Promotional Wednesday: Diane Dean White Offers a New Book!

My review of Texting Mr. Right:
Not only does Ms. White have a beautiful cover, but the book is a fun, romantic read that consists of a present day dilemma many young people find themselves. What could be more delightful than for the reader to take a long afternoon and curl up by a fireplace and your fav snack for an enjoyable few hours? Place the characters in a "lake" setting and let them not only come to realize they're in love, but have to decide who will give up their career for the other. Or will they? Well written, characters that are life-like, and a setting that places you firmly in the story world.You'll not be disappointed with White's newest book! Recommended.

Diane's offering one e-copy of Texting Mr. Right for someone who comments and leaves their email addy for contact. 

Now read on to find out about Diane's writing life!

How long have you known that you were a writer?  Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?
I started writing in sixth grade on an old black manual Royal. It was the best way I could express myself, or burst! I wrote short-stories and had a book of poetry printed to give family-friends when I was in high school. It’s always been a big part of my life. I started newspaper reporting in the early 70’s and continued to do stringer work, freelancing, family research, and donor appeal writing for non-profit organizations when the kids were young and in school.


What is the genre you write in?  
I enjoy women’s fiction, with suspense and romance. Most of my stories take place in present day, however I’m writing a Christmas novella that is in 1951, and I’m enjoying the research and time period very much. I’d like to do something in the late 1800’s and maybe that will surface sometime. A number of gals I critique for write in that time period, I enjoy it.

How do you spend your writing days?  Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day?  Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?
I rise early and spend time on my computer each morning. I often write until noon and then take a break.

• My first novel, Carolina in the Morning, took a little over a year. 
• Then I took several years and wrote a weekly column for a monthly magazine, and then started On a Summer Night. It took three years, and 
• This Side of Heaven, also a novel, hopefully will be out this winter, and took over two years. 
• My ebook, Stories from a Porch Swing took a few months, but those were short-stories that had already been written. 
• Texting Mr. Right took a couple of months. I stuck to that one, it was 30,000 words and I had a deadline with the pub. 

I don’t set a word count each day; rather write until I feel like it’s a good place to stop. Sometimes that ranges between four to six thousand words.


What is the spiritual message in your latest book?  What can readers expect to get from reading it? 
This is Christian romance and more romance than I usually write. I tend to add suspense and other drama to my longer stories. I tried to convey to readers that the couple, although Christian’s, continue to fight the battle that many young people do in our progressive world…it’s easy to give into human desires if we know someone above isn’t watching….but knowing what the Lord expects of us, gives us the strength to fight those, whatever they maybe.



You recently had another book published.  Would you take this time to describe it to us?  How and where can readers buy your books?
On a Summer Night came out almost a year ago. Unfortunately, the publisher didn’t make it into an ebook, and had a high price on it. I felt terrible because I’d work on it for three years. It’s a story that takes place in the mid 60’s with two girls who take a trip after high school, to Florida. What they see one night remains with them and haunts them.

The story comes present day when the main character’s uncle leaves her his Florida home and she has to come to face her demons and confess a truth to her husband when they retire and go South. I loved working on this book and it has a lot of twists and turns. The message is healing, faith and redemption. It’s sold on Amazon or through the publisher.


Where do you get ideas?  Character names?  Do you find your characters similar to you in any way?
I try to think of different names and sometime incorporate names. Our middle granddaughter’s name is Anna and our son is Brian. I used Brianna in one chapter, and nobody caught on. I enjoy using names from the areas where I write. My ideas come from simple thoughts, or a meaningful experience, but none of my characters are like me, I make them better! J


Lol. Do you ever feel like giving up?  Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer.  How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through?  Who’s inspired you the most?
I’ve never feel like giving up. I’m learning different styles. Doing my first novella was fun, but I was under stress with a deadline and it was hard. I’m self publishing my Christmas novella, and not dealing with a publisher! I love writing and sharing my faith through words. I think the most discouraging time was after writing Carolina in the Morning, which takes place near our former home area in South Carolina, and with all the book-signings and interviews, etc. with that, after I joined ACFW I learned I was writing the wrong way. I didn’t know about weasel words, POV or back-story. Yet the book has been reformatted into an ebook and continues to sell. Being told you aren’t writing correctly is hard, but I got through that, took advice, worked on my manuscript and helped others to work on their stories.

I enjoyed learning on Scribes and continue to work with critique partners.

I have to wonder how our famous writers from years past made it without the “new rules.” I think what I enjoy most are reviews that say I make people feel as if they’re right with the characters and living the story. Some of my favorite authors are Eugenia Price, Victoria Holt, Barbara Taylor Bradford and scads of Christian authors.


Amen, Diane! And I love some of those authors too, Diane. Would you explain how you “chose” (or was chosen by) a publisher? Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?
Since I’ve written well over three-hundred short-stories, a number have appeared in various magazines, books and even a Japanese text and work book for college bound kids. Many stories were requested to be used by publishers, and my two books that aren’t self published were accepted by the publishers I submitted to.

NO, I’m not sitting back and relaxing. I relax when I’m writing and in my imaginary groove. A lot of writers are being published traditionally and self-publishing. My hubby formatted my book of short stories recently released, Stories from a Porch Swing, and he’ll do City Sidewalks which should soon be done.


Impressive! Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out?   Anything else you’d like to share?  Promotional information?
I had a very active website, but my webhost became ill and now I’m in the middle of trying to redo that with my hubby. I do have several places you can visit me, I’ll list those below. I’d like to thank you for taking time in your own busy writing career to share my story with your viewers, Carole. God Bless~

Where to buy Diane Dean White's Books
Amazon

Texting Mr. Right YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4EeL7PDAeM&feature=youtu.be

Facebook

Diane's Facebook author page

Blog: Simple Pleasures with Diane

Don't forget to leave a comment and your email addy for a chance to win her new book!

Blessings