Welcome all.
Today I’m very lucky to be
interviewing Diana Tyler (YA fantasy) and Diana Anderson-Tyler (women's
fiction) author of Age of the Ashers; Armor for Orchids; lots of fitness books
for women!
ME: Hi Diana, thank you for
agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your
background?
DIANA: I was born and raised in
East Texas and majored in screenwriting at the University of Texas at Austin. I
love writing and reading, of course, and enjoy being outdoors as much as
possible, playing sports, and lifting weights. I'm a bit of a tom boy! I'm also
a huge movie buff and particularly enjoy Marvel movies and historical epics.
ME: What genre do you write?
DIANA: YA fantasy and women's contemporary
ME: What are you working on at the minute?
DIANA: I'm currently working on Book 4 of The Orchid Series and
editing Books 2 and 3 of The Petros Chronicles.
ME: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
DIANA: Here's an excerpt from my
next release, which is Book 2 of The Petros Chronicles titled War of the
Ashers: “I wondered when you’d come,” said Leto as she held a pail to one of
the stone dolphin’s mouths and collected water. “I was beginning to think you’d
found another desert bloom to coddle and charm.” She watched from the corner of
her eye as the golden wings of Hermes’ sandals fluttered into focus, flapping fast
as hummingbird wings above her head.
“Desert blooms are beautiful, but
their allure stops there.” Hermes slowly lowered himself onto the fountain’s
pillar which connected all six of the dolphin spouts. “You, my darling, have
far surpassed the ranks of ordinary fauna, whose beauty reaches only eyes and
nose.”
“And what creature do you compare
me to now? A scorpion, or horned viper?”
Leto laughed as she regarded her
reflection in the water. Judging by looks alone, one would think she was one of
the most beneficent of goddesses, Hestia perhaps. As a little girl she’d been
nicknamed Kallisto for her silky white hair, ivory skin, and eyes as a gray as
a turtle dove. Her beauty, Hermes said, was her greatest ally. Who could help
but trust her? Anyone who looked upon her would expect nothing but divine
secrets and primordial blessings to trickle from her cherry-colored lips.
“Your name is Mania,” said
Hermes. Then he kissed her, his cold lips like melting snow against her own.
“For you are Fury.”
ME: Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead
character from your most recent book?
DIANA: Jennifer Lawrence if she was younger. Chloe is 18.
Regrettably, I’m not up to date on my teenaged actresses!
ME: While you were writing, do you ever feel as if you were one of
the characters?
DIANA: Sometimes yes. It depends on the scene. In truly emotional
scenes, I try my best to connect with the character by thinking back on how I
felt and/or reacted in similar situations. Then I channel those emotions into
the prose.
Me: When did you decide to become a writer?
DIANA: I claimed, as many children do, to want to be a thousand
different things when I grew up, including archaeologist, marine biologist, and
barrel racer (a horseback sport here in the south!), but I always maintained
that I would “write on the side.” I wish
I knew what made me want to be a writer, but I’m convinced it was a proclivity
I was born with. My grandpa was an actor, drama teacher, and playwright, so
maybe it’s in the genes. I also wish there was a romantic story I could share,
something about how I listened to a TED Talk that changed my life by
encouraging me to pursue my dreams, or how I ran into Stephen King near his
home in Maine and showed him a short story that he thought was fantastic and
I’ve written ever since. But my story’s pretty boring, unfortunately. I’ve
always loved writing more than anything else and, despite countless doubts,
fears, and frustrations, I’ve kept at it.
ME: Which writers inspire you?
DIANA: Steven Pressfield, Margaret George, Liane Moriarty, Michael
Crichton, and F. Scott Fitzgerald
ME: Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?
DIANA: I'm a laptop girl! I use Microsoft Word, which is pretty old
school these days!
ME: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer to just see
where an idea takes you?
DIANA: I do a blend of both. I typically sketch out a
three-act-structure outline (hearkening back to my screenwriting training), as
well as a rough character sketch for each of my main characters. Then I jump
in. I find it's much more enjoyable for me if I'm surprised each time I write.
Before a scene, however, I do write down the scene's objective, as well as its
problem, resolution, and valence shift. Then I know it's not just a filler
scene with no purpose.
ME: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors.
DIANA: Yes! I make it a point to read every night. I think reading
is one of the best ways to improve your own writing. My favorite authors are
all the ones who inspire me, listed above.
ME: What book are you reading now?
DIANA: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
ME: Do you think that giving books away free works and why?
DIANA: It depends on who the
recipients are. If they're freebie hunters who gobble up any and all free
books, then no. They probably won't even get around to ever reading your book.
But if they're readers who genuinely enjoy your genre, then absolutely! It's a
great way to generate word-of-mouth buzz for your book.
ME: How do you relax?
DIANA: Reading, playing board games, going to the movies, hanging
out with my family
ME: What is your favorite quote?
DIANA: Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all
obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things
distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.
Thomas Carlyle
ME: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
DIANA: I love this piece of advice I from Joanna Penn: Find a
balance between creativity and consumption.
Don’t feel like you have to
choose writing mode over read/research/learn mode or vice versa. I strongly
believe that writers should be in the practice of writing as close to daily as
possible, so letting other activities – even advantageous ones – get in the way
of creating is detrimental.
Even if you have a lot to learn
about the publishing process, don’t wait to write until you’ve figured out your
game plan. Even if you have to research The Revolutionary War for your next
novel, don’t wait to start outlining until you’ve read your mountain of library
books. Even if you want to write three novels in the next three months, don’t neglect
your fiction-reading time, as reading fine work makes us finer artists.
I’ve found that balancing
creating time with consuming time keeps me productive and allows me to learn
and digest new info and material at a manageable rate.
ME: What does your writing process look like?
DIANA: Outline the minimum required amount, write the first draft,
edit edit edit, coffee, coffee, coffee :)
ME: What is your least favorite part of the publishing / writing
process?
DIANA: Marketing, for sure!
ME: Is there a certain type of scene that's harder for you to write
than others? Love? Action? Racy?
DIANA: Action. There are so many intricate parts that compose a
great action scene. You have to choreograph it so it's easy to visualize, while
also including key sensory details and homing in on the point-of-view character's
emotions and physiology.
ME: Did you learn anything from writing your book(s) and what was
it?
DIANA: I've learned that writing is a lot like working out. The
more you do it, the stronger (better) you get and the more confident you become!
ME: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family
members.
DIANA: Joanna Penn of thecreativepenn.com. I don't know her
personally but her podcasts are a constant source of inspiration, motivation,
and encouragement.
ME: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and
why?
DIANA: Homer. The Iliad and The Odyssey made me fall in love with
Greek mythology. I would love to hear what his writing process was like, as
well as what his advice is for aspiring writers!
ME: What is your favorite theme/genre to write about?
DIANA: This is tough! I don't think I have a favorite, but I do
love Greek mythology. I don't think I'll ever grow tired of writing about it!
ME: What is your favorite theme/genre to read?
DIANA: I love historical fiction, epic fantasy, and chick lit as a
guilty pleasure.
ME: What secret talents do you have?
DIANA: None! So boring! I am pretty strong though. I can deadlift
two and half times my bodyweight ;-).
ME: If you had a superpower, what would it be?
DIANA: Either invisibility or telekinesis.
ME: Where is one place you want to visit that you haven't been
before?
DIANA: Greece!
ME: How can readers discover more about you and you work? i.e.
Website: Blog: Facebook: Twitter: Lnkedin: Pinterest: Amazon Author Page:
Smashwords: Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.) Goodreads.
DIANA:
ME: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t
included?
DIANA: N/A
ME: Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy
schedule to take part in this interview.
DIANA: Thank you so much for having me! It's been a pleasure!
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