Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jo Loveday. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jo, thanks for joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?

As a registered nurse, the most relevant experiences I had came from my years working in ICU. A nurse’s job is to be the patient’s advocate. In intensive care I was afforded the opportunity to learn everything about my patient’s physical and mental health. This parlayed into not only keeping them alive minute to minute at times, but also anticipating communication and mental health needs when they were unable to speak for themselves. I learned a lot about watching for the slightest change in every system of a person’s physical being and sharpened my radar for upcoming problems. The absolute need required by my ICU patients ramped up the level of compassion I had to figure out and resolve that was needed by them as well as their loved ones. In our world of virtual experiences, it’s a challenge to be able to see skin color change or breathing that quickens, but if we approach our virtual conversations with the intent of being observant and compassionate, we can anticipate what our friends, family or clients needs are and be more effective. If we can think of ourselves as the advocate for the cranky old aunt at the holiday dinner table or an unhappy client, we can better help them with their uncommunicated needs.

Jo, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I write action-packed thrillers that strive to keep you up way past your bedtime, with just enough romance to make things interesting. The focus of my writing began with my deep caring for people. I began writing to share unusual circumstances I come across that I feel people need to know about. Storytelling is a great way to do that. People can clamp onto an idea or reject it as just part of a story. Ethical dilemmas in medicine and mental health challenges are some of the topics I approach. I’m proud of the compassion and medical know-how I bring to my novels, giving an authentic peek into the human condition. I hope my storytelling opens hearts and minds for a long time after the last page has been turned.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

One of the things I fell society can do to support writers is to frequent bookstores, especially independently owned ones. Bookstores host dozens of events that double as mixers for the neighborhood. From children’s parties to book clubs to author events, they feature popular topics that blend with their community. Bookstores are never just stores. Every volume in the shop is handpicked based on the likes and dislikes of local residents. These indie bookstores, put their time and money back into the community, they’re a multiplier for foot traffic to other shops in the area, supporting jobs, local taxes, and businesses. Bookstores signal the values, intelligence, and ideas of people in the community in a safe, almost always cozy atmosphere.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of my writing has come from readers who say: “The way I look at things has changed because of your book.” or “I gave your story to a friend, and it really helped them.” When people tell me they stayed up late to keep reading, it warms my heart.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://joloveday.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jolovedayb/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558518271734
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joloveday/
• Twitter: https://x.com/JoLoveday
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqPrFLdR5a6sb5Dn1-aa91A?app=desktop

Image Credits

Photo credit: Jeff Butcher