1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I was first introduced to writing in high-school when a friend an I started making radio plays for our English class. For our class finale, we made a movie in which I also acted, directed and spent time behind the camera. In college, I always took creative writing classes and had some poems published.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
The Diva of Mud Flats was inspired entirely by an idea I had for a character that was completely phony, yet actually attained some true notoriety, but couldn’t shake the false persona she created for herself. The other characters defined themselves as I created a story around her.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I hope readers will come away from reading my book seeing how stereotypes don’t define a person and how abusing power will always carry consequences.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I have written a lot of genres, but this was my first venture into romcoms. I wanted to write a genre bending story that included scifi, westerns, comedy and romance.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
There are so many interesting and wacky characters in my book, that you could spend days interviewing them, but I might be tempted to sit down with Elizabeth, the diva’s personal manager, and the most normal person in the book. I would ask her how she can tolerate so much abuse from the diva. Answering this question was somewhat cathartic as I realized just how much she is me.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I stopped branding myself on Twitter and have built a small following on tiktok. I have hired a publicist and need to work with her on my social media, but you can find me on tiktok @jonni_jordyn.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
I think it’s important for aspiring authors to recognize how creative they are. Natural creativity is very important for fiction, but other writers can still pursue a career in nonfiction. Still others may find their niche in editing and publishing. If you have that special spark, find your method, whether you are an outliner or a panster. Then learn how you like to polish it during revisions.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the h (horizon?)
I am currently revising an upcoming novel that I hope to have out by the end of the year. It will be the third and final book of my Virus series. Following that, I think I’ll finish the last book of my grill series, which I think has eight chapters completed. Then, I have to write the last book of my magic series. So, I’m planning out to the end of 2026.
About the Author
Jonni Jordyn, an award winning American author born in Oakland, Ca, started out playing music at age two, and moved on to singing and acting in grade school. High School introduced writing and film making followed by drawing and photography in college. In other words, she had a VERY LIBERAL arts education.
Jonni published some poetry and some india ink drawings in literary magazines while in college, won critical acclaim for her acting in a cabaret theater, but was faced with a decision to pick out the arts she wanted to pursue.
Of all the available opportunities, music and song writing won the first round when she found herself performing with legendary stars of the sixties and seventies.
Round two began years later, after leaving California for Arizona. It all started with a blank piece of paper and the question, “how can I possibly write more than eleven thousand words for a single story?” A valid question which was followed up a year later with, “How did I ever write 160,000 words?”
Now, the writing comes much easier, but still there are questions like, “How will I ever get all these ideas written down?” followed closely by, “How many times can I edit the same book?”
Jonni currently lives in Colorado with her bird.
