Q & A with Johanna Ryan Guy

1. If you could live during any time period and in any place, when and where would you choose?

During my Grandmother Walsh’s time growing up in the early 1900’s would be very interesting, and less complicated. Not easier, but less complicated. They were simpler times.

2. What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to cook and to spend quality time with my children.

3. What kind of music do you listen to?

My first choice would be Country music. I miss the country FM station CKIX. My second choice would be instrumental background music, especially piano.

4. What is your favourite movie(s)?

I don’t watch a lot at this point in my life, however having part ownership in Jumbo Video had me screening many movies for years. Mrs. Doubtfire was a blast, and I loved Titanic.

5. What is your favourite book(s)?

Anything by Danielle Steele.

6. What are you reading now?

One Hell of a Ride about Craig Dobbin. What a story. What a man. What an inspiration to all us small business people. It makes me even prouder to be a Newfoundlander

7. When do you like to write (time of day, day of week)? Where do you do your writing (location)?

The time wouldn’t matter, but I do have to hide away somewhere with no distractions, because when I get on a role, I just want to run with it, until there is nothing left of me to give. I wrote Ryan’s Commander in ten days, plus worked for two of those days at my regular job.

8. What was your first piece in print (book, review, or article, etc)?

The poem “Forever My Two Brothers” was printed in the Navigator just after the first anniversary of the sinking of the Ryan’s Commander.

9. What other jobs have you had besides being a writer?

Too many. I am operations manager for four Curves facilities and Stand ’N Tan. I have been working for myself for over fifteen years now, paperwork and all, which is not my strongest point, but a necessary evil of business. I love being at the store level, that’s where I’m my most productive, especially teaching the nutrition side of Curves, then I relax and go for a tan.

10. Make a question of your own and then answer it.

Would I write again?

Definitely. We all have hidden talents. I’ve thought of a hundred subjects, at least.