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Paranormal Romance Author

Hello and welcome. You'll find all sorts of happenings here. I have many interviews lined up this year with authors of various genres. I'll have contests, giveaways and much more. So keep popping back for some fantastic interviews, articles and new release information.

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Pick of the week

I am honoured that my new release Abigail Cottage has been named Pick of the week by thriller writer Lorrie Struiff

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Abigail Cottage

When Abigail falls in love with Justin she can’t begin to know the world of hurt she is heading into. Gorgeous, kind, rich – he’s the man we all dream to meet. BUT, all is not what it seems because Justin is a true demon from hell, disguised as a mortal being. He wants her and will do, kill or maim anyone who tries to stop him. Namely Shaun the real hero, who wants Abigail more! So what does a mortal man do against a demon? He enlists the help of a gypsy of course. But not any old gypsy. Rosa knows Justin very well and has the powers of the spirit world on her side to fight him. Using crystals as a powerful weapon, the light of the spirit world to lead them, they embark on a battle with the whole of the underworld. Many loved ones will lose their lives. This isn’t a book where everyone survives. In real life, bad things happen. In Abigail Cottage, terrible tragedies occur too. Believe... not every story can have a happy ending.

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Monday 26 April 2010

Welcome to Diane Parkinson

Welcome Diana. Please tell us a bit about yourself.

Hello Margaret. Thanks for having me over. Originally I’m from California. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have written since a small child and published poems and short-stories in school magazines. In high school I had a short story submitted to a literary festival. I joined the Navy at nineteen and met my future husband while stationed in Greece. After living overseas and raising two boys, we settled in Virginia where I again pursued my love of writing. I joined a chapter of the Virginia Writers Club and work as a free-lance editor. As well as being published in, I edited their second anthology, Riverside Echoes. I designed and edit the chapter’s website. I’ve worked as an on-line historical editor and write book reviews for the Historical Novels Review

I don’t know about you, but I love to hear publishing stories. So how about telling me yours.

I’ve been working on this novel on and off for several years. I was rejected many times over ten years and re-worked it through my wonderful on-line critique group. One of the members suggested I try her publisher, Eternal Press. I sent in my query and full manuscript as per their guidelines and they read and loved the story. So I’m thrilled that they offered me a contract.

How great. It sounds like a bit of synchronicity was at work here. While I love to read Historicals, I write Romance or paranormals. What’s your favourite genre to write in?

Mainstream historical fiction.

So it looks like your book will be heading for my ‘to read’ list lol So tell me about your new book.

The False Light, a mainstream historical with romantic elements.
Fleeing the French Revolution, Bettina Jonquiere struggles to survive in a remote Cornish village, discover the secret behind her father's death, while attracted to a man who may have murdered his wife.
Adventure, murder and romance on the remote coast of North Cornwall, Bettina has no idea she’s being pursued by ruthless revolutionaries. Her love for the local squire, Everett Camborne, may put her life in even more danger.
My story takes a young aristocratic Frenchwoman and throws her into the hard scrabble life of the lower classes.

I continue the story in my sequel, Without Refuge.

It sounds very complex. How do you devise your plots/characters?

It can be a long process. Sometimes I just have the bare bones of a story and write it down. After a period of time, my characters develop and almost tell me where they want the story to go. I don’t use outlines, but envy the authors who do and can follow them. I might write my novels much faster if I outlined, but can’t make myself do it.

I don’t know many authors who do outline nowadays. Where do you get your ideas from.

I get many ideas from reading history. I love the What If questions I put to my interpretation of historical events.

So tell me, what are you working on now?

Another mainstream historical: RING OF STONE portrays three eighteenth-century women—in an era that denied rights to females—who defy custom and morality to achieve their desires. Rose Gwynn is always brash, but never more so than in her wish to become a physician. The problem is in 1796 women are barred from medical schools. Rose travels with her family from America to her father’s new job in Cornwall, England, determined to succeed. When she insists on helping the local doctor with his practice, Rose uncovers his secret. Dr. Nelson is a woman who masquerades as a man. Nelson has usurped her dead brother’s medical license and journeyed from London to assume his position. Nelson balks at helping Rose learn the trade, well aware of how isolating it is to flout society. But how can she deny someone who has the same passion for medicine?
Can you tell I copied this from my potential query letter?

No, never. You couldn’t tell. Honestly lol I think this is one of the most important questions if all. How can people keep up with your new releases?

They can check my website: http://www.dianescottlewis.com,
Facebook
Eternal Press: http://www.eternalpress.biz/

I’ve been offered some excellent advice over the years. Can you give to authors who are struggling to be published?

Someone gave me two excellent pieces of advice which I’ve followed. Learn your craft: take classes, read, etc. And never give up. Here’s my advice: Try small epresses to start out and always grow as a writer. Find a critique group, they are invaluable.

I always advocate writing a short story first. If you master that, you’re ready for a novel. Now we’ve all had them. Cried over them, had a temper tantrum over them, tell me, what’s your response to rejection letters?

Sadness, sometimes anger, but neither of those help. You have to immediately send out more queries. If advice is offered, which is rare, consider it.

Finally, what are your favourite books and movies? What movie star gets your pulses racing?

I love historical fiction; The Blackstone Key, is a recent favourite. And historical movies, such as Emma, so I’m a big Public Television fan. My favourite stars are from TV and both British, Hugh Laurie from House and Phillip Glenister from Life on Mars and Island at War.

That’s it from Melody. It’s been a fun interview. Leave her a comment. She will be so pleased to hear from you.

15 comments:

  1. Margaret, thank you so much for having me. I enjoyed the interview.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Margaret and Diane!

    Readers are in for a treat if you pick up one of Diane's books. I have told Diane this before, but honestly my own writing has improved from reading her work. Supposedly I 'critique' her work, but it's so compelling and clean that I usually zip through it, transported into the story!

    However . . . oops Spoiler Alert! Now I see Dr. Nelson's secret!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, Debra, you're so sweet to say so.
    Debra is also a wonderful writer.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great interview Diane, and lovely that you have included a summary of Ring of Stone, which I am certain will be your next published work - but I wish it known that I guessed Dr Nelson's secret first!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great interview, Diane. Can't wait to read The False Light. It sounds so intriguing!

    Maggie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks, Anita and Maggie! Two more excellent writers.

    Anita is right, she did guess the secret first!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Awesome interview!

    Diane - I can't wait to have a copy of this book and looking forward to reading many more to come.

    (My mom will want to read these also!)

    Take care
    June
    (Riverside Writers)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm a member of Diane's critique group, and I can testify to the excellence of her stories. Diane has the kind of imagination that just keeps working and spinning out marvelous tales. I honestly wish I had her "idea shelf" in my house! *grin*
    Best of luck to you, Diane!
    P.S. I never would have guessed Charlie's true identity--why did you make me read this?? *lol*

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lovely interview. Diane, it sounds like you love Cornwall - I'm guessing you've been there? Wishing you success with your novel.

    Susan Cook

    ReplyDelete
  10. Carolyn, I didn't even realize about the spoiler in that blurb I posted, LOL. Thanks for the lovely comments.

    Susan, I have been in Cornwall, loved it there. I want to go back.

    Thanks both of you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Spent some of my mis-spent teenage years on Cornish holidays, oh those lifeguards~ yum!and I loved the Blackstone Key!
    Jen Black

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you, it was a great visit. I learned more about Diane through your blog. Diane, good luck with your new book!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mastering the short story first is great advice, Diane, and so true. Thanks for the lovely interview.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Diane
    The False Light sounds fascinating...but I'm really itching to read the Ring of Stone!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Maggie Dove wins the PDF of The False Light.
    Congratulations, Maggie!

    ReplyDelete

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