 GMB: This week, I am welcoming Author and Friend, Native American Mystery Author, Joan Leslie Woodruff. Before we start, I have to share with Blogger Fans and Friends that Joan’s positive influence is in large part why I so enjoy writing novels today… I want to take this opportunity to thank Joan for all her encouragement and mentorship through many years of writing and publication. *Thank You Joan*. JLW: No problem *Smiles* … You are welcome. GMB: Tell us a little about yourself. JLW: I am always changing, growing, and learning. My life’s had tragedies many could not recover from; but I look for the lessons. From suffering comes understanding. Understanding creates an arc in the learning curve. Rainbows are arcs, both joyous and spiritual.  GMB: Recently, I visited your Author Website and found this wonderful quote by you … Mind if I share it here? JLW: Not at all… GMB: I just have to share this… Your quote reads, "You are born, and you will die, and for all that knowledge, you try to make life count somewhere in the middle. No day is more important. No day is less important. Each moment is equal as long as you are in it, and that’s the secret. A friend once told me, the best day you will ever have is the one you show up for.” GMB: Your quote is inspirational … The inspiration comes from a 'friend'… Please tell us more about where; perhaps how you continue to find your greatest inspiration? JLW: My greatest inspiration came from the elders in my family, from my grandparents, aunts, and uncles, older cousins, and especially my parents and my brother. GMB: So wonderful, Joan thanks for sharing … And from your inspiration, what has brought you to choose to write suspense mysteries? JLW: Suspense mysteries are my favorite genre. I write them because that is the genre I read most often. GMB: When inspired, which appears first when contemplating a new project: a character, the plot, or perhaps the title? JLW: Characters begin showing up in my life. I develop stories around the ones they tell me. When I get off their story-line, I get stuck. When I return to the story-line they provided, it flows easy. GMB: Indeed, I came across a review of your novel “Neighbors” (1993) ... it seems to speak to your approach for creating stories through your characters, and it shares so much more about your writing … I hope you don’t mind me sharing this review with our audience. JLW: No, not at all Mitch…  GMB: This comment is about “Neighbors”, and seems to capture what is special about so much of Joan's writing in fiction… “The beauty of Woodruff’s novel is in the language. Rich metaphors decorate her descriptions, and conversations between characters twist interestingly with unusual, but believable, phrases and expressions. The tale is far from a comedy, but Woodruff imbues even ordinary scenes with a delightful wry humor.” Laura L. Klure, writer, Riverside, California. JLW: In fact, you have found a review from my dear friend, Laura L. Klure… GMB: Great! And perhaps you can share with us what may be the hardest part of a novel for you to write, the beginning, middle or end? JLW: The ‘middle’ is the most difficult because it means I am halfway. I like adventures. I especially enjoy the beginning and the ending. The middle isn’t always easy. GMB: Has your own life influenced your novels? JLW: All my novels grew from my life. GMB: Who is your favorite character in your stories, of the ones you have created? JLW: Mule is my favorite character. He appears in three of my novels. He is a listener. He has the best role in the story. His presence brings tranquility and kindness to the scenes.  GMB: Tell us a little about your newest book release. JLW: My newest release is not fiction. As a therapist who has a heavy background in the sciences, I have always been suspicious of theory-based counseling. Neuroscience advances every day in leaps and bounds, and it is finally catching up with what I have known since I was a student: Our brain and our mind is programmed by us. GMB: If I was a publisher, I believe my first question would be, “Why were you chosen to write this story?” How would you respond to the inquisitive publisher? JLW: My response to a publisher asking why I was chosen to write a story is: I don’t see that I was chosen to write it. I believe I was burdened to write it. My stories are multi-layered, they open doors and close doors for the readers. I believe people are better for having read them. GMB: Which do you prefer, a great hero or a great villain? Why don’t you name one of each… JLW: I prefer a great heroine. For instance, in ‘Ghost in the Rainbow’, the heroine is Myra, a woman with so many flaws, she doesn't even try to make excuses for herself. The villain is Beau Haggis, a serial killer. GMB: If you could be anyone in the world, space, and designated realm, who would it be? And why? JLW: I would be myself, because I am familiar with my path. GMB: Thank-you Joan for this wonderful interview, your sharing so that we may get to know more of you, and your writing. JLW: You are welcome Mitch! GMB: And, for our Blogger Fans and Friends, please know Joan Leslie Woodruff writes in the genre of medical, suspense mystery; suspense thriller and historical literary. More about Joan and her writing can be found at her website, http://joanlesliewoodruff.com  Book title(s) by Joan Leslie Woodruff, MEd, OTR, Native American Mystery Author include: ‘Traditional Stories and Foods’ (1990); ‘Neighbors’ (1993); ‘The Shiloh Renewal’ (1998); ‘Ghost in the Rainbow’ (2002); ‘Wishes and Windmills’ (2003); ‘Polar Bears in the Kitchen’ (2009) and ‘Mind Games’ (2012). To acquire the available works of Joan Leslie Woodruff, she suggests that all her books (those still in print) are purchasable through her Website where you can select the bookstore (of your choice) button. FORTHCOMING INTERVIEW for the Week of April 17, 2013:
G. Mitchell Baker Interviews Jennifer Loiske, Young Adult Author and Friend from Finland.
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