|

URL:
www.jiannecarlo.com
ABOUT JIANNE
Jianne Carlo knows
multi-cultural romance. Born to an Indian father and a
Hispanic mother (intent on becoming a nun), she met and
married her Dutch-bred immigrant husband in her last year at
college. Their children check off the majority of the boxes
under the category, Ethnic Origin.
Add to this the fact Jianne grew up on a sixty by forty
Caribbean island where the population mixture represents the
world's religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity (and some
mixtures no one's dreamed up) and you have a multi-cultural
woman who believes the word, 'Mutt' represents the best of
human nature.
For the factually inclined, Jianne has a Bachelor's
Degree in English and Sociology, and a Master's in
Management Science with three areas of concentration,
Computers, Finance, and Statistics.
She's lived and worked in Canada (Ontario, Vancouver),
the United States (San Francisco, various small cities in
southern California, Miami, and Parkland) and the Caribbean
(Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Puerto Rico,
Dominican Republic, Tortola) and South America (Guyana).
Her passions in life center around her proudest
achievements, a happy marriage (measure of happiness varies
with level of irritation), and three grown sons of the
finest caliber who she's proud to call friends, although
they're never allowed to forget the mom factor.
Other areas of interest include travelling, meeting new
people, reading, working with all animals, Equestrian
dressage, cooking, eating said food, and sipping good wine,
while hanging out, ('liming' in Trini-speak) with friends.
Jianne's proud to announce the only carbonated beverage she
drinks is champagne. Who needs Coke?
And you never want to be in the same room if she picks
up a dart and aims for the target.
Run for your life.
INTERVIEW
Q: When did you start writing?
A: I started writing in 2005. My husband and I
went to a fairy tale wedding held at Clearwell
Castle in Wales, and on the flight I read a
romance novel. The setting, the castle’s history
inspired me. Q: How do you manage to
find time to write while working full time?
A: I don’t sleep much. If you’re young (under
40), you’re shaking your head. If you’re
pre-menopausal, you understand. If not, wait a
while, you’ll get
there.
Q: Do you base your characters
on people you know? A: No. But I do
base some character traits on friends and
family. Dee’s obsession with lists (D is
for Desire) is based on my fixation with
them. I have lists all over the house. And Tee’s
equestrian talents (T is for Temptation)
comes from my admiration for my friend,
Stephanie's remarkable Equestrian skills.
Q: Do you plot, or write by the seat of your
pants? A: Seat of my pants. And I’m in
computers for my day job, so that makes no sense
to me at all. I write chapter by chapter and
never really know what’s going to happen next.
Q: How does it feel to finally publish your
first book? A: Almost as good as
getting married or giving birth—almost.
Q: Your sons have such interesting names.
How did you come up with them? A: My
husband told me I could name the children
whatever I wanted provided:
1. Name had to begin with a J
2. Had to be one he’d never
heard of before
3. If a boy, second name had
to begin with a W (his middle initial), if a
girl M (my middle initial)
4. Each child had to have four names, including one for their
Dutch Heritage.
Q: What cultural differences have you found
between Trinidad and Florida? A: Not
a whole lot, because South Florida is such a
melting pot for the Caribbean and Latin America.
I’ve met Trinidadians I grew up with here in
Coral Springs, and if I’m homesick, there’s
always the Miami Carnival every October. Even
native food is readily accessible; I can find a
chicken and pumpkin roti not five minutes from
my home.
Q: Do you find inspiration in your writing, from
your life in Trinidad? A: Definitely.
My Witchy Women series features the different
islands of the Caribbean. T is for Temptation
- Trinidad,
D is for Desire - Barbados, and H is
for Hedonism - Antigua. I try to mention my favorite places and restaurants for each
island. So many people take cruises to the
Caribbean and get stuck at all the tourist
spots. I write about the places the locals
favor. So, if you’re going on a cruise or
traveling to the Caribbean, pick up the book
corresponding to your itinerary.
Q:
Does your better half read your books? A:
Every single one. My husband is my grammar critic.
Q: How did you find such a wonderful
critique partner?
A: I lucked into Mary Ricksen.
Q: So, what are your sons’ names?
A: Jodan Wijbe Ian Joseph
Jarin William Victor
Andries
Josun Warren Louis Jan |