Member: JoannaON
CollectionsNon-fiction (317), Fiction (195), Your library (537), All collections (587)
ReviewsNone
TagsHorses (6), horsemanship (6), design (5), Fantasy (4), Design (3), Drama (2), Humour (2), history (2), Craft (2), plays (2) — see all tags
Cloudstag cloud, author cloud, tag mirror
Groups50-Something Library Thingers, Hobnob with Authors, The Green Dragon
Favorite authorsFannie Flagg, Laurie Graham, Nicholas Stuart Gray, K.M. Peyton (Shared favorites)
About meI was born in 1955. I'm married to one engineer and mother to two more, one part way through a doctorate (zapping cancer cells) and one graduated and working.
I was a full time mother in so far as getting paid for anything goes, but as soon as the younger one started school I shot off to college one day a week and studied stitched textiles. This led to exhibiting, speaking, contributing to magazines and quilt judging.
And I was horse-mad from the age of seven, although I've never had my own. I groomed, taught, exercised polo ponies, jumped sidesaddle, and even had a brief taste of in-hand pair driving. Then in 2006 I discovered Kelly Marks' Intelligent Horsemanship organisation (google "intelligent horsemanship") and in January 2010 I became one of her Recommended Associates, working with horses' behavioural problems and teaching owners how to improve their relationships with their horses. Great stuff.
And the writing... After decades of destroying the fiction I wrote, I belatedly realised that constructing a novel is like painting a picture - you don't start at the top left and paint your way down to the bottom right, but you underpaint first, then block in major shapes and add layers of detail, adjusting as you go. With that vital piece of information absorbed, I now have three novels published and am currently writing my fourth, which takes me in a new direction...
About my libraryNot complete, of course. For a start, my sister and I split our childhood collection many years ago, and anyway I don't have the space to keep everything. Some years ago an Oxfam van took away several boxes of books I knew (ha!) I'd never read again, and do I regret some of them? Of course I do. Oh well. Not as bad as the Stilton pots...
From our first Christmas together, I bought my husband a nice ceramic pot of Stilton every year. I had cloudy notions of displaying a vast collection when I was eighty. Then one day I started drawing them together and realised there were several missing. That blew that idea out of the water, so I selected the best three and wrapped the rest up in newspaper and took them to the Oxfam shop.
The next day I suddenly "saw" one acting as a receptacle of brown coins. Oh! Then there was the one with the parslay pot in it, and another full of paperclips in the study. Well! (I still buy him a Christmas pot, but the sparkle has gone out of it now.)
Ah, having looked at some other profiles I see it is acceptable to add virtual books - books borrowed or lost. I'll expand from memory, then.
I was pretty ruthless with the star rating. It was hard to be consistent, so I walloped through acting on impulse. In any case, the ratings represent how I feel about the books rather than my objective assessment of them.
Homepagehttp://www.joanna-oneill.com
Also onFacebook
Real nameJoanna O'Neill
LocationBerkshire, England
Account typepublic, lifetime
URLs
http://www.librarything.com/profile/JoannaON (profile)
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/JoannaON (library)
Member sinceOct 16, 2009
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Are you looking in the same area for a new home? I'm so afraid to move, which may be inevitable for us. I am afraid we wo t be able to find a place that will accept our pets. Down to 6 dogs and 3 cats. Only 2 puppies remain of the 9 and we had to put our lovely Chinese Crested down, as she had congestive heart failure. She was quite old anyway, 16 or 17 yrs.old. But sad for us nonetheless.
posted by mmignano11 at 3:36 pm (EST) on Feb 4, 2012
posted by mmignano11 at 4:06 pm (EST) on Jan 28, 2012
posted by mmignano11 at 4:04 pm (EST) on Jan 28, 2012
Thanks for letting me know about the book. I saw you mention it on Facebook and plan on ordering it right after Christmas (maybe I'll get an Amazon gift card *fingers crossed!* Really looking forward to reading it :)
posted by katylit at 8:27 am (EST) on Dec 9, 2011
posted by mmignano11 at 5:47 pm (EST) on Jun 30, 2011
posted by mmignano11 at 6:51 pm (EST) on Jun 22, 2011
posted by mmignano11 at 4:11 pm (EST) on Feb 4, 2011
posted by mmignano11 at 4:20 pm (EST) on Jan 20, 2011
Thanks for letting me know about your new book. As soon as I can get my hands on it I will and I will let you know when to look for my review on it which I will try to post in some visible places for you so we can get some folks picking up your book. I sure did enjoy A World Invisible and I think of you every time I come across it on my bookshelf. I hope this year is wonderful for you. I have begun to write a long-anticipated book involving Long Beach Island and the atmosphere it provides for a ghostly historical event and the family trying to understand its otherworldly implications!Im using one of those write your novel in thirty days books for the inspiration and guidance. I find it helps to have a schedule to follow and some organizational means. It has definitely helped me to create characters that I was stumped on over the last year. Anyway, best of everything to you. Are you working on your next book already or taking a break? Maybe trying something different this year? Mary Beth
posted by mmignano11 at 1:47 pm (EST) on Jan 14, 2011
posted by katylit at 4:08 pm (EST) on Jan 6, 2011
I read the back cover and the prologue, and it sounds as interesting as your first book. :-}
posted by Boobalack at 10:18 pm (EST) on Dec 29, 2010
posted by MerryMary at 8:53 pm (EST) on Dec 14, 2010
Hugs.
Lettie
posted by Boobalack at 2:33 pm (EST) on Dec 14, 2010
Katherine
posted by katylit at 7:58 am (EST) on Dec 14, 2010
Theo
posted by TheoClarke at 7:03 am (EST) on Dec 14, 2010
posted by MarthaJeanne at 6:53 am (EST) on Jul 3, 2010
No, I'm afraid I'm the dim one - I reviewed it everywhere but the book page on LT! I've fixed that mistake, so it shows my review and the stars. My apoloogies for the mistake!
Anne
posted by anneb10 at 7:48 pm (EST) on May 2, 2010
I have finished the book - and I truly enjoyed it! I hope we see a sequel someday. I have posted my review here on LibraryThing, and also at Amazon. I would have done Borders as well, but you're not up over there, sadly.
Again, great book, and I look forward to reading more from you.
Anne
posted by anneb10 at 8:01 pm (EST) on Apr 29, 2010
posted by Boobalack at 4:27 pm (EST) on Apr 28, 2010
I just wanted to let you know the book arrived safe and sound, and that I'm getting started on it this evening.
Thanks again,
Anne
posted by anneb10 at 8:38 pm (EST) on Apr 25, 2010
I'm so glad you're writing a sequel. Be sure to let us know when it's published. I need to know what happens, next. I have some ideas of my own, and it'll be interesting to see if they're anywhere near yours.
Okay, now, get back to your writing! ;-)
Lettie
posted by Boobalack at 6:05 pm (EST) on Apr 25, 2010
Here's looking forward to another Joanna O'Neill book!
Lettie
posted by Boobalack at 12:29 am (EST) on Apr 25, 2010
I just spent some time there, and the photos were wonderful. Here's another coincidence for you. The son-in-law I mentioned previously is Brian Patrick O'Connor. How's that? He'd make a perfect Michael if he were a little older or a believable Connor, even though he's no longer a teen.
I need to go back and spend some time on your site in order to take it all in.
Do you believe in unicorns?
Later.
Lettie
posted by Boobalack at 4:46 pm (EST) on Apr 24, 2010
In addition to all the other coincidences, my late mother-in-law was named Maud(ie).
Cheers!
Lettie
posted by Boobalack at 8:43 pm (EST) on Apr 23, 2010
Thanks,
Jo
posted by jrider04 at 6:05 pm (EST) on Apr 22, 2010
Jaime
posted by rowmyboat at 7:59 pm (EST) on Apr 21, 2010
I saw your message about Amazon shipping the book. My eye is peeled, and I am really looking forward to receiving it.
posted by anneb10 at 8:36 pm (EST) on Apr 20, 2010
posted by anneb10 at 8:34 pm (EST) on Apr 20, 2010
Thanks,
Jo
posted by jrider04 at 3:20 pm (EST) on Apr 20, 2010
I'm excited to receive and read your book, and will be sure to review it.
Jaime
posted by rowmyboat at 9:35 am (EST) on Apr 20, 2010
Thanks!
posted by jrider04 at 3:41 pm (EST) on Apr 19, 2010
posted by Boobalack at 4:55 pm (EST) on Apr 14, 2010
posted by Boobalack at 10:47 pm (EST) on Apr 8, 2010
As for 19th century novels, I have to be in the right mood to read it, and the right mind set. I read The Wardon by Trollope, and haven't actually started The Eustace Diamonds yet, though I plan to.
posted by PensiveCat at 9:59 am (EST) on Mar 31, 2010
posted by TheoClarke at 3:57 pm (EST) on Mar 30, 2010
I saw your post on TPBM thread and decided to see what book you had written. I have now put A World Invisible on my amazon.com wish list and will order it before long. It sounds very interesting.
Cheers!
Lettie
posted by Boobalack at 4:05 pm (EST) on Mar 26, 2010
Jennifer
posted by JenSay at 3:25 pm (EST) on Mar 22, 2010
I want to thank you for recommending the Pitt-Rivers museum in Oxford. Fascinating! I especially liked the cabinet of genuine shrunken heads. This was my first time exploring Oxford. Great museums and great bookshops too.
Kind regards
Darrow (Green Dragon)
posted by darrow at 10:42 am (EST) on Mar 14, 2010
Thank you! I was so surprised to find someone else who owned a Rosamund Owen that I looked further... I am a lifelong horsewoman (lessons from age 6), although financial considerations have made that something on the back burner for the last several years (mortgage, you know. And not on horse property, either - a house in the city). When I was little, most American kids seemed to be fascinated by cowboys, but me? I yearned for Old Blighty and absolutely consumed every available British horse book I could lay my hands on. I think I can probably quote whole sections of _Fly-by-Night_ from memory.
The Mrs. Hayes book was a gift to me many years ago by a wonderful friend. There is a large bookstore in the city (www.powells.com) and she went regularly and mined the horsemanship section. This was long before inventories were online, so you can imagine what a treasure that was!
If you don't have _Riding and Driving for Women_ by Belle Beach (US), be advised that it was reprinted last year, and the new edition is quite nice and not very expensive. This was the book that lead me to riding aside back when it was *extremely* unfashionable to be interested in such a thing (1969).
Best regards to you, and I'll check in on the library from time to time,
Meagn (Whose favorite _Ponies Plot_ pony was Prune.)
posted by TudorLady at 7:30 pm (EST) on Jan 21, 2010
posted by Booksloth at 6:24 am (EST) on Dec 24, 2009
posted by Booksloth at 3:18 pm (EST) on Dec 13, 2009
posted by HannaRose at 9:34 pm (EST) on Nov 2, 2009
I agree, talking about books is probably the BEST way to market them. I would say that only about 20% of the books I've read are because of good marketing. If the synopsis appeals to me (and I have the money) I'll buy it, but I mostly borrow books or get them at garage sales or secondhand stores-which means that the marketing team that I'm sure worked very hard to get the book to young readers like myself get zero/zilch/zippo for their efforts. Aww, poor, poor marketing department!
I don't think I have read those books. I have heard them mentioned though. Have you read a book, I believe it's called something along the lines of "One of Those Awful Books Where the Mother Dies"? I'm not exactly sure why, but I was reminded of that book whilst reading your comment.
From what I have read of Invisible, I like it. It reminds me quite a bit of a book called "The Secret of Lost Things" (which I highly recommend), the author of which I cannot recall for the life of me. Honestly, I could go and get the book from my room and check the author's name, but that would require me passing my warm, comfy bed, and in the caffiene-deprived state I'm in, with way too many emails to read, that would not be wise, as I would probably not wake for several days.
My sister, who happens to be a year older, would definately like your book (and Deedre' is a harsh critic, trust me). I'll recommend it to her, but it could be months before she gets close to reading it- she's got stacks of books that "HAVE TO BE READ YESTERDAY!!!" to loosely quote her. I think Invisible is well written, and definately worth the agony of downloading it, really getting into it, and then realizing with dismay and frustration that the book you just started and really liked has only provided the prologue and first chapter, which means I have to get off my butt, order it from Barnes and Noble, wait (FOREVER! they are so slooooow, urgh!), and then somehow con my mother into loaning me money to buy it. Was that a long sentence? Like I mentioned, I'm way to caffiene-deprived to be replying to emails or comments. I swear, when I'm tired my emails are worse than drunk dialers phone calls.
Anyway! I'm off to bed (finally). Have an awesome day. (Oh! And I forgot to mention in the last comment that I think all the work you do with horses is pretty cool.)
Peace!
HannaRose
posted by HannaRose at 6:52 am (EST) on Nov 2, 2009
Thanks for the nice comment! I've visited your website (very nice by the way) and have saved A World Invisible to my computer so I can read it. No worries-eBook's are all fine, I've read a few on the comnputer before. Although I must admit I am a bit slow to acknowledge their real worth: in my mind, books on the computer are just not the same as books on paper. Haha, some child of the technological revolution I am! Either way, on screen or paper, I get to read the book, which is all that matters :)
Thanks a ton!
Hanna
posted by HannaRose at 7:11 pm (EST) on Nov 1, 2009
posted by Lil_Shepherd at 12:52 pm (EST) on Nov 1, 2009
Hi! My name is HannaRose. I saw that you were putting up several copies of your book, "A World Invisible" in the MemberGiveaways section. I requested it, and wanted to let you know that I would really appriciate a copy to read and review! The book sounds right up my alley. While I read about 70% YA, I find that lately I've been enjoying books that are a bit of a cross between YA and Adult novels-like what Invisible sounds like. I wouldn't usually be so forward in contacting an author asking for a copy of their book, but it sounds really good and my library card is locked (I left an expensive book on an airplane last summer and can't pay to replace it and unlock my card, oops!). Anyway, thanks for reading this rambling comment, haha.
Peace!
HannaRose
posted by HannaRose at 2:18 am (EST) on Oct 31, 2009
To me there are different levels of YA lit. Well, there should be. Some 12 year olds are reading the Lord of the Rings and some can't get past the first page of Twilight. And If you look at the Twilight craze....it has nothing at all to do with their ages; It's the characters themselves. Edward is supposedly a senior in high school yet there are 10 and 11 year olds reading those books.
The only thing that would seem non YA about 'A World Invisible' is the setting. Dealing with museums and art is a little over the head of most kids. Again though, some kids that are at that level are going to love it.
Cathy
posted by MDLady at 11:31 am (EST) on Oct 29, 2009
posted by JeanLittleLibrary at 11:41 am (EST) on Oct 21, 2009
I've been rec-ing it to people who like psychic treasurehunty type of stuff. :)
(I'm fully willing to spread the word if authors aren't spammy and their books deserve it.)
Random: Have you not read The Sword and the Crown yet, or should it just be a virtual book in your library?
posted by infiniteletters at 9:02 am (EST) on Oct 21, 2009
When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by
dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing,
then we truly live life.
- Greg Anderson
Children love to be alone, because alone is where they know
themselves, and where they dream
- Roger Rosenblatt
posted by theoldman at 6:20 am (EST) on Oct 21, 2009