Who's That Girl? interview with Rachel Johns

Today let's meet RWAussie member, Rachel! Johns.
(Yes, the exclamation mark is supposed to be there, explanation below! :-D)

Name? Rachael Johns, although I’m more commonly known as Rach! The exclamation mark has been with me for a while and quite a few people say that’s what they know me for.

Where are you? I live in Goomalling in rural Western Australia. It’s a town of 500 people but we’re only an hour and a half from Perth, so I have the benefits of living in the country while being near to city friends and shops.

How many years have you been a member of Romance Writers of Australia? Just over five years I think. I became a member when I decided to write a Mills and Boon and learned about Romance Writers of Australia while researching how to go about this.

What genre/s do you write? I’ve been focusing on short contemporary romances but am also dappling in contemporary ST. I like writing about people with quirky jobs and am venturing more into writing about small towns as well.

Doubt Demon - every writer has one!

Who are your favourite authors? Ooh... how long have you got?

In terms of category – I’m scared to name them all. Most of my fave category writers are Aussies but outside of that, there’s Heidi Rice, Liz Fielding and Anne McAllister.

In terms of ST, I can’t get enough of Lisa Jewell, Jenny Crusie and Dorothy Koomson.

What inspired you to write romance? Breaking up with my first love. Although I didn’t recognise what I was writing as romance for a fair few years after that. 

Who's your dream agent and/or dream publisher? My dream publisher in ST (single title) is Penguin or any of the big Aussie pubs.

And in terms of category, I’m quite happy where I am at Carina Press at the moment. I’d love to write some more for them.

What's the best thing about going to conference? Socialising with my best writing buddies and meeting even more.

Minxy Meercat from the Minxes of Romance

And lastly, finish these statements...
My greatest strength as a writer is...beginnings. Contest success so far shows this but I really need to work on conflict and continuing the pace and thrill the whole way through to the end. 
A sexy hero needs...to have a wicked sense of humour and be besotted with the heroine. Oh and sexy arms don’t go astray. I’m an Arm Girl from WAY back! 
My latest WIP (work in progress) is about...a sexy farmer who was jilted at the altar.
When I write I like to...wear my pjs and drink Diet Coke (I know, I know, I’m asking for lectures).
My best writing milestone to date is...getting the email from Angela James on April Fools Day telling me Carina Press wanted to buy my book.

You can find more about Rachel on her blog or find her on Facebook.