Loading ...Interview and Contest with Diane McEntire
Exclusive Bitten by Books
Interview with Author Diane McEntire
A big welcome to our readers today! Be sure to read to the end of the interview to find out how to WIN the the great prize package being offered up. The contest runs until 11:59 pm Eastern time 1/20/09. Open to readers worldwide!
NOTE: this is not a fixed time event, the post just goes live at 8:00 am PST. You can stop by any time during the day or evening and leave your questions and comments.
Interview:
Hi Diane!
Welcome to Bitten by Books, we are excited to have you here today!
I would like to thank you taking the time to join us for the question and answer session with our readers. It has been very interesting to get to know more about you and what makes you tick as a writer! Readers, if you haven’t done so already please stop by and get your copy of Diane’s latest release Midnight Rose.
BBB: What do you find the most challenging aspect of writing?
DM: Getting my muse going. I only write when I am “feeling” the story. I am not one of those authors who can sit down and force myself to write. Unfortunately, thoughts tend to come when I lay down to sleep. I have tried recording my thoughts, but thinking and speaking are too difficult. *laughs*
BBB: What is the most rewarding aspect of writing for you?
DM: When a person who reads the story tells me the parts they liked most. It makes my day to know someone enjoyed my book.
BBB: What or who was your muse that got you started writing?
DM: My family. My two sisters and I are very much into romance stories. Whenever we get together we go on and on about stories we’ve read or listened to on audio. I have always been a good “letter writer” so it was suggested I give writing romance a try. I did, and it’s been an exciting road.
BBB: What do you feel are the benefits of the new electronic readers such as Kindle
DM: I personally have a Sony Digital Book Reader
BBB: What impact do electronic readers create on the bottom line for authors in the end? Do you feel they have a negative impact or positive, or no impact at all that you can see?
DM: Where I live, most folks haven’t gotten into ebooks as of yet, but word is spreading. I believe ebooks have given new authors, such as myself, the chance to break into the business. Print books are costly, thus contracts are harder to come by.
BBB: What was the most difficult thing in writing Blood and Dust? (Western Paranormal) and What inspired such a unique story?
DM: The idea for Blood and Dust started with a scene that popped into my head of a stranded female vampire who is discovered by a cattle driver – set in 1865 Texas. Writing a historical was harder than I had expected. A lot of research is needed to get everything correct for the time period from clothing to speech, to aspects of everyday life. Unfortunately, this story has not yet found a home.
BBB: Can you tell us what your next release (s) will be? And do you have stand alone titles forthcoming? And of course we would love to know how many more books are scheduled in the Watchers series!
DM: Midnight Rose, the second installment of The Watchers series, is now out. The book tells Vane’s story. The warrior faces the reality years of upholding the image the other Watchers have of him, the Latin Lover who could have a nun out of her habit with just a look, has gotten nowhere except alone. One look at Rosa Bella his heart is captured and his eyes see only her.
Books three and four will be released this year. Midnight Revelations reveals a secret Rayne has kept for over one hundred years. One which may affect his future as a Watcher. Midnight Savior brings to light the plight of Kern, a Watcher MIA after Louisville’s annual fireworks festival. After months of torture and horrid experiments no human could endure, his mind has reached its limit and the woman on her way to save him may pay the price.
I have ten books planned for the series. It has been a joy to write these stories because with each one I felt as though I was there, walking along with the characters.
I have several stories in the works which I plan to submit to publishers once they are ready to find a home. I love Samhain Publishing and feel blessed to be a part of their group, but I do not want to interrupt the series for a standalone book.
Boxers, Lace and Dreams, a standalone novella I recently completed, is another story which has been a joy to write. Comedy meets romance in this story of romance writer, Lacy Cain, who had the misfortune of having a face-to-face introduction with the front end of Ben Carson’s truck. Between her broken heart from catching her fiancé playing Show and Tell with the office bimbo, and the Ben’s belief his wife left him in search of Mr. Perfect she read about in romance novels, sparks fly and not all of them outside the bedroom.
BBB: As a reviewer, it was gut wrenching to read about the abuse of Robyn and her mom, was it difficult writing these particular scenes in Midnight Reborn
DM: Actually, no. Robyn has strength and I wanted to show that, but the only way to do so was to pull out all the stops and lay out the details of her horrific past. Her strength is the perfect match for Trigg’s stone heart. She knows first-hand about cold hearted, evil people and what they are capable of, but Trigg’s anti-social behavior didn’t fool her in the least. She can see what others can’t. Even his Cell-mates.
BBB: How do you keep track of your characters and world building?
DM: The first five books of the series take place in Louisville, Kentucky, where I was born and raised. The places in each story are real which allowed me to picture everything in my head. Some of the places actually were the basis of creating the story. The exception is book three, Midnight Revelations, which takes place mostly in Charlestown, Indiana. To keep the characters straight, I made a list of each character and everything about them down to the type of underwear they wore.
BBB: What is your favorite paranormal fiction book of all time?
DM: I am a huge fan of JR Ward’s Brotherhood of the Black Dagger series. I have all of the books on my shelf and re-read them when I need inspiration.
BBB: What do you like to do in between all the time you spend writing?
DM: I have a lot of time in between writing since I have to wait until the mood strikes. I enjoy reading all types of romance, thus the reason my Sony Digital Book Reader
BBB: What did you do before you became a writer? Do you write full time?
DM: I actually have a full-time job as well as being a mother and wife. The funny thing is I write better at work than anywhere, even at home. I suppose it is because I have a quiet, private office with a comfortable spot for typing. My boss is one of my biggest fans and is always up for proofreading. I suppose as long as I get the work done and the quality is there, my “fill-in” time spent by writing doesn’t seem to bother her.
BBB: Succubus or Fairy? If you HAD to become one of these creatures, which one and why?
DM: Fairy. Sex is nice, don’t get me wrong, but Fairies have much more fun, even if they do have pointy ears. *grins* Give me wings and let me fly.
BBB: Do you have any pearls of wisdom you would like to share with our readers here today?
DM: Gosh. That’s a hard one. You are assuming I have wisdom. The only thing which comes to mind is sharing the joy. If you read a story which touches your heart or gets you going, spread the word. Reading is a great way to de-stress and leave our own world behind. Who couldn’t use some time out? Most people will check out a story a friend or family member has raved about. You’d be doing them a great service.
Readers Learn More About Diane McEntire here:
Read reviews of her work here.
To visit the author’s website go here.
To visit the author’s blog go here.
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Questions and Contest: Now, I am going to open up the internet floor so to speak and let our readers ask Diane some questions. Feel free to post as many questions or comments as you like. He will be popping in and out today and tomorrow to answer them.
Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do ONE or ALL of these things, and each one will give you additional entries at a chance to win. One lucky participant will win a Watcher’s prize package with t-shirt, goodie bag and $20.00 Walmart Gift Card. The contest is open to our International readers as well!
Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
1. Ask Diane some questions. Ask as many questions as you like, you can also start a stimulating discussion about today’s topic.
2. SUBSCRIBE to the Bitten by Books newsletter here on the right hand side of the site. This is for new subscribers only.
3. Post the link to the interview here today (http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=3889) at another blog, website, Myspace, Ning Group, Facebook, Yahoo Group (any group where it is appropriate) and you will be given TEN additional entries for a chance to win for every link you post. BUT you MUST come back here to this interview and post those links in one response here in this thread. The more places you post the event, the more entries you get, so spread the word! NOTE: if you post multiple links here, your post will not show up right away. If you don’t see it, don’t keep posting it, we WILL approve your entry later on in the day. Good for 10 entries per place you post the link to this event.
4. Purchase copies of Diane’s awesome books TODAY or TOMORROW and send us a copy of the receipt VIA email (sorry no faxes) for your purchase to: racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces) for TWENTY additional entries. You get TWENTY entries for each one you purchase. Not valid on past purchases. Click these links below to buy his most recent books.
The Watchers series in the order they should be read
Midnight Reborn
Or buy ANYTHING from Amazon today by using the Amazon search box to your right hand side on our site. Send me a copy of the receipt VIA email (sorry no faxes) for your purchase to: racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces). Good for 20 entries per item purchased.
5. Add us as your friend on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bittenbybooks
Add us as your friend on Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=614064436
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BittenbyBooks
Be sure to mention that you are friending us for this contest so we know to enter you! Good for 5 entries per place you friend us.
6. Stumble, Digg or share the post with any social networking sites. There is a button right at the end of this post that says “Share” that you can use. Good for 5 entries.
7. Twitter and ask your friends to re-tweet the URL for this event: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=3889. Good for 10 entries.
8. Add Diane’s blog to your blog roll or links page: http://www.dmcentire.com/blog/ Good for 5 entries for each one you add.
9. Add Bitten by Books to your blog roll or links page: http://bittenbybooks.com if you leave our link up permanently you will always be entered into our contests automatically. Just be sure to stop by each contest we hold and leave the link to where it is so we can give you your entry! Good for 10 entries.
10. Email ALL of your friends and invite them to come by today! If your fiends come and post here and say you sent them, they get TWO entries and you get FOUR entries! They have to tell us who you are so we know who to give the entries to. You can invite as many people as you want and get all the extra entries!
11. Join the The Blood Bank the Bitten by Books Community! here: http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/ then come back here and tell us your username. Be sure to post something about yourself on your blog there. Good for 10 entries
GENERAL CONTEST INFORMATION:
The contests end on 1/20/09 at 3:00 pm EST and the winner will be contacted the following week. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning.
IMPORTANT CONTEST RULES:
1. If you aren’t interested in receiving the prize, offered please do not enter the contest.
2. You have THREE days from the day the I contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to me. Failure to contact me will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re- award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. We have the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers worldwide. The prize is shipped directly from the author.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry.
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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great interview
where did the inspration come from to write the books you do ( which i loved the first book in the watchs)
if you could time travel what time would you go to and what one thing would you bring back with you?
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Predictable history teacher question here. What time period would you next like to write a book set in? What era of history do you think would provide a good setting for a book?
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I blogged about this contest:
http://morbid-romantic.net/2009/01/19/book-giveaways-0119-0125
Gave it a Tweet, too:
http://twitter.com/morbidromantic/status/1130714684
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Great interview! I am a total JR Ward junkie also
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Angie - I am a big fan of vamp romance and had the thought of paring it with a place I know all too well and a time of the year which is a big thing in Louisville - the Derby. I was so hooked on romance stories I decided to try my hand and write my own. As far as time travel, I love Scot stories..but also love modern conveniences LOL. I would love to walk the streets of downtown and see my own stories come to life, though. That would be exciting!
di
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Val - thanks for much for the blog on the interview! That’s great! I can’t wait to see you and everyone else at Lori’s event this year. Only 5 mos to go!
History - I have a medieval story I was working on as well as a western paranormal, but the western one received comments that totally confused me…so I have gone back to contemporary. I have one ready to go…though the recent editor chat has me going back through it, LOL.
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Katiebabs-can’t wait for the next JR Ward book - I believe it is Rev’s story, right? Interesting! di
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Hi Diane,
Great interview. I’m new to you but love the sound of the Watcher series and will be checking them out.
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What a great interview! My question, if you were a paranormal creature, where would you pick to spend your “immortality” so to speak?
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I can’t wait to read the watchers series, they look like they would be great. You had a great interview and I thought it was funny when your muse hits you right when you are going to sleep. I am that kind of person. Everything hits me when I try to fall asleep as well.
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posted link on Facebook and myspace
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Hi Virginia! If I had mortality, I would travel the world. I wouldn’t stay in one place. I figure it would take a long, long time to experience all the sights of this world. I’d probably get a lot of romance books out LOL!
diane
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Hi Val P. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to hook probes to your head and just have it all go into a computer for you? I mean, the scenes that run through my head are sooo good, but I don’t feel I capture it that well when I get up to write it down. Many times I pray I can remember it in the morning. I can have an entire scene play out in my head while I am driving (scary, isn’t it?). When I get home it’s like “no one talk to me” and I run to my computer. Boxer, Lace and Dreams, which I hope to find a home for, is an example of that. The entire diner scene popped into my head on the way home from work one day. diane
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I am a stay at home mom who loves pararomance books…. Even getting the teen into them, woo hoo….. My question is, you said that you have a job and your boss allows you to write at work, if you did not, how would you cope with writing and your daily life as mom and wife…… I know that when I am on computer working my kids ask a bazillion questions need help or whatever and the hubby is currently deployed so no help there….
Cindy Mac
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I loved the interview! Anything Vampy gives me shivers LOL
I put links on http://www.myspace.com/ann_campbell
http://www.anncampbellsromance.blogspot.com
and I added bitten by books to the links on my blog at blogspot.
Thanks for a great interview
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Great interview! Thanks for sharing. I hope you find a home for Blood and Dust. Checked out your web- those are sweet pictures. My questions: How long have you been writing and is your husband supportive too? Is Montana a pet or are the children able to ride him - gently of course?
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Hi MarthaE. Re: pics - I love living in the country. It’s so nice and peaceful out here…10 miles to town. Montana is getting up there in age. I have tried to find his paperwork to see just how old. He is cripple - kicked in the rear by a horse and shattered his pelvic bone. He cannot bend one of his back legs and walks slow..unless he gets a wild hair LOL. No one rides him, though. I began writing The Watchers back in April 07 after a family get together where I bounced ideas around with my family. My bi-polar high kicked in and by Sept when I decided to sub my first book I already had seven of them done. I was afraid if I stopped I wouldn’t be able to start again. I lost my father May of that year but I know he was with me..keeping me going.
di
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2. Already subscribed.
5. Already friends on MySpace and Facebook.
9. BBB is always on my blog roll: http://willows-inner-thoughts.blogspot.com/
11. Already a member of The Blood Bank, username, “Willow”.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to getting published? Any advice for new writers wanting to break into the industry?
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what is your favorite genre to read?
What is your favorite genre to write?
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Hi Cindy Mac. My kids are 12 and 18 so I’m pretty lucky they are self-entertained. LOL. I have been in the secretaril field since I was 19 so typing is like walking to me. I believe I do my best writing at work because my mind is awake and busy, and my workstation is comfortable. There’s just something about being in my office that gets my mind churning. I can switch from work to book on the fly. When I try to work at home it’s like my brain doesn’t want to..it’s done. Sometimes I can go to the coffee shop and get editing done, but not actually writing. My bedroom is a good place to get away and think, but after awhile of sitting on the bed it’s hard to stand again. I would LOVE to have a nice office here with an actual desk, chair and room to put my promo supplies. *sigh*. Oh, right, didn’t I mention I had an 18 year old? Hmmmmm.
diane
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Willow - I had 7 books written before I decided to submit. I didn’t know who to submit to so I googled and subbed to almost 80 places. I received a lot of rejections, but two weeks after emailing Samhain, I was accepted. Boy did I ball like a baby! I feel my dad helped out in that and still is with me. Rejections are a big let down, especially when you chew on your nails for weeks, even months to hear. I haven’t used a critique group but will definitely be searching that option out to better my chances of submission approvals. Do not give up and, though it is a pain sometimes, read, reread, reread because errors could hurt your chances. Get on groups and ask away. I’ve never once seen an author bite…unless they were asked LOL. I have learned a lot since my first pub May 08, but I still have a lot to go. Oh yeah…it’s REALLY important you keep this FUN and not a “Job”. That makes the biggest difference in the world. You have to enjoy it to be able to accept the ups and downs. Diane McEntire
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Hi Lexee. My reading genres switch. Guess it depends oh my mood. *grin* Writing The Watchers series has been a pure joy. Since they are the first books I have ever written, I think it was a good genre for me to start in because I was able to make up my own “rules” for the race. Nothing says vampires are only this or that. And, since I knew the area by heart (Louisville, KY), I didn’t have to create places and making up events was easy. Diane
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I’ve really enjoyed the interview! I was just over at your website looking at the WIPs. Purr and Lace escpecially caught my interest. I love any feline shifter!
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Diance - I just wanted to come buy and say hi. I have both of your books in my TBR pile. Hopefully I can get them read this month:)
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lol, I know exactly what you mean about ideas popping into your head just as you fall to sleep. I’ve gotten to the point I have to get up and write it down or I won’t be able to fall asleep easily and can’t remember it right in the morning
Okay, on to the questions:
What was your least favorite subject to research in your historical stories? On the reverse, what was your favorite to research?
If you had to name one non-paranormal favorite author who would it be and in what genre?
Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions
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Hi Lynda and Greta! Thanks for stopping by.Diane
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Hi Sarai, I have only attempted two historicals and still have them “on the shelf” for now. When I began researching their eras, I got so caught up in the research I thought I would never get to the story. I was so uptight about every little detail that I practically wore myself out. Guess that’s why they are still on the shelf. LOL. As far as non-paranormal authors, I have a lot but I have to say that Nora Robers (and JD Robb) got me hooked on romance novels. I loved the Chesapeake Bay series from Nora Roberts.
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Hi Diane,
The series sounds great!
Just wondered if you perfer series or stand alone for your own reading pleasure?
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Congratulations to you on your success! I enjoyed reading the interview and learning more about you and your stories.
My questions is:
Has any real people been an inspiration for a character in one of your stories?
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Oh, and I wanted to say good luck with the historicals. I’m crossing my fingers for you and hope they find a home soon.
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Do you have an image in your mind of any actors that could portray your characters. If so, who?
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Great interview. This is the first I have heard of your series and it sounds great. I cant wait to pick up a copy of the books.
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Sounds like an interesting read!
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1 Already subscribed.
2 Already friends on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.
3 BBB is on my blog roll: http://marniecolette.blogspot.com/ - This is new so truthfully not sure there are many people reading - have to be honest.
4 Already a member of The Blood Bank, username is Marnie Colette.
5 Shared you with my friends on MySpace.
Diane - Welcome. My question to you. If you could pick the perfect story to write yourself in as the main character/Heroine - what would it be like? Paranormal, mystery, historical, futurist? What traits would your hero have?
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I loved this interview. I was really excited when you said you had ten more stories to come in your series.LOL I hate when a series i’m enjoying ends.
I am already a bbb bloodbank member.
Debby
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I enjoyed the interview and added Bitten my books to my blog http://luckyrosiescreations.blogspot.com/
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I follow on Twitter.
mysticconn
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I added Diane’s blog to my blogroll.
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Bitten by Books is on my blogroll.
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Hi everyone. Sorry unable to get to this at work so I’m finally able to get back on. For the rest of the questions..I love series just to see what happens to everyone involved. As for real people for my characters…I really don’t know. When I began writing the series I just kept and image I created in my head for Trigg. About a year later I came across a pic of a guy who was exactly what I had in my head. See the book trailer for Midight Reborn for his picture. diane
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Diane you said that it’s like your right there walking along with your characters, so do you have a favorite character and if their story had ended would you put them in another book just so you could continue writting them?
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CONGRATS DONNA S! You have won the prize pack and gift card! I will see if Rachel has your email address and/or you can email me at diane@dmcentire.com with t-shirt size requested and snail mail address. Thanks to everyone for participating.
diane
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