreciate the way R. A. Vance develops his characters in GoneGodWorld: A Paradise Lot Novel. I hope I can learn from both of these talented authors as well as many, many more who have contributed to my passion for writing.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Spine Surgery Recovery: How to Prepare Your Home and Take Care of Yourself to Minimize Pain and Stress. None of us have a grip on how quickly our life can change with just one dirty trick from nature – a trick that changes the way we perform simple, everyday personal tasks. It could be from an accident, progressive spine degeneration, or some other disease. We find ourselves in pain and unable to bend. This causes more pain and more mental stress.
I know. I have been there, and it’s been rough. Before I had spine surgery, I set out on a mission to make adjustments to my home that would make my recovery more convenient. During my recovery, I felt a considerable amount of angst because I had to depend on a caregiver for many easy tasks. I decided I had three options: 1) do without some of those personal things 2) abuse my caregiver or 3) figure out how to do things myself.
That’s what I did. I found ways to get around my pain and bending restrictions and came up with some pretty interesting ways to take care of myself.
I decided that every person with pain and bending issues could benefit from my techniques, and I wrote a book to share. It has practical, inexpensive ways to make adjustments to the home and it explains to the reader how to perform tasks that used to be simple. It is comprehensive, easy to read, and has some humor thrown in. Believe me, when business in the bathroom is discussed, there needs to be humor.
It took me about four months to write the book and get it on Amazon Kindle. Wasn’t like there was a lot I could do. Certainly couldn’t ride my bike, or kayak, or hike. I feel as if I turned my pain and inconvenience into writing.
I sincerely hope the book helps others who are facing challenges. It was written with love and compassion. You can pick up an eBook on Amazon Kindle http://amzn.com/B01BVSKNFQ.
Suppose I should sneak in that I am also the author of a romantic suspense, Tears of Sand, which is the first book in The Plata Hartman Trilogy. The second should be published this summer. I have an incredible passion when it comes to writing fiction and cannot wait to begin writing book three to see what the disobedient characters come up with next.
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