Interview with B. Dian Addair:
Hi Dian. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...
- Please tell us about your latest book.
Refuge from the Storm was orgiginally written to be part of an anthology. It is a shorter story than Whispers In The Dark. The basic blurb reads…When her father sells her into marriage, Liana Bellingham is naturally furious. Even more so because she's stuck on a ship in the middle of the ocean and her husband just happens to be on board. But when the ship goes down and she finds herself stranded on a desert island with the sexy and enigmatic Raiden de Louve, how can she help but lose herself to passion?
- What can we expect from you in the future?
In October you’ll get my debut under Eve Asbury for Linden Bay, a long southern novel called Bring On The Rain. It’s something between steel magnolias with men, and a wonderful love story, I threw everything southern in that one. Gayle Eden has a sexy contemporary in the charity anthology Romance unwrapped with LB. Eve has big western romances coming out with Linden Bay too. And in Nov I start edits on my tribute to bodice rippers, but a really different kind of Regency with Double Dragon.
- How do we find out about you and your books?
You can visit my website at Evesromance.com I keep an update on the blog there, Eve’s insanity. You can e-mail there or via gayle.eden@lindecbayromance.com
- How may readers contact you?
Through my website at evesroma@evesromance.com or through my gayle.eden@lindecbayromance.com e-mail.
- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?
Yes of course. I am writing a book 2 to whispers simply because someone loved the story and asked me to. It doesn’t take a million people loving what I do; it only takes one person who has enjoyed my book, for me to decide to do something. I’m a fan of romance too; I love it when a writer does a series of my favorite family or whatever.
- Do you have a favorite comment or question from a reader?
Of course, that they loved WHISPERS. I cried, honest I did.
- Why did you decide to write romance novels?
I decided to write full time 4 years ago, but I always knew I would. My closet is full of keepers because the shelves won’t hold them.
- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
A lot. In some ways I don’t know that you can write intensely sensual or write drama without having some personal insight. I know my characters are likely pieces of me in essence… well not the hunks, Gayle’s men are just for fans to fall in love with. But the characters and situations I relate to or else I couldn’t do them justice.
- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
I thought about it in the 8th grade but that was bad poetry. I actually wrote 14 single title 400 page ms before I even queried. That query read like the dead sea scrolls (not kidding folks) But I knew I would write them, I just didn’t know when Id have the time. Submitting seemed like a good idea since Id ran out of desk space and had written all those books that were laying around.
- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?
It depends, research takes months, but once I sit down to write, I write page one to whatever straight through. With no stops I can finish 300 pages in a week. It doesn’t take me long to actually get it down.
- What is your writing routine?
I write at night. My muse will not speak to me in the daylight. I write from about 6-7 PM until 9-10 am.
- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
I go with the flow. I write everyday, all day if I can.
- What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?
They respect my space. Sometimes they know I need a break and they drag me out from under the notes and coffee cups and make me take one lol. Even before I submitted they all called me a writer and I hadn’t even written a query. I’m lucky.
- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
I watch movies (don’t like too much TV) I walk here in the country and I read, read, read. I relax with my husband.
- What truly motivates you in general? In your writing?
I think it is that I waited nearly 25 years to get to do this. I did the kids, the jobs, the whole bit, and the whole time I knew the day would come when I could be a novelist. Now that it is here, I work at making the dream happen by producing something I’m proud of. Knowing I’m free to write is motive enough.
- Where do your ideas come from?
Everywhere and everyone.
- Do you feel humor is important in women's fiction and why?
Yes, but I like wit. It isn’t sarcasm; it’s sometimes the ability to laugh at ourselves.
- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?
Not at all, I’ve been wed for going on 27 years, it is hard to make me blush. I write them as naturally as I write the other parts of the story. To me the couple becomes real; they lead the love scenes themselves. I never know what they will do.
- What kind of research do you do?
I own research books but I constantly read on line too. I love history sites.
- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?
I’m writing straight sci-fan with my grown son.
- What does your husband think of your writing?
He’s supportive. He is proud of me.
- Do you ever ask him/her for advice?
Not really, not about writing. But we discuss everything.
- Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)
I’m a laid back southern woman who likes the lake, to cook out, and has to have strong coffee to survive.
- Fill in the blank favorites -
Type of hero - I like men who are strong without being overbearing. I like a hero who doesn’t have to put a woman down.
Type of heroine - I like strong women, mature ones. I like a woman who takes responsibilities for her mistakes.
- Do you have a favorite author? Favorite book?
Yes, lots and lots of them. Lindsey, Quick. Garwood. Dorothy Garlock. Tolkin, and on and on…
- What do you think of critique groups in general?
I think they only work when you are first learning. After that you just need a professional opinion. So you get the skills, you submit, and you listen to the editor who takes time to tell you what is wrong.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Writing… writing…writing.
- After you've written your book and it's been published, do you ever buy it and read it?
No, I haven’t bought mine because I want the fans to do that. I can read the file I have on computer. I have been too busy writing to re-read anything.
- What book for you has been the easiest to write? The hardest? The most fun?
Hardest part is the opening lines. The easiest to write was Whispers In The Dark. the Regency for LBR. The most fun was the contemporary in their Romance Unwrapped Anthology/a>. The hardest was Every Time You Go Away because I covered so many years of history, so many Native American Indian tribes, and so many new immigrants to the US. I followed several lives of several couples or people and getting their traditions and ethnic essence in the story was important to me, but it took some time to write that book.
- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
The characters then the setting, then the characters tell the story. I never plot.
- What are the elements of a great romance for you?
Characters I can relate to, situations I can believe mature people who grow through the real life kinds of events…and the depth of emotions for each character… the happy ending.
- Have you experienced writer's block---> If so, how did you work through it?
No. I get burned out and have to refuel. But no real block. If a story won’t go anywhere I move on to something else.
- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
Getting to write.
- If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?
Driving people crazy talking about writing.
- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
Yep. You have to develop your voice and style yourself through writing. You have to write all the time. Do not torture your voice to fit a slot or formula. Whatever you want to write, no one is stopping you but you.
Thank you very much, Dian, for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creations from Linden Bay and Double Dragon!
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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