Interview with Author Delaney Diamond:
Hi Delaney. 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.
My latest book is actually my debut novel entitled, The Arrangement. It’s a contemporary interracial romance about Brazilian millionaire, Leonardo da Silva. He’s still seething from when his African-American wife, Alexa, walked out on him four months ago. Now she’s in his office asking for a business loan to help her brother. Instead of a loan, he’s willing to give her the money, but only if she resumes her role as his wife for the next two months. She reluctantly agrees, and she soon finds herself wishing their arrangement was permanent. But when she finds out about Leonardo’s betrayal, there may be no way for them to mend their broken marriage.
- What can we expect from you in the future?
I just submitted a sweet romance to a publisher entitled, Worth Waiting For. Keep your fingers crossed for me that it gets accepted. I’m also hard at work on the second novel in my Hot Latin Men Series. It’s entitled Private Acts and the story is about a Cuban artist and his temporary housekeeper.
- How do we find out about you and your books?
Go to my website at www.delaneydiamond.com, or join me on Facebook. Doing so will also keep you “in the know” about contests and promotions.
- Do you allow readers to contact you? If so, how do they reach you?
Certainly! They can contact me at delaneydiamond@ymail.com.
- Why did you decide to write romance novels?
I’ve been reading romance novels since I was eleven years old. I was, and I still am, a hopeless romantic who can’t resist an emotional love story with a happy ending. I wanted to create the same type of stories I enjoy reading.
- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
I wrote for awhile as a teenager. I wrote my first romance novel at fourteen. It was 89 pages and I called it Captured Heart. I won several short story contests in high school, but once I started college, I didn’t pursue writing. A couple of years ago, I got the writing bug again and starting freelance writing. In 2009 I decided to try writing romantic fiction and that resulted in my debut novel, The Arrangement.
- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
I get out of the house! When I want to unwind I have to get out of the house because my home is my workplace. I generally go to a movie or out to dinner with friends.
- Where do your ideas come from?
Everywhere! Music, movies, books, TV shows, stories my friends tell me—literally, everywhere. Something will just click, and then I’ll start creating the story in my mind. Before long, I have defined characters and the beginning of a plot.
- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?
Yes. Thrillers and mysteries are my second favorite type of book to read, so I’d like to eventually try my hand at writing romantic suspense. For now I have my hands full getting all the contemporary romance novels in my head onto paper.
- Please tell us about yourself (family, hobbies, education, etc.)
I was born and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands. A few family members live here in the States, but the majority of my extended family are scattered throughout other parts of the world—various Caribbean islands, Canada, and England.
I enjoy cooking, traveling, writing, and reading. I’m very interested in holistic health and try my best to eat mostly whole foods. I also like to watch movies, although I don’t get to do that as much as I’d like.
I have two business degrees, and I speak fluent conversational French and can get by in Spanish.
- Fill in the blank favorites -
Choose ONE favorite dessert? That’s almost impossible. Dessert is my favorite food group! I can tell you that I like any kind of dessert with chocolate; love pound cake; love tiramisu; love carrot cake; love pecan pie. I could go on and on. One thing I’m never without is ice cream. There’s always ice cream in my freezer. My favorite flavors are pineapple-coconut, rum raisin, and pistachio almond.
Favorite city: Paris, France! And then Miami, because of the beaches.
Favorite season: spring
Favorite type of hero: Alpha male, of course!
Favorite type of heroine: independent and loving
- Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc.?
I’m a member of Romance Writers of America, Georgia Romance Writers, and Romance Writers of America Online Chapter. Within GRW, I and three other authors have gotten together to form an informal critique group. We critique each other’s work before we submit. One of my critique partners and I are very close. We bounce ideas off each other and share our goals to hold each other accountable.
- What do you think of critique groups in general?
They can be an important instrument in the growth of an author. Having others critique my work has helped to improve my writing. If you can’t afford to hire an editor, then a critique group is the next best resource. The unbiased feedback is invaluable.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’ll still be writing, and hopefully, I will have added “best selling author” to my bio.
- Among your own books, have you a favorite? A favorite hero or heroine?
I don’t have a favorite heroine yet, but my favorite hero so far is Maxwell Porter in my free read, Model Behavior. He’s an alpha male, but he has a soft spot for Sandrine. The fact that he’s willing to take such drastic measures to be with her make me sigh with pleasure.
- What part of a book has been the easiest to write? The hardest?
I know there are classes that teach authors how to combat the “sagging middle” of the writing process. That’s not much of a problem. For me, the easiest parts of the book to write are the middle and the end. The hardest part is the beginning because I struggle with how to introduce the characters to the reader in a way that holds their interest from the start.
I’m not the kind of author who plots a book from beginning to end. Therefore, even if I don’t have the beginning of the story figured out, I’ll write other chapters until I can think of a way to start the book. I don’t do that often, but it helps me to get the book moving.
When I wrote The Arrangement, I felt the best way to introduce the characters was right in the middle of the conversation where Alexa had asked Leonardo for the funds to help her brother. Once I got through the first two chapters, the rest of it came together for me. With my free read, Model Behavior, it was important to introduce the hero first because I wanted the reader to understand why he’d chosen to lure Sandrine to the restaurant. Once his intentions were established, it became easier to show them interacting with each other.
- Have you experienced writer's block---> If so, how did you work through it?
I do experience writer’s block. When I do, I just stop writing. I don’t like to force it. I’ve tried that before, but it doesn’t work for me. Usually, if I take a break for a day or so, eventually I’ll get past the block by revising the story, taking out sections—whatever is needed to get my creative juices flowing again.
- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
Having people read my work and enjoy it. It’s gratifying when someone sends me an email or makes a nice comment about my work.
Thank you very much 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 creation from your talented imagination!
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
Author Links:
Delaney's Website Blog A Free Read From Delaney Email Facebook
Write to her at:
Delaney Diamond
P.O. Box 832216
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
RaH Links:
Review Coming
Purchase Links:
Buy Delaney's Books at Amira Press
Buy Amira Press Books