Wednesday, October 5, 2011

5 Easy Questions with Joanne DeMaio!

Every Wednesday, I ask a writer the same five easy questions. In an effort to support and promote fellow wordsmiths, I feature authors who write a variety of genres, from sweet inspirational to mainstream thrillers. The writers themselves may be aspiring, published, or  best-selling--all have made an impact on my life.

Thank you for joining me in welcoming… Joanne DeMaio!

I've been following Joanne's magnificent blog, Whole Latte Life, for years. Every time I read it, I feel refreshed and relaxed. Joanne is such a smart and talented writer--she shares interviews with fascinating musicians, and she makes me think about my writing in a different way. I'm thrilled to have her as my guest today!


Let's get to it...


1. Beverage of choice?

I’m all about living a whole latte life, so it’s no secret coffee is my drink. Steaming hot, in one of my favorite mugs. I value what it represents … good conversation and our bonds with others. Because coffee often forms the connection with a friend, a daughter. So I love coffee, even more so because of everything that comes with it.

2. Any pets?

Our little cat spent five long months in the Humane Society before we happened by and brought her home, indulging her with lots of treats and toys sinceShe’s a real talker, cooing and chattering all the time. If she could write, I think she might have a book in her. :) 

3. Dream vacation?

I’m lucky enough to take my dream vacation every year at a little beach on Long Island Sound, nestled in the crook of the Connecticut coast. With its sandy boardwalk, whispering lagoon grasses and sweet salt air, it’s a place of peace and beauty, and has been a backdrop to much of my life.

4. What are you listening to right now?
Last weekend, my family and I saw Roger Daltrey perform The Who’s entire Tommy rock opera. Really, as a writer I love finding stories in different forms around me, and the mingling of story and song that night was fascinating.

5. What's for dinner?
Chicken cutlets with roasted sweet peppers, mashed potatoes and zucchini. Bon Appetit!

***
Joanne, I feel the same about coffee and hot beverages in general. I start every morning with coffee, and every time my parents visit, we bond over steaming mugs of tea. Your kitty definitely has a story in her. What a blessing to rescue such a talkative gal!

My fantasy vacations usually take place on a beach so your description of Long Island Sound made me sigh. How nice it would be to head over there right now. And what a treat to attend the Roger Daltrey concert. We went to the University of Michigan's football game last week, and the energy of the crowd spills over, infects you with zest, much like a concert. By the way, I'm coming over for dinner. Yum, yum! Thanks so much for being my guest today!
***

Joanne DeMaio is a Connecticut writer blending family, coffee and friendship on the page. Her music essays have appeared in literary journals, celebrating her passion for song, in print.  She is also the founder of the inspirational blog Whole Latte Life.  Grab a coffee and stop by for a visit at joannedemaio.blogspot.com. To learn more about her writing, visit her website at joannedemaio.com.

Heard any good songs lately? Care to recommend one?

Enjoy your Wednesday!

46 comments:

  1. Hi Jill, thanks so much for having me here today. It's so nice to have friends along this writing journey who have been with us from the get-go. I'm looking forward to chatting here today, with a coffee of course :)

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  2. What an inspirational way to look at coffee. It's true, when my sister and I get together, we always brew up a pot of coffee first thing, and it's the act of sharing the drink that is more important than the caffeine itself (although that's nice too). Lately we've been Skyping, and even then we each usually make sure to have a hot drink in hand when we sit down at the computer!

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  3. Great interview. I also have a talkative cat who I rescued from the shelter. I'll bet those kitties sit around and tell their adventures will they're in "lock-up."

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  4. I get to brag for a moment, I met the famous Joanne a few days ago at the PO. How honored am I?! And she was truly down to earth and kind! I'm rooting for her in this industry.

    I'm going to walk around saying "whispering lagoon grasses" all day, it sounds so nice to say.

    Another stellar interview! Go Joanne!
    ~ Wendy

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  5. So nice to meet you, Joanne! I'll take one of those lattes if you have one to spare. :) I loved this interview...Your beautiful writing voice shines in your answers.

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  6. Awwww, your cat sounds just like mine! She won't stop talking. lol No good songs to recommend, only because I don't know their names. :-) Thanks for the interview, ladies!

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  7. E Louise - Coffee always has that special magic, doesn't it?

    Mary - Oh those kitties ... If they could talk, the stories from confinement they'd tell!

    Wendy - Wendy, I knew it was you the second you said Hello, what a pleasant surprise! Thank you so much for your support, and know I'm wishing the very same for you. P.S. I hope you get down to the CT shore, even for a daytrip, and get to see and enjoy some of those whispering lagoon grasses.

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  8. Sarah - There's always a latte to spare for a new friend :)

    Jessica - Cats rule ...

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  9. So fun to meet you Joanne - and my mouth is officially watering. That dinner sounds amazing!

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  10. Fantastic questions and answers! I'm so jealous of the kitty that talks. I'd love to have one of those.

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  11. Joanne, it's always nice to get to know your fellow bloggers a little better. I really enjoyed your answers.

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  12. Good morning!

    Joanne: Thanks for being here today! And say "hi" to kitty for me. I love cats and I miss having one. Our mini-weenie dog is very cuddly, though!

    ELouise: I love the idea of Skyping with my sister. Neither of us has up-to-date computers, though, so we're still talking via phone. :)

    Mary: Ha! I'll bet they do too. Cats are so funny!

    Wendy: Ooo, jealous! I would have loved to grab a latte with you both. How cool that you got to meet each other, though!

    Sarah: I agree--Joanne's voice is hypnotizing!

    Jessica N: You have a talker, too, huh? Our kitty was quiet except when we opened a can of tuna... :)

    Katie: I know. I think my stomach just growled and it's only 9:30AM!

    Talli: Me too! I really miss my kitty, even though she wasn't a talker. They're so soft and lovable!

    Savanah: So glad you came over--I enjoyed Joanne's answers too!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  13. I felt like I was on vacation with you for a minute! Excellent answers. Another great interview, Jill!

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  14. That was a great interview! Your dream vacation sounds quite dreamy :)

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  15. Great post! Coffee, beaches, kitties, and music ... it sure is fun to be Joanne's daughter! I'm lucky to have such an awesome Mom :)

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  16. Hi Jill and Joanne .. I honestly don't need to say any more than Mary said .. I'm just not Joanne's daughter ... but am close blogging with friends with both! I too rather fancy your board walk beach with its whispering grasses .. I might wander by one day! Cheers great coffee break .. Hilary

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  17. Enjoyed the interview. I visit Joanne's blog regularly. No special song to recommend, but I love the oldies.

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  18. I NEED vacations or at least mini ones to a beach! Anywhere away to recharge is what I'm talking about! :O)

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  19. Hi, Joanne! I love tea and kitties. :)

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  20. Dinner sounds delicious. May I come over??? :)

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  21. Joanne, so nice to learn more about you from another angle. I too have learned to love the ocean, the scent and sounds as we travel. You are an amazing writer! How fun Jill has guests!

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  22. Jessica P: Joanne's vacay description is like a mini-break, isn't it? :)

    J.A: Welcome, and I agree. Joanne's dream vacation sounds superb!

    Mary: Aw, love that you came over! I'd say you and your mom are both ladies I'd love to share a cup of latte with!

    Hilary: Ha! Ha! Well said--I feel the same!

    Janet: Isn't her blog fabulous? Love it!

    Diane: I do too. Like right now. :)

    Erica: Me too!

    Susan M: We all should head to Joanne's for dinner!

    JeMa: Welcome! Travel gives writers so many lovely sensory details to keep in our memory banks. :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  23. Hi, Joanne. I'm a cat person, too. In fact one of our fellows has decided fall is here and that it's now cool enough to share my writing chair again. Trouble is he wants more than his share, and I end up perched on the edge as I am now. Ah, what we cat owners, er, make that staffers, do for our feline friends. =)

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  24. Katie - Thanks, it's one of my family's favorite dinners.

    Talli - I'm surprised you don't have a cat keeping you company with your writing!

    Savannah - Thanks for stopping by here today ...

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  25. Jessica - I feel the same. Just thinking about that little beach is a vacation :)

    J.A. - It is a very special place ...

    Mary - Love you!

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  26. Hilary - Those good things in life make our days, don't they? I'll bet you'd love strolling this little beach I go to!

    Janet - I love them too, they're lots of fun.

    Diane - That's what it's all about, isn't it, that recharging our souls.

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  27. Erica - I'm a tea drinker in the colder months, I like a cup of green tea in the evenings.

    Susan - That's the beauty of virtual meals, there's room enough for many ... Welcome :)

    JeMA - I hope your journey is going well. There's no place like the sea, that's for sure.

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  28. Hi Joanne and Jill!!!!! Oh yeah, that's what coffee represents to me too and very cool that you have those memories on the coast!

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  29. Joanne, I really enjoyed this little glimpse into your life. I am so happy that I came across your blog last year:)

    Amy and I enjoy a good mother daughter cup of hot chocolate together, and we'll start indulging ourselves more often now that the weather is turner colder. Some day, when she is all grown up, I can see us sharing a good cup of coffee together. I can't wait:)

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  30. Awesome interview! Have to say I'm with Mary on this one - I'm lucky to have a great Mom! Cheers! :)

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  31. Keli: My kitty was definitely the boss. I was pushed to the edge of the chair many a time! Funny!

    Christina: Welcome! I love coffee and the way Joanne described it!

    Valerie: Welcome! What a lovely ritual to share with your daughter. I'm sure it will evolve just as you said!

    Jen: Welcome! Let's hear it for great moms!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  32. Wonderful! It's the same form me in regards to coffee.

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  33. Hi Jill and Joanne! Loved the post today! You have a beautiful and inspiring blog Jill and I'm so glad I was able to come by for a visit today. You asked if I had heard any good songs lately? Actually I did, a friend just gave me a copy of Bread's very first album. I really enjoyed it, the lyrics were very interesting and it was fun to see them trying out a variety of different guitar styles. My favorite musician of all times is Dan Fogelberg. I love his music. As I told Joanne once, his songs have been like the soundtrack of my life, always playing in the background. I hope you both have a lovely evening ahead! Delisa :)

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  34. Woot woot to a fellow coffee lover! I also love your favorite vacation...sounds so peaceful and relaxing!

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  35. Keli - lol. I hope your kitty scoots over a little and gives you room to write!

    Christina - Coffee's a beautiful thing, isn't it?

    Valerie - Wishing you and your daughter many comforting cups of hot chocolate this fall :)

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  36. Jen - A toast to awesome daughters ... Love you too!

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  37. Southpaw - We've got an amazing coffee club going on here at Jill's :)

    Delisa - I totally get Fogelberg providing the soundtrack to your life. Music is so tied in to mine too, always there in some way ...

    Joanne - I'll add my woot-woot to the cheer :)

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  38. What lovely and inspiring thoughts about coffee.

    Joanne, your blog is always an inspiring read and your interview here is delightful.

    Just goes to prove, you can't keep an inspiring woman/writer down.

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  39. I too love Joanne's "Whole Latte Life." Her writing is intelligent and she is able to touch a cord and weave a thread through all of us. Thanks for a great interview.

    Cheers!
    Julie
    Julie Magers Soulen Photography

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  40. Southpaw: Me too!

    Delisa: Bread, huh? I'm setting a Pandora station to it to try it out--thanks!

    Joanne: *clinks mug* Cheers!

    Cheryl: Love that--you can't keep an inspiring writer down. Nice!

    Julie: I feel the same. Joanne's blog always refreshes me. :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  41. Great questions! Joanne, your Connecticut holiday sounds wonderful!

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  42. How nice to meet you! I lived in New England for many years. It's a beautiful place.

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  43. Cheryl - Thanks, I could write a book about coffee inspiration.

    Julie - Thanks, I appreciate your kind thoughts.

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  44. Beth - I know you love to travel, and hope some day you'll try the Connecticut shore :)

    Susan - Nice to meet you too! I've lived in New England all my life, and love it here ...

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  45. Jill - Thanks so much for having me here! I had a great time and loved talking coffee and writing with everyone ... Cheers to blog friends :)

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  46. Joanne, it's great to get to know you more here. I'm missing my coffees of late -- trying to cut back. But I'd brew a pot of pumpkin spice tea to share with you!

    Long Island sounds wonderful! And one of my cats is very vocal, too, the other is just major lovey dovey.

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