Thank you so much for sharing your
space with me. The generosity of other authors never ceases to amaze me. I
think that’s one of the reasons why I love attending author events. Meeting and
speaking with like-minded people. Regardless of different genres, we all love
discussing books. And then you add readers to the mix. And who could help but
have fun.
Since becoming an author, I’ve
participated in several book signings, conferences, festivals, and farmer
markets. Most recently, I went to the Passaic County Book Festival in Clifton,
New Jersey. This is my second time attending this open-air book event. Last
year I sat on two panels, and this year one.
The Book of Love: Capturing the
Essence of Romance in Novels. I met Jane Anthony, Michael Geraghty, West Mitchell,
and Joan Ramirez (who will be on my blog for a new release spotlight soon).
Questions for the panel were
facilitated by Janette Pardo, whom I had the pleasure of being interviewed for
last year’s library program. Here’s the link if you want to see crazy ole me in
action, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlhbhK7Ldoc&t=238s&pp=ygUgd2F5bmUgcHVibGljIGxpYnJhcnkgYXV0aG9yIGNoYXQ%3D
These are the questions Janette
asked each of us.
Q-On average, how long does it take
you to write a book?
Novellas usually take a few weeks
to write. Complete novels have anywhere from 30 days to 8 years and running.
Literally. Rock House Grill was the first draft in 30 Days. I have one I’ve
been kicking around for 8 years.
Q-What craft elements do you think
are your strong suit, and what would you like to be better at?
I’ve been complimented on my dialog,
which is my strong suit. I’ve been working on my world-building and want to
continue growing that writing area. I don’t care for extensive descriptions in
what I read, so I tend to be very conservative in my writing. My editors are
always, “Give me more.”
Q-What piece of your work are you
most proud of?
The first book I actually finished.
Funnily enough, it’s also the one I’ve been working on for 8 years.
Q-Without summarizing it in any
way, what would you say your book is about?
I released two books this spring
within weeks of each other. They are so different. I’ll tell you about Sea
Hunter. Sea Hunter is part of a seven-book series with other authors about a
Mortar & Pestle that time travels to help couples find their true love. The
magical bowl, created in book one, takes place in Viking times. It travels to
the Scottish Highlands and then the Golden Age of Pirates. I’m the middle book.
Sea Hunter is a Historical, post-WWII, action-adventure romance. I think of it
as if Indiana Jones and Lara Croft had a baby.
Q-What tools do you feel are a
must-have for writers?
Wine. No seriously. I can’t live
without notebooks, post-its, sharpies, the Emotion Thesaurus, and wine.
Q-What’s the best piece of advice
you’ve ever received with regard to your writing?
Get the best editor you can afford
if you are independent. Read, or have a program that reads aloud to you.
Q-What was your most memorable
reader encounter?
We were camping in Delaware. I
mentioned wine, right? Well, I asked my hubby to go grab a bottle. He returned
with the wine but said put your shoes on. There’s someone you need to meet.
Chatty Catty, that he is, a woman at the store asked what he was doing in the
area. He told her about us heading home after a book signing in Florida. He
told her about my books, specifically Rainbow Sprinkles. She asked, “The ice
cream book? I loved that story.” Needless to say, the wine was delayed, and I
went to meet her and gave her a D. V. Stone T-shirt.
-What do you always want to talk
about in interviews but never get to?
My last line is usually, “Oh, wait,
one more thing”. So I really don’t have something I don’t squeeze in.
Other than the panel, I absolutely
enjoy reader interactions. Seeing so many teens and young adults at this event
was wonderful. Even though most of my work is intended for adults, my books are tame with language and sex, and
I have no problem sharing my books with any age. I spoke with a young man who
told me he hadn’t read much since leaving prison. We talked for quite a while about
finding books that entertain but also have life lessons.
Some so many readers loved to talk
about the books they liked. Even if I didn’t write what they were looking for,
I knew many of the other authors, so like in Miracle on 34th St., I
was Macy’s sending them to Gimbel’s.
Janet, I hope anyone who reads
this, whether writer or reader, will be encouraged to seek out local events in
their areas. Many libraries host author/reader get-togethers, most often on a
smaller scale.
Let’s keep the discussion going.
Have you been to any events? Did you enjoy it? If not, to either question, why
haven’t you? What would encourage you to attend?
Thanks again for hosting me today,
Janet.
