Dante Craddock Author
  • Home
  • About Dante
  • Dante's Books
  • Dante's News
    • Dante's Interviews
    • Dante's Social Media
  • Interviews by Dante
  • Interview Schedule

Interviews by Dante

Welcome to Interviews by Dante the home of Romance Author Interviews. Enjoy. If you're an author and wish to be interviewed by me then click the link below to send me an email and I'll get you on the list.
Interviews post on the 10th, and 20th of each month. As of June 1st 2015 Interviews by Dante is exclusively interviewing Romance Writers. 

Sign up Here

Vanessa Kings Interview

4/30/2015

0 Comments

 
Today's guest author on Interviews with Dante is Vanessa Kings. Enjoy learning a bit about this wonderful author.

Picture
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I was born on March 14th of 1985, in Rosario, Argentina. At the age of 10 I wrote my first fairy tale, I found writing comforting and distracting. After that day, I continued writing every time I felt the need of leaving realty behind.

Tell us about your latest book.
Chronicles of the Nocturnal Forest, is my first and latest published book. When I was about 12 years old I started putting some of my stories together and connecting them to create a novel. When I decided to really write my book, I translated them to English and added Melanie, who wasn't a character of the stories but it is the glue to connect them all.

The main inspiration I had was the books and movies of my childhood and the need to bring that kind of stories back. As I say on my blog and twitter, my main purpose is to bring the fantasy back, the old fashioned fairy-tale kind of fantasy.

What do you have coming out in the future?
I have two series that I am writing simultaneously. My main series is “Stories of the fairy of my dreams”, the first book, “Chronicles of the Nocturnal Forest”, was published on December, and it is the first of three. It takes place on a magical island called The Kingdom of Astebeth. The second book of the series, “The diary of Amanda”, is expected to be published on October of this year.

My secondary series, “The Dream Fairy’s Bed Time Stories”, is a collection of ten short stories, based on secondary characters of The Kingdom of Astebeth that didn’t have their own stories on the main three books. The first book, “The Princess of the Enchanted Forest”, is available on paperback now, and the e-book will be released on February 28th. The second short story will be published on May.

I am also planning to write a book called “Spells of the Dream Fairy” or something like that, I haven’t decided the name yet, it would be an anthology of poems.

What genre do you enjoy writing the most and why?
I write fantasy stories, mostly involving fairies, goblins, princesses, dragons and knights. I always say that I am trying to bring the old-fashioned fairy tale kind of books, that’s what I loved to read when I was a kid.

What I enjoy most about writing is leaving the real world for a little while; when I write I submerge into my fantasy world and everything else disappear for a moment. It is almost like reading, but writing gives the opportunity to live your own adventure and create your own characters.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
When I was a child I used to read a lot of fantasy stories, and always dreamt of experiencing one myself, just as my books' characters did. When I wrote my first fairy tale at the age of 10, I felt like living the story I was writing, it was even better than reading. So, I continued writing, just to live all this stories that were inside of my mind.

What inspires me most is to know that there are still countless stories that I need to tell, I have to keep writing to make them real. I honestly don't know where they come from, some are inspired by books or movies of my childhood, but some are completely new.

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
No. All my characters are fictional and created on my mind from scratch.

What authors inspire your writing?
My favorite book of all times is "Alice in Wonderland", by Lewis Carrol. I read it about 30 times and never get bored of it. I always loved the lack of logic on the story, the crazy characters and their clever conversations.

A book that marked me forever, was "The never ending story", by Michael Ende. I always dreamt of being pulled into one of my books and be the hero of the story, I read it countless times with the hope of hearing the voice of the Childlike Empress calling for my help. It never happened, but it was the main influence to my writing.

What kind of books do you like to read?
I read mostly Fantasy and Romance but I like other genres like Sci-Fi and Mystery too.
Picture
Sixteen-year-old, Melanie, is living an ordinary, boring life when one night she is transported in her dreams to the Kingdom of Astebeth. Night after night, the fairy of her dreams will tell her the stories of the inhabitants of the Kingdom, its town, and the magical Nocturnal Forest nearby. A forest full of magical creatures where the impossible can happen. When Melanie starts dreaming about the Kingdom of Astebeth, at first she thinks it's just another recurring dream from the fantasy books she is used to reading, but as she goes deeper and deeper into the stories of the inhabitants of the Kingdom, she starts suspecting that she may be more than than just a witness of this magical story. Follow her on her incredible journeys that will take her to magical places and beyond Earth itself to discover the magical secret of the Nocturnal Forest in the first part of The Fairy of my Dreams trilogy.
Find it on amazon
find it on barnes & noble
find it on amazon uk
find it on indie bound
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I like to spend time with my son, read, watch tv and play video games (mmorpgs).

Is your book a stand alone or a series?
“Chronicles of the Nocturnal Forest” is the first book of a series of three. The second book’s title is “The diary of Amanda” and the third “Return to Astebeth”

What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
Main Characters:
Melanie: Jo Masterson
Shaylee (The fairy of my dreams): Scarlett Johansson
Sarah: Anne Hathaway
Thomas: Douglas Booth
Arthur: Taylor Lautner
Gabriel: Beau Mirchoff 
Nasha: Hellen Mirren
Young Lucy: Emma Stone
Old Lucy: Susan Sarandon
Anylith: Alexis Bledel
Enola: Margaret Cho
Cirrus: Kenneth Choi
Child Julia: Mia Hays
Young Julia: Carey Mulligan
Anne: Dianna Agron
Edward: Nicholas Hoult
Patrick: Ben Barnes

Have you joined any writer’s groups?
Yes, I am a part of various Goodreads and Facebook writers/authors group. The one I like more is “Authors” from facebook.

Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
The main character of “Chronicles of the Nocturnal Forest” is Melanie. She is sixteen and has a boring, regular life. She goes to school, doesn’t have any friends, is a victim of bullying and doesn’t have the best relationship with her parents. She often gets in trouble for drawing during class, and it’s very close of being expelled or transferred to a different school, which, along with her low grades, won’t help with her college applications. The only things that help her to get through all that are her books and her dreams. She loves to read fantasy stories and often dreams that she is a part of them. One night, on her dream, she sees herself sitting next to a fairy. The fairy starts telling her the story of Sarah and Thomas, two young inhabitants of Astebeth. Melanie starts dreaming of this magical Island almost every night, always hearing the stories that the fairy tells her. 

I like Melanie because she is strong. She has to deal with a lot of bad things, but she doesn’t lose her innocence and her dreams. She stands for what she believes, she knows what she wants and she will do anything to accomplish it. She is sweet and kind, but she won’t let anyone stand on her way and stop her. During the first book of the series she goes from a disoriented teenager to a very mature college freshman, her journey and adventures in Astebeth were a big part of her life and helped her during the hard path of becoming a woman.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I have a 17 months old son, I am a stay at home mom, without a nanny or a maid or any family close to me to help, so I don’t have the chance to make myself a writing routine, I just use whatever free time I can find, and I stay awake at night if its needed. Sometimes I dream or have ideas coming to my mind and I can’t sleep until I write them down, so when I am working on a book, I have a lot of sleepless nights. I am very grateful for always having coffee in my house.

I do plan the plot, I make a list of all the scenes I want to include and then I just write them down, when I finish I add details from the beginning and then start to fix and format the file.

With many publishing routes available today, which felt the most reliable to you when it came to the many choices? 
I wanted my story to be out and ready to be read now. Right now. I didn’t want to spend months or even years trying to find a publisher, having companies tell me that it wasn’t good enough for they to publish it. I love my book, I love my characters and my story, and I know there will be people that will love it too. So I decided to self-publish, to have my book out there for anyone that wants to read it as soon as it was finished. Maybe in the future I decide to find a publisher, but for now I am happy with the self-publishing process, I love to be the one that takes all the important decisions as cover, illustrations and if I keep the edition as the editor sent it or I want to go back to something I feel it fits better.
Find Vanessa on Facebook
find Vanessa on Twitter
Vanessa's amazon author page
find vanessa on pinterest
find vanessa on bloglovin
find vanessa on tsu
find vanessa on goodreads
0 Comments

M.C. Walker Interview

4/25/2015

0 Comments

 
Today's guest author on Interviews with Dante is M.C Walker. Enjoy learning a bit about this wonderful author.
Picture
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am M.C. Walker, a women’s fiction writer from the great city of Atlanta. I’ve been studying the craft of writing for ten years. Presently I’m gearing up for the release of my debut novel Before the Lights Go Out, out April 30, 2015. My year is off to a great start with a short story featured in the Bestselling anthology from Brown Girls Publishing titled The Dating Game.

Tell us about your latest book.
The Dating Game is a collaboration featuring myself and a few other talented female writers, aspiring and established. We have written some of the most hilarious, realistic and charming tales of finding love in the modern world. Between speed dating, blind dates, and believing in true love, readers will fall in with the characters and the writers. I promise…lol!!

What do you have coming out in the future?
I am so excited to be self publishing my debut novel Before The Lights Go Out through my own publishing company Walker Publications, LLC. It’s the chilling tale of one women’s journey of discovering the woman she left behind. It’s the story of the ultimate sacrifice, a test of faith and survival. Readers will not only cheer for the leading character, but find hope in the beginning of their own tomorrows.

What genre do you enjoy writing the most and why?
I enjoy writing women’s fiction because I like the evolution of hope and growth with the character. The stories linger in your soul long after the book is closed.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
I draw most of my inspiration from real women, like single mom who are the undercover superheros of our communities. I want to tell their stories because often they are the stories that go unheard and unnoticed. I am a champion for women and building fearless female leaders of tomorrow.

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Only on myself mostly and from random strangers.

What authors inspire your writing?
I love the writing of Eric Jerome Dickey and Maya Angelou. It’s poetic and the storyline wraps you up from the first pages and lives in your heart forever.

What kind of books do you like to read?
I love contemporary women’s fiction, erotica, romance, and suspense.

How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
My real life experiences have pushed me past my own obstacles and trials. There have been good and bad times, each time is more memorable than the last. I want people to feel like there’s hope at the end of any obstacle that life gets better…just never give up.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love being with my kids, enjoying a movie, or reading a book. Eventually all roads lead back to writing….always.

What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
Like most writers I enthusiastically submitted my first draft to a publishing company. I was eager and desperate for a book deal. Long after reality set in with rejection letters and life obstacles I knew I needed to make a decision. Either I would keep pursing an agent and wait for the contract that led to a publishing deal or take my career and passion into my own hands. After pitching to an agent I realized my dream belonged in my hands and no one else’s….thus self publishing is the best option for me.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
For at least two years the title of my novel was “Perfectly Imperfect”. I loved it. On the night before my pitch I changed it. Something in my gut told me that the title didn’t reflect the essence of the novel. I followed my gut and the agent loved it!!

Is your book a stand alone or a series?
Stand alone.
Picture
find it on amazon
Do you read the genre you write for or do you prefer other genres?
I read different genres as well as my own. Other genres keep my mind sharp and my muse very happy.

What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
I love Anika Noni Rose. She is a small powerhouse whom has a strong presence when she enters a room.

Have you joined any writer’s groups?
I’m a part of the Atlanta Writers Club.

Have you won any awards for your writing?
Not as of yet. Fingers crossed.

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
I’m a seat of the pants type writer. The ideas flow easily. However, it leaves me unorganized and scratching my head at the end of the process. I love it and would not change it!!

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
I love creating the character. You can make them strong or weak. You can draw from real life and watch this person in your mind come to life on a page and it all starts with just a name and an idea.

Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
In my novel my main character has a daughter, Chloe. Chloe is only five. But, there is a beautiful essence in her untainted view of love and life. It gives you hope and makes you reflect on how life changes our perspectives as we get older.

Who or what are your inspirations/influences?
I draw most inspiration from strong women, not celebs. But, single moms who raise kids on their own or young women whom defeat the odds and make a difference in the community. In my opinion they are a true reflection of God’s grace and continued mercy on our lives. They are brave and courageous and I wish more women understood there power.

What is your preferred writing environment?
I prefer to write in the comfort of my bedroom, in my pj’s, at two in the morning while my house is silent.

How would you describe your writing style?
Hard question. I would definitely say there is vulnerability in my writing that makes it relatable to anyone. I love to be descriptive and draw out the emotional perspective of the characters. Each page leaves me breathless, sometimes I surprise myself.

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I prefer to go with the flow. Not every story needs an ending. I like readers to come to their own conclusion.

With many publishing routes available today, which felt the most reliable to you when it came to the many choices?
After studying the craft, reading the books, introducing myself as a writer, and etc. I realized it was time for me to either put up or shut up.  I knew self publishing would be a huge risk and expensive. But, the payoff would be worth the headache. For me failure is not an option. I’d rather fail trying than to never try and constantly dream of the life I wish I had created.

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
I’ve always known from childhood. My commitment grew the more I went in search of knowledge and understanding. Once I make up my mind about something I’m pretty stubborn about the results.
find M.C. walker on facebook
Find M.C. walker on facebook
find m.c. walker on instagram
m.c. walker's blog
m.c. walker on pinterest
0 Comments

Divya Jyoti Randev Interview

4/20/2015

0 Comments

 
Today's guest author on Interviews with Dante is Divya Jyoti Randev. Enjoy learning a bit about this wonderful author.
Picture
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am a teacher, fashion blogger and writer. I love to be creative, whether it is on paper or around the house. I also love being around animals.

Tell us about your latest book.
Of Love And Distance is my first novel. I started writing it in 2011 when my dog was paralysed (thankfully she recovered later) and I wanted something to divert my mind. The idea for the story actually came to me in a dream! I was writing off and on and decided to finish the book early this year.

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Oh absolutely! Many of the characters in the novel are based on people I know or have met.

What authors inspire your writing?
I am greatly inspired by P.G Wodehouse whose humour was subtle but always had me in splits. I love the writings of J. M. Coetzee. His language is simple, yet powerful.

What kind of books do you like to read?
I like fantasy and romance.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I am teaching journalism to graduate and post graduate students. I also try to make time for my fashion blog. I like to spend time with my apso, Chanel and try to catch up on my reading every night.
Picture
This is a story about an ordinary girl, Lisa, who is unintentionally kidnapped along with movie star Robert Brown for ransom. They develop a beautiful relationship during the ordeal. There is a great uncertainty about whether Robert and Lisa will get together after the monstrosity as they belong to different parts of the world
find it on amazon
How did you come up with the title of your book?
That did take a lot of time as every title that I had thought of was already taken. I thought about the two central characters, Robert and Lisa who felt great love for each other but insecurities and cultural differences kept them apart. Hence, the name Of Love And Distance.

Is your book a stand alone or a series?
It is a standalone novel. But you never know, I might write a sequel in the future!

Do you read the genre you write for or do you prefer other genres?
Yes, I love romance. Wuthering Heights is an absolute favourite!

What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
I am not sure about the heroine but Robert Pattinson would be great as Robert Brown!

Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
Since this is my first book, I can only talk about it. In 2011, it was difficult to find time with a full-time job that took around 12 hours of my day. I would write crazily for three days, when I got the inspiration and then stop for an entire month. Also, I knew what I wanted to write about, but I did not plan it through. I wrote a few pages at a time and built the plot page by page. Usually, an author will outline every chapter before the actual writing begins. That is a good practice as you know what to write in a chapter and also long your book will be.

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
As a kid, I loved writing my diary and also wrote some short stories. I knew I wanted to write a book some day!
find Divya on twitter
0 Comments

Jane Lynne Daniels Interview

4/15/2015

2 Comments

 
Today's guest author on Interviews with Dante is Jane Lynne Daniels. Enjoy learning a bit about this wonderful author.

Picture
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I write humorous contemporary romance, with paranormal elements. A native of the Pacific Northwest, I recently moved to Ohio with my husband and two highly opinionated miniature schnauzers. We’re still getting used to the change in weather!

Tell us about your latest book.
In Starts With a Kiss, Anya seizes the chance to erase a mistake that's haunted her for 10 years - causing a car accident that paralyzed her college boyfriend, Ryder, and disfigured Anya's face.

It's a second chance with her first love, and redemption at last. Everything will be better once the accident never happened, right? Not quite. After the do-over, Anya is no longer disfigured, but Ryder is still in a wheelchair. SO much worse.

Anya and Ryder are in for a wild ride, but at the end of it, they’ll find a love that spans their past, present and future.

Starts With a Kiss is the third book in the Love Rewritten series.

What genre do you enjoy writing the most and why?
Romance. I love a happily-ever-after (once I’ve put the characters through tremendous challenges and obstacles, of course) and firmly believe the path to love is never without humor.

What kind of books do you like to read?
Books that make me laugh, cry and root for the characters. Books that I keep reading long after I should have gone to sleep because I have to know what happens and am willing to be bleary-eyed the next day just to find out.

How did you come up with the title of your book?
Each book in the Love Rewritten series features ‘kiss’ prominently in the title – Be Careful What You Kiss For, K*ss Happens, and Starts With a Kiss. Kisses are a very important part of romance!

Is your book a stand alone or a series?
Starts With a Kiss is the third book in the Love Rewritten series, where the heroine of each story has the chance for one ‘do-over’ of a past life mistake. You don’t need to have read the others to read one, though I hope you will enjoy yourself so much, you will want to read them all.
Picture
find it on amazon
find it on barnes & noble
Do you read the genre you write for or do you prefer other genres?
I love reading in the romance genre, though I also enjoy reading women’s fiction, science fiction, biographies, and history.

Have you joined any writer’s groups?
I belong to the national Romance Writers of America (RWA) organization and two local chapters of RWA – one in Washington and one in Ohio.

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Writing the first draft. I’ve written several novels now, but blank pages intimidate me every time.

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Editing! I love editing. Once the words are on the pages, I can play.

What is your preferred writing environment?
Either at a table in a busy Starbucks or somewhere, anywhere at the beach. As long as I have my laptop, I’m good.

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
I knew I wanted to be a writer at the age of eight and I still have a children’s book my mother gave me – called Someday You’ll Write – on my bookshelf. I didn’t, however, devote serious time to writing until my children grew up and left for college.
Jane's website
find jane on twitter
find jane on facebook
2 Comments

Cathy Rafferty Interview

4/10/2015

0 Comments

 
Today's guest author on Interviews with Dante is Cathy Rafferty. Like me she is also a first time author, publishing her first book late last year. Enjoy learning a bit about this wonderful author.
Picture
Tell us about your latest book.
-I Am Not A Barbie is a self-help/relationships guide book. What I did with this book is adapt a writing style and tone that appeals to every reader. Meaning that it’s a quick and easy read. Every chapter starts with facts, followed by tips and advice, and ends with either a silly or funny personal story/anecdote or an interview. I wanted to make sure that my readers would reflect on their life situation and/or their happiness, that they would smile and laugh, maybe sometimes get a little emotional depending on what they are going through. Basically, I made sure that my book would touch women (even men) and bring them on a path to empowerment that will lead to happiness with themselves and others.

What do you have coming out in the future?
-A memoir. There are quite a few women who, after having read the first chapter in my book, are already asking me questions about my past relationship and how it was for me to go through the whole process of turning my life around from complete darkness to every day happiness. It was such a long, hurtful, and ever so challenging process to go from then and there to here and now.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
-I draw my inspirations from daily observations. From people around me. From conversations I have with friends. Simply from life, literally.

What authors inspire your writing?
-Jack Canfield, Eckhart Tolle, and Christine Comaford.

What kind of books do you like to read?
-Oh that’s an easy one! I am a compulsive reader. I read everything! Fiction, fantasy, YA, memoirs, biographies, self-help, and the list goes on..! I do not read anything gore though.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
-Read! I love nature so hiking and spending time in the woods is essential for me. I also make a it a point to spend most of my free time with my kids. I love it and they’re my priority! It brings me back to the core of my existence, to the reason I wake up every morning and work hard to do what I love.
Picture
Amazon paperback
find it on barnes & Noble
amazon kindle
What was your road to publishing like?  Tell us about it.
-I decide to self-publish through CreatSpace. The decision was easy, but the rest that came with it not so much. There was a lot of research and work involved in hiring freelancers for editing, proofreading, the cover design, the interior layout. Also getting the copyrights and ISBN numbers. It was not all too complicated, but definitely time consuming, and I felt like a tiny fish swimming in a gigantic ocean. Next time will be like a fish in a large pool, and hopefully after that it will be like a fish in its tank. I want to master what I do!

How did you come up with the title of your book?
-I created a contest using Facebooks Ads. In order to participate people had to sign up for my newsletter and then they had access to read a 25 pages preview of my book. The prize was an ipad. It was a great way to draw traffic to my website and to have a larger mailing list. 

The reason I chose I Am Not A Barbie is because of the contrast between Barbie and the everyday woman. I mention in my book how women, especially young girls, struggle with their physical appearance and their own acceptance because of the entertainment industry and what we are brought to believe to be the traits of the ideal woman. The idea of an ideal woman mold is ludicrous. I also press on the fact that you should be who you want to be, and not who others expect you to be.

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
-I would say it’s my ‘get in the zone’ that is my biggest challenge. I’m sitting at my desk, pencil in hand, staring at my notebook, and waiting for my hand to move. But the second my pencil touches the paper and the first words are written, there is no stopping me! haha 

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
-Writing about the facts from my research. Definitely.

Who or what are your inspirations/influences?
-My inspirations are my three children. No doubt about that. 

My ultimate influence is Christine Comaford. Not only because my writing style for I Am Not A Barbie was based on hers in her book Rules For Renegades, but also as an entrepreneur point of view for my other project and business that I am developing.

What is your preferred writing environment?
-My office at home. My desk is facing a huge window and I live in the woods, so no matter the weather the scenery is always magical! I need to have plants in my office and I always listen to soft classical music when I am writing. When I am doing some social media or my research though I tend to opt for heavy metal music. 

When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
-Five years ago, after I gave birth to my oldest son. I was on maternity leave and the simple thought of going back to a 9 to 5, five days/week job was so depressing to me. Like I mentioned before, I read self-growth books, and I remember reading that in order to be happy with your work all you have to do is figure out what your passion is and make a career out of it. So I took up writing courses, had two more babies, wrote my first book, and all the while I never stopped jotting down new ideas for books. So yes, there are much more to come!
cathy's website
Cathy on twitter
Cathy on goodreads
cathy on facebook
0 Comments

Lindsay Detwiler Interview

4/5/2015

0 Comments

 
Today's guest author on Interviews with Dante is Lindsay Detwiler.  She is a fellow romance writer and published her first novel in February. Enjoy learning a bit about this wonderful author.
Picture
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am currently a high school English teacher in the town where I grew up, and I truly fit the English teacher clichés—I’m obsessed with cats and love reading.  I live in my hometown with my junior high sweetheart, our four cats, and our mastiff Henry.  When I’m not reading or writing, I love taking Henry for walks and shopping.

Tell us about your latest book.
Voice of Innocence is a project I began when I was still in college.  I was taking a summer course called “The Literature of Health and Healing.”  The class really focused on the concept that you never know how much time you have left to pursue your dreams.  I decided to take this message and run with it; I started writing a novel, which was something on my “bucket list.” 

I had always been fascinated by the plight of the wrongly accused, but I often focused my thoughts on the loved ones of the accused.  I found myself wondering what it would be like to be in love with someone who was wrongfully convicted.  From this concept, the characters of Emma and Corbin emerged.  The title for the novel came to me first.  Once I started writing their story, I just couldn’t stop.  I imagined two high school sweethearts torn apart by a tragic event.  I also started to explore the feelings of regret and sadness that would plague them later in life and the power of first love.  Over several years, all of these concepts came together into the novel Voice of Innocence, released February 26, 2015, by Melange Books, LLC.

What genre do you enjoy writing the most and why?
I have always loved the romance genre; it’s my favorite to read and write.  I think that no matter how cheesy it sounds, love is truly a powerful, beautiful emotion.  It’s something that connects us all, yet it’s also something that distinguishes us all.  Readers can connect to the universal theme of love, but they can’t always predict its twists and turns due to its complexities.  For me, this is the equation for a perfect, engaging story.

From where do you draw your inspiration?
As a teacher, I always talk to my students about the fact that you have to write what you know.  I think every writer is inspired, to an extent, by his or her background and experiences.  Thus, my own experiences, emotions, and encounters certainly play a role in my writing.  My real life, though, is just a springboard.  I’m finding that as my writing ability and confidence continues to develop, I am stretching myself away from what I know into more imaginative territory.

Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
One of my characters is completely based off of real life—Henry, my mastiff.  He is Corbin’s dog in Voice of Innocence.  I can’t say there is a rhyme or reason for this other than the fact that I am unabashedly obsessed with Henry. 

As I said earlier, there are certainly bits and pieces of my real life experiences used as a foundation for my writing.  Those who know me well probably see similarities between my personality and Emma’s.  Nonetheless, as a whole, my characters are distinct entities from real life.  They are purely fictitious and only exist in my novels, but my goal is to write realistically enough so that readers will be able to believe they truly exist.   

What authors inspire your writing?
I have always been an avid Nicholas Sparks fan.  I love his writing style, and I love that he can make characters both relatable and unique.  I know when I pick up one of his books I will be able to count on a beautifully crafted tale about two people falling in love.  However, I don’t know what the path will look like to their love and how they will be tested.  I love that about his writing.

I have recently become very intrigued by Liane Moriarty’s writing as well.  One of my close friends recommended her book What Alice Forgot. I fell in love with the way Moriarty combines deep, emotional conflicts with lighthearted humor.  I find myself laughing out loud when I’m reading her work, which I think speaks to her talent as a writer.  Humor isn’t always an easy element to incorporate, but she does it gracefully.

What kind of books do you like to read?
I love reading romance but also am somewhat of a science fiction fan as well.  I read a substantial amount of young adult material just to stay in touch with the books my students are reading.  Classics are also a major part of my reading list since I teach many of them. 
Picture
We’ve all heard the saying: you never forget your first love.  For some, however, perhaps the better terminology is haunted---haunted with the memories, the connections, and the life-changing relationship.  So begins the tale of Emma Ranstein and Corbin Jones, two typical teenagers who travel the road of first love together, hearts sealed by a seemingly impenetrable bond.  When Corbin Jones is convicted of murder and faces years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, though, their love is put to the test.   As Emma and Corbin await his release from prison decades later, both reflect on the power of a relationship neither has gotten over.  Their unique story speaks to a universal heartstring within all of us: how do we move on past a first love if we aren’t meant to do so?  More importantly, it reminds us that there is hope if the heart leads the way.
Find it on smashwords
find it on barnes & noble
find it on amazon
find it on lulu
How have your real life experiences influenced your writing?
I was born, raised, and still live in the same town.  Our town is relatively small, so I think that plays a role in the type of characters and setting I write about.  

In addition, I met my husband in seventh grade at the art table.  He was my first and only love, which has significantly impacted my views of the romance genre.  I think our relationship has allowed me to believe in the power of first love while also helping me to see the conflicts that can arise when you are with the same person for a long time.  We’ve changed and grown since we first met, so our relationship has undergone many transformations as well.  This has given me a unique perspective of relationships, love, and the impact of first loves.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I must admit that I am a bit of a shopaholic.  I love fashion, cosmetics, and the thrill of finding a good bargain.  Shoes are also a big weakness for me, as evidenced by the overflowing shoe racks in my closet.  Other than that, I like spending time with my family, taking Henry to the dog park, or just relaxing on our deck with a great read.

What was your road to publishing like?  Tell us about it.
Publishing a book is something I’ve always dreamed about.  When I was in elementary school, I used to write poems and stories in my journals all of the time.  In sixth grade, I started writing a novel.  It wasn’t until college, though, that I decided to really pursue my writing.  

I never truly expected to get a book published because I knew that it was a tough business to break into as a new author. I worked on Voice of Innocence because I just felt a need to write the story, not because I felt like it would be published.  I would work on writing it over the summers when I had extra time, putting it away when classes started in the fall.  It was during the summer of 2013 that I finished the novel.  Thanks to my husband’s encouragement, I decided to see if any publishers would be interested.  Luckily, Melange Books, LLC, read the book and gave me the opportunity to see it shared with the world, even though I was a new author. 

How did you come up with the title of your book?
Honestly, it just came to me.  I know that’s a terrible answer and seems implausible, but it just literally came to mind before I had even started writing.  I’ve recently finished the first draft of a second novel, and it was the same thing—the title came to me first.  

Is your book a stand alone or a series?
Voice of Innocence is a stand alone novel.  I have outlined a sequel but haven’t started writing it.  I just finished the first draft of a second stand alone novel but am focusing on Voice of Innocence right now.

Who or what are your inspirations/influences?
My mom and dad incited my appreciation for literature and writing.  Before I was old enough to attend school, my mom would sit with me every day and read books with me.  In elementary school, my dad helped me refine my writing style and helped me develop one that was unique.  My parents really established the foundation for me to grow and learn as a reader and writer.

I also had many influential teachers along the way who helped me build confidence in my writing.  Mrs. Vella was my teacher in sixth grade; she helped me realize that I could write works that people would want to read and even got me started writing a novel.  Mrs. Gunsallus, my twelfth grade AP Literature teacher, taught me to appreciate and dissect the writing styles of the greats through classics.  She also helped me fine-tune my writing abilities.

What is your preferred writing environment?
I usually write on my laptop while sitting on my couch with a few cats.  I tend to write best in the evenings, so I usually work then.  In the summer months, I sometimes handwrite scenes while sitting on my deck.

How would you describe your writing style?
I’ve been told that my writing style is very descriptive, which makes sense because I really focus on visualizing the scenes as I’m writing.  I try to paint the images I’m seeing in my mind with my words so that readers can vividly see the environment, the characters, and the events.  
Lindsay's blog
Lindsay on GoodReads
lindsay on twitter
0 Comments
    September Blog Schedule
    10 T.J. Adams

    Author

    I'm a writer as well as a blogger you can discover my work by clicking the link below. 

    True Love Makes Anything Possible.

    Dante's Books

    Archives

    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014

    Categories

    All
    Adult Romance
    Aerisia
    Aerisia: Field Of Battle
    Aerisia: Gateway To The Underworld
    Aerisia: Land Beyond The Sunset
    A Fatal Affair
    Alisha Short
    All Or Nothing
    Altering Authority
    Amazon EBook
    Angela Dawn Vesely
    Angel Chadwick Interview
    Anger & Arrogance
    An Innocent Act
    Anne
    An Out Of Sequence Love Story
    Anthony Avina
    Any Place
    Any Time
    Ariel Marie
    A Second Chance
    A Secondhand Life
    Ashley Dooley
    Ash Night
    Ashwood Falls Part 1
    Author Interview
    Author Interviews
    Bienvenue
    Black Magic Man
    Blood Monarch
    Blue Moon Rising
    Body Box
    Book
    Books
    Captive Veiled Desires
    Carmen Stevens
    Casey Lehman
    Cathy Rafferty
    Christopher Heard
    Chronicles Of The Nocturnal Forest
    C. M. Boers
    Contemporary Adult Romance
    Contemporary And Romantic Suspense
    Contemporary Erotic Romance
    Contemporary Romance
    Contemporary Women's Fiction
    Cop On Her Doorstep
    Corridors Of My Mind
    Courage To Change
    Daniel Haight
    Death And Destiny Trilogy
    Deborah Camp
    Dina Rogers
    Divulged
    Divya Jyoti Randev Interview
    Drako Damone
    Drive Me Sane
    Drow Of Darkness
    EBook
    Eeva Lancaster
    Effie Kammenou
    Ella Drayton
    Ellie Midwood
    Embracing Shadows
    Emerald Green
    Erotic Romance
    Excellence
    Fae
    Faith
    Fantasy
    Fantasy Romance
    Faye Hall
    Finder's Keepers
    Finding You
    Fire
    Flotilla
    Fountain Blue Publishing
    Fury
    Gabriel Constans
    Georgia Series
    Gift Saga
    Gisele Walko
    Grim Crush
    Grimly Ever After Series
    Guardians Of Paradise
    Half A Step Away From Love
    Hawaiian Heartbreak
    Hawaiian Heartbreak Trilogy
    Heart Of Shell
    Heat
    Heath D. Alberts
    Her Darkest Hour
    Historical Erotic Romance
    Historical Fantasy Romance
    Historical Romance
    Historic Fiction
    Hope
    Hunt
    I Am Not A Barbie
    If Only You Knew
    Immortal Memory
    Immortal Savior Series
    In Loving You
    Interview
    Interviews By Dante
    Isabel Curtis
    Isabelle The Butterfly
    It'll Be Better Tomorrow
    Jack Cactus
    Jack Cactus And Mina Harker
    Jane Lynne Daniels
    Jean Lowe Carlson
    Jerica MacMillan
    Jessica Werner
    J.L. Dillard
    Ju Ephraime
    June Bourgo
    Jungle Eyes
    Karen Docter
    Keith Mosher
    Kelly Marshall
    Killing Secrets
    King Of Shadows
    K.K. Gould
    K.L. Docter
    Lana Kortchik
    Lauren Boehm Lynch
    Libby Cole
    Lindsay Detwiler
    Lindsay Marie Miller
    Lisa Medley
    Loving Annalise
    Marie Lavender
    Marie Saint Louis
    M.C. Walker
    Me & Mr Jones
    Michele Wesley
    Mina Harker
    Mind's Eye
    Mirrored Prophecy
    Mistress Of Purity
    N.D. Jones
    Negative Ion Series
    New Adult Contemporary Romance
    New Adult Romance
    Nicola Abell Francis
    Nolan's Evolution
    Not What We Were Expecting
    Obscured
    Of Fear And Faith
    Of Love And Distance
    Olga Kuno
    On A Sphere's Edge
    One Dance With A Stranger
    Pamela Crane
    Pamela Daniell
    Paranormal Romance
    Paranormal Romance/suspense
    Passion
    PJ Fiala
    Pleasure Principle Series
    Power Of The Fae
    Prince Of Fire
    Promised Soul
    Raj Davis
    Reap & Repent
    Rebound Series
    Rebound Therapy
    Red Sage Publishing
    Rekindling Connections
    Relentless Brit
    Renee Marski
    Revelations
    Richard Lester
    Rise Of The Cameleons Part 2 Of Eternal Love Of The Seeker
    Robin Field
    Rolling Thunder Series
    Romance
    Ryanne Anthony
    Rydin' The Storm Out
    Sandra J. Jackson
    Sarah Brocious
    Sarina Rose
    Savage Lands
    Say Yes!
    Sci/Fi/Fantasy/Anthro Romance
    Second Chance Heart
    Self Help
    Shifter
    Shocking Finds
    Short Story
    Sins Of The Sidhe
    S. L. Bynum
    Smoke & Fire
    Smoke & Fire Series
    Sparks
    Sra'kalor
    Standartenfuher's Wife
    Starts With A Kiss
    Steampunk/Fantasy Romance
    Stories Of The Fairy Of My Dreams
    Summer Fling
    Suspense Romance
    Sylvia Frances
    Sylvie Nickels
    TalonFrye Chronicles
    Taylor Fenner
    Terminal Beginning
    The Admirer's Secret
    The Adventures Of Jojo Smith
    The Arzulian Kingdoms
    The Chair
    The Check Out
    The Dating Game
    The Girl From Berlin
    The Haunting Love
    The Last Conception
    The Last Ereph
    The Last Ereph And Other Stories
    The Letters
    The Mercrutian Chronicles
    The Mystery Of Stall #4
    The Other Side Of Silence
    The Reaper Series
    The Vampire And The Necromancer
    Thorne's Thorns
    Three Days Of Oblenite Blood
    Three Days Of Oblenite Breath
    Three Days Of Oblenite Tears
    Thriller/Suspense/Paranormal Romance
    Through His Heart
    T.J. Adams
    T. M. Cromer
    Tony Leslie Duxbury
    Toya Richardson
    Tracy Clark
    True Love In Uniform
    Unexpected Love
    Unexpected Series
    Urban Fantasy
    Vanessa Kings
    Vengeance
    Voice Of Innocence
    Void
    Wake Up Series
    W.E. Lawrence
    Whispering Willows
    Winged Warriors Series
    Winter's Captive
    Young Adult
    Young Adult Fantasy Romance
    Young Adult Paranormal Romance
    Young Adult Romance
    You're Getting Married Soon Now What?
    You Want To Be An ONLINE FREELANCER Now What?
    Zara Steen

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.