If you haven't had a chance to read Danielle's Sorrow's series I suggest you do, especially if you love horror. I continue to be impressed with Danielle's novels because they are not only well-edited quality books but they are entertaining as well. Pick one up and you'll never put it down.
Because of that and also because she has a new book coming out that I simply CANNOT wait to review I decided to interview her in the hopes she will send me the mobi file. Right Dani?
Begin Interview :)
So, Dani, what inspired you to write Sorrow’s Turn?
Since it is book 3 in my series, I needed something a little different. And, since my series deals with an exorcist, I can’t make every exorcism the exact same thing. So, I had to choose something that would be unique. Well, I was watching The Twilight Zone one evening and there was an episode about this man who came back to life at his funeral. That begged me to ask: What if a demon could inhabit a dead body? What would happen? And, off on the journey with Jimmy I went.
Don’t give away any secrets, but what’s this book about?
Defrocked priest, Jimmy Holiday, must once again pull together his unusual arsenal to fight a foe that is both familiar and foreign. Will his usual bag of tricks work?
God I hope so. I just love Jimmy and he's cute too. I've always wondered, how did you come up with the series title?
It started with the first book in the series, Sorrow’s Point. I needed a name for a small town that would be believeable, and yet, be slightly creepy. One day while I was driving, it popped into my head. So, for each book thereafter, I’ve kept up the Sorrow’s part. And, since this is book 3, this is the turn in the series.
So Edgar Allen Poeish. Do you have plans for the next book yet? *fingers crossed*
This is book 3 of 5. So, two more in this series, and I have lots of plans of other books. I seem to keep getting ideas from random places.
Yea! Once I'm done with this one, I can't wait for the next. On that note, how long does it take you to write a novel?
It depends. Mostly on the book and the character. Jimmy, I can usually finish one in 6 months. (That includes all revisions from beta readers.) For other books, it has taken me longer.
What do you think makes a good story?
Characters that make you care. If you don’t care about what is happening to the characters, the story is flat.
I agree. I love your characters. Do you have a day job?
Sort of? I am an editorial assistant for Ellysian Press when I am not writing and promoting.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
The morning is the time I am mostly online. I do all of my promotion in the morning. My work for Ellyisan Press depends on when submissions come in and whether there is news to post on social media. I try to do that in the morning too. Afternoons used to be my main writing time, though lately I have been writing right before bed.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
I can’t get the words to flow typing. So, I write an entire book longhand. Then, have to take the time to type it all up. Then, I get to revise. It greatly increases the amount of time it takes me to complete a book. Unfortunately, no one else can read my writing, so I can’t hand it off for extra help.
Oh, wow. Almost like channeling. Do you work from an outline or just write?
I just write. In my mind, and sometimes in notes, I will have thoughts about my characters scribbled down, or the event that sets off what will happen in the story jotted down somewhere, but writing from an outline doesn’t work for me. I tried it once. LOL. Ended up with a novel complete at 15k words. (Which is not a novel at all, but kind of funny that an outline hemmed me in that much.)
How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?
Lots of social media. FB and Twitter. Lately, ads seem to be the thing, but they are tough for horror and dark fantasy.
Fun Questions:
If you were a car, what kind would you be?
Construction yellow Shelby Mustang. Charcoal gray interior. And, definitely stick shift.
I can see you thought about that one. White wine or red?
Red. The color of blood. ;)
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Vanilla or chocolate?
Chocolate
Dogs or cats?
I am allergic to both. So, lizards?
Sleep in or get up early?
I used to love to sleep in. I have somehow lost the ability. So, even though I hate getting up early, I do because my eyes pop open.
BIOGRAPHY
Named one of the Examiner’s 2014 Women in Horror: 93 Horror Authors you Need to Read Right Now, Danielle DeVor has been spinning the spider webs, or rather, the keyboard for more frights and oddities. She spent her early years fantasizing about vampires and watching “Salem’s Lot” way too many times. When not writing and reading about weird things, you will find her hanging out at the nearest coffee shop, enjoying a mocha frappuccino.
Links
Webpage: http://www.danielledevor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielle.devor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sammyig