JoAnne Myers
Author Bio:
I have been a long-time
resident of southeastern Ohio, and worked in the blue-collar industry most of
my life. Besides having several novels under my belt, I canvas paints.
When not busy with hobbies or
working outside the home, I spend time with relatives, my dog Jasmine, and
volunteer my time within the community. I am a member of the International
Women’s Writing Guild, Savvy Authors, Coffee Time Romance, Paranormal Romance
Guild, True Romance Studios, National Writers Association, the Hocking Hill's
Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County Historical Society and
Museum, and the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center. I believe in family
values and following your dreams. My original canvas paintings, can be found
at: booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com
JoAnne will be giving away two copies of her poetry book to commenters today:
Poems About Life, Love, and Everything In Between (a poetry collection)
Poems About Life, Love, and Everything In Between (a poetry collection)
INTERVIEW:
What
is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
Take vacations by myself to other states. I did get lost at the Kentucky
Derby once and it took me hours to find the party bus. I was fortunate that
they waited for me. I live in Ohio, and the derby is in Kentucky. I was scared.
What
adventure would you like to have that you haven’t done yet if money and skill
were no problem?
Well that will be
happening this August. It is the month of my birthday and this year I am going
rock rappelling at the local Old Man's Cave, which is a big tourist attraction
here in Hocking County. The caves get millions of visitors each year.
Who
are some of your favorite authors?
Ann
Rule, Anne Rice, Gregg Olsen, Aphrodite Jones. What commonality do you see in
them? They all write true crime which is
my favorite genre.
I
believe color says something about a person’s personality. What’s your favorite color? Blue
If
you could have a do-over life, what one thing would you do differently? What would you do again?
I would wait to
marry and start a family until I finished college and had my career going. I
would marry and have children.
What
is your writing process from conception to finished MS?
I think of the story line, than the
characters and what they should look like, including their personalities. Who
are the bad guys and who are the good guys. What type of action should take
place between these characters; such as a kidnapping, murder, fist fights, love
scenes, and how the ending should be, whether it should be a happy ending or a
sad ending.
Are
you a planner, panster or both?
I am a planner. I like planning every story out
instead of winging it as I go along.
How
did you research for your book?
This
story is an actual case from my hometown of Logan, Ohio that occurred in 1982.
It took nearly 30 years to find the true perpetrators. There were a lot of
suspects, and twists and turns, involved with this case, and unfortunately the
local police convicted the wrong man. It was a sad time for the whole county.
This crime terrified us small town citizens and detroyed families.
What
is your all-time favorite movie? TV
show?
It use to be Gone With the Wind, but now it has been a weekly SyFy show
called Bitten. Their new season is getting ready to start and I cant wait. It
is filmed in Canada with Canadian actors, and very action packed. It involves a
family of werewolves, but they are the good guys.
How
important do feel writing workshops are to any writer?
I think writing
workshops are very important. I believe an artist, whether that be a writer,
painter, or any artist, never stops learning about their art. I don't think
there is such a thing as to much learning, when it comes to crafting your work.
If
you could learn one new skill, fear and money no deterrent, what would it be?
To scuba dive. It must be amazing to see
under water. The fish must be beautiful. That would be great to do.
If
you had a million dollars to donate to any one charity, what would it be?
The
humane society for abused and neglected animals. I feel everything in the world
needs help; animals, children, the environment, plant life.
What
advice would you like to give to an aspiring writer?
Never give up. You will be
published if you continue to write, and I believe writing leaves one with a
feeling of accomplishment.
Did
anyone mentor you or help you along the way?
Please tell us about your mentor and what you feel they contributed to
your writing career.
Yes I did have
encouragement from a fellow local writer. He edited my first book, and looked
for publishers for me. I have since moved on to other publishers, but I did
appreciate all that my friend did for me.
What
is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
To be honest and kind in life and to others, and work for what you want.
As for my writing, I was advised to not listen to others when and if they have
negative comments. Write what I want to
write and not what others think I should write.
If
you could live anywhere in the world you wanted to, where would it be? (Language is no barrier)
I would
start with the whole European continent.
There are way to many seemingly nice countries to live in. It would be a
difficult choice for me to make.
Where
do you write?
In my spare bedroom which
I call my hobby room, since this is where my computer and stand is, along with
my paints, brushes, and canvasses.
How much time do
you devote to writing each week? Do you
have a day every week that you take off?
As I was putting my books together, I would write daily, even if it were
just a few lines. I just could not stay
away from the computer for long periods of time. I wanted to finish these
books, before I forgot what I wanted to write. When I start a new book, the
writing becomes an obsession.
What is a genre
that you have not attempted that you would like to try?
Romance, erotica, and
children stories. I don't think I will ever attempt erotica, but maybe sometime
romance and children books are a possibility.
Is there
anything you would like readers to know about you?
I just want people to read and enjoy my
stories. I hope to always write and paint.
It is my passion at this time in my life. A beautiful passion that
becomes a beautiful and lasting creation.
Blurb for The Crime of the
Century-a shocking true story
The residents of Rolling Hills, a hamlet in southeastern
Ohio, were horrified when the dismembered bodies of two missing teens were
pulled from the local river. Multiply suspects surfaced, but only one was
railroaded, Richard Allan Lloyd, a known nudist and hothead.
What began as an evening stroll turned into what found
only in horror films, and dubbed ‘the crime of the century’. 18 year old Babette, a voluptuous beauty
contestant and horsewoman, and her 19 year old boyfriend Shane Shoemaker, a
jealous and possessive unemployed printer, were last seen crossing a trestle
bridge. Within fourteen days, their mutilated torsos and severed heads and
limbs were unearthed, suggesting satanic cult activity.
With an investigation smeared with contradicting
statements, and a botched crime scene, investigators built a flimsy case
against Richard Lloyd. The three-week trial was based on police corruption and
ineptitude, fairytale theories, and forensic mishandling.
This heinous crime shattered the sense of security for
Rolling Hills, destroyed two families, and forever scarred the town. This story
is a detailed account of finding justice for Babette and Shane, and of one man’s
perseverance to gain his freedom from death row.
EXCERPT:
What took place
within a few hours became legendary for the close nit community.
At 5:45 pm.,
Chief Barron used his walkie-talkie, to radio Mowery, who stayed at the command
post with Dale and Sarah. Only a few short words were needed.
“We found
something, but we don’t know what it is,” said the chief.
What searchers
found . . . was unthinkable.
Just 150 yards
north of the railroad trestle spanning the Hocking River, Sheriff Jones and one
of his deputies reported “something entangled in debris,” near their small
boat.
The officers
initially said they believed the object was an animal carcass. Once it was
dislodged and floated down stream, they realized it was human.
The officers then
followed the remains and discovered 30 yards south of the first torso, the
second torso was located. Both torsos were reportedly snagged against brush
along the riverbank just west of The National Supply Company.
Both torsos were
reportedly nude and so badly decomposed, officers said they were unable to
determine their sex.
Upon the
discovery, Will Kernen broke down and was seen “running and screaming” from the
area. The remains were pulled to shore and coroner Rausch was summoned to the
riverbank.
Law enforcement
personnel cleared the immediate area of non-official personnel. Afterward, they
stationed themselves around the perimeter of the area while the bodies were
examined.
Many searchers,
upon leaving the crime scene, were overheard by reporters asking one another “Are
the authorities looking for one killer or two?”
After his initial
examination of the bodies, the coroner said he was unable to rule on the cause
of death or what sex the torsos were. What he did say, was that if one man
committed both murders, it was “during a great rage” and by someone with
something “very personal” against one, or both, of the victims.
Order your copy of “The Crime
of the Century” by JoAnne Myers here http://www.blackrosewriting.com/non-fiction/the-crime-of-the-century-a-shocking-true-story
Remember to include your email contact in your comment for a chance to win one of JoAnne's books.
