I have the honor today of interviewing one of my all time favorite authors who happens to have one of the best series out there in Christian fiction. First, let's get to know Dianne Miley and then we'll get to the giveaway. Let the interview begin!
I grabbed this part from Ms. Miley's site which plays a lot into her books as you will be able to tell after reading this series of interviews with her.
"I grew up in northeastern Ohio as the oldest of four children and lived there most of my life. Recently, my husband and I moved to coastal South Carolina. We love the balmy weather.
Growing up, I always loved to write. I began with poetry in second grade. During high school, I wrote for the year book and school paper. I took creative writing classes because I enjoyed making up stories. Now I flex my imagination through inspiring tales of romance and mystery. Best of all, I’ve found a way to share my faith through fictional characters in a fun romance.
At age 16, I began a romance of my own. I met Chip and we’ve been together for over 25 years now. We’re thankful for a happy marriage – complete with faith, conflict, plot, and all kinds of characters!"
Val: I know you and your husband Chip have been together for 25 years. would you mind sharing how you met?
Dianne: We met on a blind date! No kidding – I was 16 and he was 17. During the summer after 10th grade, a friend fixed me up with her boyfriend’s buddy, Chip. Although we went to different schools, we were high school sweethearts. We’ve been together ever since.
Val: Awwwwww, a real life true love story, I love those and you two are one of the reasons I still believe in love!
Val: In your first book in the Charleston series, Lilacs for Laura, what were your thoughts as you were writing this book?
Dianne: When am I going to get this right? Do I really have to make bad things happen to my lovely characters? How fun would it be I kept Jake’s killer a mystery? And finally… I can’t wait to write Rachel’s story because I written this one fifteen times!
Val: I loved Lilacs for Laura because A) I love Nascar and B) that is one hunky hero you have there in Brett.
Val: Before I get into the blurb and giveaway, can you tell us where to find you online?
Dianne: Right now you can find me at www.diannemiley.com. I hope to become more active with social media in the future.
Val: So there you go my faithful followers, just click that linky to get a hint as to what tomorrows interview will be about. :)
Laura James loves working in her family’s flower shop, but has to ward off advances from her brother-in-law. She distrusts men but cannot deny her attraction when she stumbles into Brett Mitchell. Drawn to one another despite their conflicting goals, Laura longs for a secure future in her Ohio hometown, while Brett yearns for adventure and an escape from his abusive father. When he lands a NASCAR job in North Carolina, Laura fears she will never see him again.
Devastated, she withdraws just when she needs help most. Her brother-in-law is murdered and all evidence points to Laura. Brett knows members of her family, as well as the town gossip share motive and opportunity. Will he return to help clear her? Who will reveal the killer in a shocking twist? And will Laura ever find security in love?
Now on to the giveaway. To enter to win a print copy of Lilacs for Laura, please follow this blog, ask Dianne a question or leave a comment on her post and don't forget to leave your email address so I have a way to contact you should you be the lucky winner. Remember this is just Day one of a 4 day interview with the entire series. Good luck and I'd like to thank Dianne for giving my readers a chance to win Lilacs for Laura. I will have the winner on June 22.
14 comments:
I love her post, when you write, do you listen to music? Any certain genre/type? Are your characters in any way like you? edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom
Honestly Val, did you REALLY say you like NASCAR? I never ever would have guessed!
Dianne - did you really write this story 15 times? I find that I can't finish it once cause I am too busy editing what I've already written then I get frustrated and throw in the invisible towel. How do you keep motivated?
I follow you blog via gfc.
Hi Diane! If you could invite any three authors (past or present)to dinner who would you invite?
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
Lilacs for Laura sounds interesting. Do you determine what your characters do or do they tell you what they will do?
smg5775@yahoo.com
follower of blog (She)
I follow this blog. Great interview. Lilacs for Laura sound wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.Thank you. augustlily06(AT)aim(DOT)com.
Hi Dianne,
So nice to meet another still married to her childhood sweetheart!
Lovely post and I'm craaazzzzy over your book cover.
I like 'pretty'!
Mimii
Krystal,
When I'm writing, I don't generally listen to music except for birds and nature outside my window. I love country music, but the lyrics distract me. So if I want some music, I listen to ocean sounds or an instrumental creativity CD.
Tami,
Well, I actually wrote 3 completely different versions of the book and then revised at least a dozen times. The first version had Laura and Brett married on page one and then on their honeymoon. So these were major rewrites.
To stay motivated, my best advice is to create characters you love in a place you love. When you fall in love with the story, you just can't give up. Then get into their heads and get the story out.
Edits are your best friend and your worst enemy. Don't stop and go back to edit. Just press forward until 'The End'. THEN go back and revise, revise, revise to make it the best story you can.
Mama Bunny,
Love it! :) Three authors... that's tough. But here we go:
1. Jan Karon - I loved the Mitford series and emulated Jan's writing for Crystal Falls.
2. Nora Roberts - She's the best of the best and I'd love to sit down and talk to her.
3. Terri Blackstock - She writes very much like me and I'd love a chance to swap stories.
She,
Since I'm the author, I get to determine what my characters do. At least to begin with... of course once they get a life of their own, they begin telling me what they're going to do. When I'm smart, I listen! :)
Emma,
Thank you for writing. Good luck with the giveaway!
Dianne
Mimi,
Congratulations on your childhood sweetheart marriage too!
I love pretty too and was thrilled with the artist's rendition for my books. The same artist designed all three books.
Thanks for the advice Dianne!
Love reading all the comments back from Dianne to everyone. Everybody be sure to keep an eye on Tami, there are going to be great things coming from that lady!
Short quick story. I entered to win a book by Dianne Miley and you had to guess the Toby Keith song that would go along with Violets for Vanessa. I entered like a million different times and got to know Dianne a little. We both hated to see that end and now every time I hear Toby Keith, I think of Dianne and Violets for Vanessa. lol
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