I knew from the age of 8 that I wanted to be a writer. I probably should have known I would eventually get into romance writing since my first attempt to get published was the sadly rejected, scintillating short story “Drunkenness Cost Me My Womanhood,” which I sent off to romance-type magazines when I was a teenager.
I had been a TV writer for several years when I married, but I could not make myself give up the “Armor” name and replace it with my husband’s. My writing credits mattered to me. So I simply added his name onto the end of mine (no hyphenate). When we got divorced, I just dumped his name off the end of mine. Voilá. Back to Joyce Armor with no appendages.
In the last several decades, I have written for television (“The Love Boat,” “WKRP in Cincinnati,” “Remington Steele”) and authored several books (Letters from a Pregnant Coward, The Dictionary According to Mommy, What You Don’t Know About Having Babies) in addition to those appearing on this website.
My children’s poetry has appeared in numerous anthologies and even on YouTube (thanks fellas!), and my books have been quoted in national magazines and on television. I’ve also written hundreds of newspaper and magazine columns and articles as well as several produced plays.
My parenting column, which appeared in various tabloid-style parenting magazines across the country, won a national Publishing Excellence Award from The Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, and I also earned recognition from The Writers Foundation for a screenplay, “Devoted to You.”
After living in six different states over the years, I returned to my Ohio roots in 2012, where I shoveled snow with a cookie sheet that first year, but I’ve managed to buy a snow shovel since then and don’t embarrass my sister anymore. Much. The mother of two grown sons, I live in Concord with my soulmate, Darby, my dog. I spend much of my non-reading, non-writing time hanging out with family or friends or walking/running/getting dragged by Darby.
Why Now?
I have written thousands of published and produced things over the years—books, plays, TV scripts, children’s poetry, newspaper and magazine articles, SEO work, etc. And I’ve rarely written something without learning more about writing. Now it’s time to share some of my hard-earned tips and tricks on writing, as my way to give back to the community.
Writing is not one size fits all. What works for me might make you want to yack. But I hope you’ll think about what I’m offering and use what you find of value. I did make a living for several decades writing in a number of genres, so I must know something. My gift is writing, and this is what I’ll leave behind when I’m gone. It’s my legacy.
Do You Represent a Community Theatre?
To my way of thinking, community theaters are an invaluable slice of Americana. I would rather watch a community theater production with dubious props and other mishaps than a renowned production on Broadway. Several of my plays have been presented in community theaters, and I know the hard work, by numerous people, that goes into each production without the resources of major production companies.
For these reasons, I offer my plays to community theaters for free—no licensing or other fees. You do need to make your own copies, however. Just check out the list of plays and email me for your preference. I also ask that you let me know where and when the play will be presented.
My books
I believe everyone has at least one book inside of him (or her). I, apparently, am one of those beleaguered souls who has numerous books inside her. I’ve gone the traditional route and had a number of books and poems published. It can be a grueling process. Sometimes your original work gets better through the ordeal, and sometimes it loses something.
I don’t want my voice to be like yours or anyone else’s, and you shouldn’t want your voice to sound like mine. You are uniquely you. If you speak with your voice, you should write in your own voice. That doesn’t mean you can’t learn how to be a better writer.
Recently, I decided I didn’t want to try and go through the traditional route of publishing anymore. This is, after all, the 21st century. So I rolled up my mental sleeves and wrote (or rewrote) and learned how to publish 10 e-books, mostly historical romances or novellas, but also a contemporary romance, a funny (just ask me) parenting book and a book of plays.