The Story Behind My Blog's Title

The Story Behind My Blog's Title
Why is my blog named "My Father's Oldsmobile"? Click on the car and find out.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Interview With Diane Craver, and Win a Copy of Her Book!




Diane has guest blogged here before, but she has a new book that's just released with Desert Breeze Publishing, so I thought it would be a good time to catch up with her and let her tell us about this new book, herself, and writing in general.

Shawna: Diane, will you please share a short bio with us?

Diane: Shawna, thank you so much for having me here today. I grew up on a farm outside of Findlay, Ohio. I often acted out characters from my own stories in the backyard. Before I got started on my writing career, I taught school and directed school plays. I started writing nonfiction after our first daughter was born. Later I switched to fiction. It kept me sane after having six children. LOL I've been married to the love of my life for thirty-four years. We live in southwestern Ohio. My novels are published by Desert Breeze Publishing and Samhain Publishing.

Shawna: What type of stories do you like to write?


Diane: I write inspirational romance, chick-lit mystery, contemporary romance, and women's fiction.

Shawna: When do you write? Daytime, nighttime, on your lunch hour, before the kids get up, after everyone is asleep? In large chunks of time or stolen snippets?

Diane: I'm an early riser so I write a little before I get our two daughters with special needs up in the morning. After I get them to their programs, I'll do a few loads of laundry and etc., then I get busy again on my writing. On some days I might only have short periods to write, but other days I might have longer chunks of time.

Shawna: Tell us about latest release with link and where it's available.


Diane: Marrying Mallory is my latest release. Mallory isn't happy with herself because she's divorced. She feels strong guilt that she couldn't forgive her cheating ex-husband. As a Christian, she doesn't feel that she has the right to get married again. Also she is unhappy about her outward appearance. She loses fifteen pounds but that isn't enough. She decides to do something for herself and goes to see a plastic surgeon, Dr. Seth Whitman, to have rhinoplasty. Immediately, her life becomes complicated because she's attracted to the doctor. Seth feels the same way about her, and he has trouble maintaining a doctor-patient relationship.

Marrying Mallory can be purchased from Amazon Kindle or the publisher's site, http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/. I have a trailer for Marrying Mallory. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx47eTrY8M0


Shawna: How did you come up with the main character’s names?


Diane: I chose the main characters' names by first checking to see what names were popular in the year the characters were born. There's an online search under social security for the most popular names in each decade. I also looked at baby name books, and tried different names out before I chose Mallory, Toby and Seth. Then I had to make sure the first names sounded right with the last names.

Shawna: Is there a point when your characters begin to come alive and you can see and hear them?

Diane: My characters become real to me quickly. My books are character-driven so I’m constantly thinking about the characters as I start a new book and what big scenes I want them to have in the book. I don't start writing until I know my characters well. They inject dialogue and ideas to me while I’m in the shower, driving, cooking, or right before I fall asleep. I jot down their thoughts and dialogue on paper so I have my notes when I get time to type on my computer. I’ve learned I can’t rely on my memory to remember everything.

Also when I write it’s neat how the characters take over and the story line I have in mind changes. In my Whitney book, a new character unexpectedly popped in to become a main romantic interest for the one sister.

Shawna: Why do you write?

Diane: I can't imagine not writing. I love reading and writing. I'm constantly thinking of future story lines. When something happens in my real life or if I hear something on the news, I think about putting a different outcome or spin on it. I ask myself, would that be a good story? I also love developing my characters into warm and vulnerable people.

Shawna: Where can you be found on the web?


Diane: I have a website, http://www.dianecraver.com/and
blog, http://www.dianecraver.com/blog.I'm also on Facebook.


Thank you, Diane for this wonderful interview. I've already read Marrying Mallory, and it's delightful! I especially love the way your style of writing makes me feel like one of the gals. I'd also like to add that Diane's books are available at Books on Board and Allromance Ebooks too.

I hope everyone is off to a great start for 2010!

How about this! Reply to this post and enter a drawing for a copy of Marrying Mallory. I'll announce the winner on Friday!

27 comments:

  1. Is this a reply, Shawna? Or is there another place. Great Interview. I like this post!

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  2. Shawna,
    Thank you so much for having me on your blog! It's going to be a fun day!

    KM,
    Hi and thanks for visiting Shawna's blog and reading my author interview.

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  3. What a great story how your blog was named. I myself will take an oldmobile anytime you want to send one my way. ha ha I liked the cars known as muscle cars but that tells my age. ha ha I truly like to hear all about you and your book and I sure would be happy to win the book. I need lots of inspirational reading these days but think we all do. It sounds like a book I could not put down until I was at the end. Love those books as I get carried into them most of the time. I sure appreciated the time you gave for this interview and story. Happy new year 2010. susan L.

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  4. Hi Susan,

    I agree - I love Shawna's story about how she named her blog!

    Thank you for visiting and for all your support! Have a great day!

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  5. Great interview ladies! Diane, I wish you the best with your new release. It is a wonderful read!

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  6. Yes, KM, that's a reply. Got you entered!

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  7. I'd also like to publically congratulate KM for the publication of her short story, Suicide Extinct!

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  8. Thanks so much, Anne! I appreciate it!

    KM,
    Congrats on your published short story! That's great news!

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  9. Hi Diane and Shawna,
    Loved the interview and what a unique name for a blog. Lovin' it!!! The 1969 Olds Cutlass Cruiser Supreme is my very favorite muscle car.
    Diane, it's fun to know another author is led around by her characters and they take over the story. Marrying Mallory is on my TBR list.

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  10. Great interview Diane and Shawna. Diane, I prefer to write in the morning too. It's when I'm at my sharpest. If I write at night, it's after I put the kids to bed!

    Smiles
    Steph

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  11. Hi Rebecca,

    Glad you visited Shawna's blog! It's great when characters take over and surprise you!

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  12. Thanks, Steph! The bad thing about writing at night is it's harder for me to go to sleep. I can't stop thinking about the characters and story line.

    Too bad writers need sleep! :)

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  13. What a great interview! Marrying Mallory sounds really good. I have added it to my list.

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  14. Hi Diane, I love how your book sounds.

    Enjoyed your interview too, as always, lol

    Dina

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  15. Wow! Great responses today. I've got you all added for the drawing. I will announce a winner tomorrow evening. That gives one more day for others to get in on the fun.

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  16. Great interview, Diane. I had no idea you were on facebook. I am going look you up. I can't wait to read Mallory's story.

    I hope sales are through the roof.

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  17. Hi Becky,
    I'm glad you added Marrying Mallory to your reading list - thank you for visiting!

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  18. Hi Dina,
    I appreciate you taking time to visit Shawna's blog! Glad you enjoyed the interview. :)

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  19. Hi Patty,
    I meant to ask you if you were on facebook. I always figured you were but wasn't sure.

    Glad you want to read Mallory. :)

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  20. Shawna,
    Thanks again! It's been fun!

    I enjoyed reading everyone's comments.

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  21. You guys don't forget to check back to see who won. I'll post it around 6pm.

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  22. And the winner is.....DINA!

    Dina, send an email to shawnawilliams@allegiance.tv so I can get your email address.

    Thanks,
    Shawna

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  23. Congrats, Dina! I hope you enjoy reading "Marrying Mallory"!

    And thanks again, Shawna! Have a great weekend.

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  24. It's just me dropping by again. Shawna, you have a wonderful blog here. I enjoy popping over and reading all your great posts and interviews. That is why I've awarded your blog a "lovely award". Check it out at http://suspensebyanne.blogspot.com/2010/01/lovely-blog-award.html

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  25. I think the book sounds great. I enjoyed the interview. I would like to be added to win a book.
    dtbrents@gmail.com

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1970 Olds 442

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