The One-Link Lowdown on...Jo Ramsey

I love meeting fantastic new writers, and my guest today, Jo Ramsey, is a real find. Imagine writing your first story at five years old! Well, that early start means that to date Jo has around 44 full-length manuscripts written in her favourite young adult genre, many of them forming various series. Fantasy and reality collide in a place where - as Jo says - 'anyone can be a hero.' Welcome, Jo!

If you could retrieve one thing from your childhood, what would it be?

Probably the first story I ever wrote. I was five, and it was about a five-year-old girl who was sent to live with her uncle. I don’t remember much about it, but I wish I could read it and see how I did writing it, and also see if maybe I could rework it into a publishable story.

What’s the worst job you've ever had?

Washing dishes in a university cafeteria. The chemical smell was nauseating, and you wouldn’t believe some of the things those students left on their trays.

Ewww...maybe best not to tell us more, Jo! So what’s the best job you've ever had, then?

Writing. Hands down.

Good answer! Okay - tell us three surprising things about yourself, one of which is a fib - and we'll try to guess the fib!

1. I used to do psychic channeling sessions at a New Age bookstore.
2. I was born in Canada.
3. I wrote my first novel at age twelve.

What’s on your bedside table/nightstand?

My clock radio, a chunk of rose quartz, a book I’m reading, and a blanket because there’s nowhere else to put it.

I have rose quartz on my nightstand too, in the form of a favorite necklace. Tell me now, which household chore would you happily give up for ever?

Cleaning out the cats’ litter box.

O, yes! As a fellow cat-owner, I'm with you there! Jo, what talent or skill would you love to have that you don’t have now?

I’d love to be able to dance. Before we met, my husband did West Coast Swing dancing and was even an instructor. When we first moved in together, we tried going dancing as a “couples thing”, but I couldn’t get my feet to do what I told them.

Wouldn't that be lovely? I'm so envious of people of my parents' generation who seem to be able to do all kinds of social dances. I'm sad that's all disappearing. Jo, what drives you seriously nuts?

When my daughters don’t do their chores, or do something like washing their dishes but leaving food wrappers lying on the counter.

What’s the best review you've ever had?

The best review of a young adult book that I’ve had came recently on my novel Cutting Cords, book three in my Reality Shift series. The reviewer was a 13-year-old, and part of the review was “Wow. This book was amazing.” Hearing an honest review from a member of my books’ target audience was awesome.

That IS awesome - congratulations! Last but not least - what's your guilty pleasure?

The teen TV drama Degrassi. It’s essentially a soap opera for teenagers, and I’ve been watching it for years.

Can't beat a good soap! Did you guess Jo's fib? It's No.2 - she's a Massachusetts girl, not a Canadian. Jo, it's been great to have you as my guest, and I've really enjoyed having a look at your link today, your lovely website. You certainly are a prolific writer! Long may that continue. Thanks for being here today - good luck with all your future projects.