Interview with Jo Ann Hernandez, author of The Throwaway Piece

My guest today is Jo Ann Hernandez, author of the young adult novel, The Throwaway Piece. In this fascinating, candid interview, Hernandez talks about how she started writing, the obstacles she had to face and overcome, her state of mind during the creative process, and what she finds most difficult when writing.

Thanks for this interview, Jo. Why don’t you begin by telling us a little about yourself?

I grew up in San Antonio, TX and attended 12 years of Catholic school that I am still recovering from. I married and moved to Vermont and lived there for 23 years. I was married for ten and raised my two boys for the next 13. Then at 43, I left my sons, my cat, my house and moved to San Francisco where I knew no one to earn my Master’s in Creative Writing. I earned my degree, published my first book, and was accepted by a prominent New York agent and became homeless at the same time. I was homeless for six years then I was sick for 8 years. Now I am, more or less, up on my feet and finally home in San Antonio, TX, and writing again. Feels Great!!!!

When did you decide you wanted to become an author?

I didn’t decide to become an author. It was decided for me. I thought writing was fun and too easy to be considered one’s life work. I joined a women’s artist group and they are the ones that convinced me that the universe needed my voice. Who me? What did I have to say? Now, as you will see, I can’t shut up.

Do you have another job besides writing?

No. I’ve been fired from all seven secretarial jobs I had.

Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story.

The Throwaway Piece is a story of a foster kid who doesn’t believe she has an impact on the world around her. Yet she changes the lives for the better of everyone who enters her life.

I was a foster mom for 8 years. My girls would tell me things about the places they had lived. Those episodes became the “Rules” Jewel speaks at the beginning of each chapter. Like make sure you know where the toilet paper is before you go.

How would you describe your creative process while writing this book? Was it stream-of-consciousness writing, or did you first write an outline?

I have only outlined a book once and that was for a competition. Usually the book is read into my head from a Higher Power or the universe or angels or something. I hear the story in my head chapter by chapter. Sometimes I feel like I am taking dictation. Anyway that was how my first two books were written. Now things are changing and I’m not sure how I write anymore. That’s good and scary.

Article Author: Mayra Calvani

Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children, teens and adults. She also offers online workshops on the art of reviewing and picture book writing at SavvyAuthors.com.

Visit Mayra Calvani's author page — Mayra Calvani's Blog