Books, Diane Solomon author, Fiction, Romantic suspense novels

Another author interview question

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Another Author Interview Question

Here is another question I recently answered while promoting my new novel, “Eva; a riveting romantic suspense with a supernatural twist.” 

CHECK OUT EVA HERE

When you write a novel, are you a plotter? Or are you a seat of your pants writer?

I am definitely a plotter. I lay it all out in advance. First, I tend to brainstorm with my wonderful husband Mark Carey, and he’s a brilliant thinker and writer. Then as I’m getting down into the details, I scribble down the jist of each scene on a postcard, and then pin the cards up on a large corkboard. Then I can move the scenes around as needed to get the structure and pacing right. I spend a long time on character development, even down to drawing the family tree, deciding each character’s backstory, their likes and dislikes, what their tragedies were, etc. How they became who they are.

But then the real fun starts! When I write the first draft, I just let go of everything; I try not to edit myself in the first draft. And as I’m sinking more and more into each character, I find they take over my fingers on the keyboard or my voice as I’m speaking into the mic for voice recognition.

This is the part I love the most; they write the book to a great extent! If I’m deeply involved with the character, it is similar to acting (my first career was as a singer and actor in the UK). As I begin a scene, I know what is going to happen, in general, and what I need to achieve in that scene. But what the characters actually say, and the things they do is a continual surprise. It can be delightful! Sometimes I find I pull sharply out of the moment when something unexpected occurs. I read what I wrote and say out loud, “Oh that’s cool!” How to explain this? I get the distinct feeling that I’ve opened up a channel to some creative source out there in the universe. As if there is an ocean of creativity we can all access.

I hope I answered the question. I’m a plotter, but I let it rip and let it flow in the first draft. It is enormous fun!

 

 

Books, Diane Solomon author

Author interview questions

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Author Interview Questions

With all the promotion for my new novel, “Eva; a riveting romantic suspense with a supernatural twist,”  I have had a chance to answer some fascinating questions posed to me by book bloggers.

CHECK OUT EVA HERE

Is there any part of the story of Eva to which you relate, from your own life?

Absolutely. My first career was in show business in England. I was a singer, and songwriter, and actress, and had my own variety show on BBC television. Then I enjoyed another 15 years or so of traveling around the world entertaining. With that came a goldfish bowl that you have to experience to understand. It sounds glamorous: the TV appearances, the radio interviews, the press coverage, singing in front of people (I did love that!), the nice clothes, the money… But it comes with the price of a loss of privacy and space. In the first few years, when I was recognized all the time, I’d pop down to the grocery store, where people often felt free to make all kinds of strange comments like, “You’re not as pretty as you are on the television.” Or “You’re fatter than we thought you were.” Seriously.

Eva, the protagonist of the novel, keeps to herself, and tries to keep her magical gift a secret. When inevitably word gets out, she is undated by media and requests from around the world. Her life is no longer her own.  Although I have no magical gift (how I wish!) I think I relate to her loathing of attention from my show business experience.

Do you write to a schedule? Or do you write when you feel like it?

That’s a good question. I know most career authors work a certain amount every day whether the mood strikes them or not.  My writing is not structured in this way. I tend to be an all or nothing person, meaning when I do something I love I do it 125%. When I’m working on a book, whether on my own or with my husband Mark Carey, I tend to get on a roll. It’s hard for me to stop. Laundry doesn’t get done, the weeding doesn’t get done, I forget to eat. And I can write for hours, even in the middle of the night. I’ve never been very disciplined about following a routine; it might be better if I did. That’s what the little voice in my head tells me, in a chastening tone. But we are who we are, and we do things the way they work for us. And I had the time of my life writing Eva.

 

 

Book Reviews, Books, Diane Solomon author, Romantic suspense novels, Uncategorized

a 5-star review from Readers Favorites!

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I am jazzed. I just got an editorial review from Readers Favorite, giving Eva five stars. Woo-hoo!

 

WATCH BOOK TRAILER

 “Eva is an enthralling and well-crafted novel that seamlessly weaves together a captivating blend of supernatural, romantic suspense, and family drama elements.”  by Demetria Head for Readers’ Favorite 

 

“Eva by Diane Solomon sets the stage for an intriguing journey of self-discovery and uncovering hidden family secrets. The narrative opens with Eva, a young woman who stumbles upon a long-lost letter from her late Aunt Sophie, revealing her father’s existence, William Hastings III. This unexpected revelation sparks a series of emotions and questions, prompting Eva to seek out her father and uncover the truth about her family’s past. Set in Pine Hill, near Stonington, Connecticut, Eva navigates through her emotions and the complexities of her newfound identity while also receiving support from her best friend, Jamie. As the story progresses, readers are drawn into a world of potential romance between Eva and Dr. Michael Lowery, the compassionate veterinarian. But the question is, can Eva live with her new identity without compromising her safety?

Throughout Eva, the characters are vividly portrayed, and supernatural elements are skillfully woven into the plot, providing an additional layer of intrigue. Eva’s connection with animals, particularly her ability to communicate with them on an emotional level, adds a mystical aspect to the story that sets it apart from typical romantic suspense novels. The pacing is well-balanced, with Diane Solomon gradually revealing the story’s secrets while maintaining the reader’s engagement. Each chapter ends with a compelling cliffhanger, making it difficult to put the book down. Overall, Eva is an enthralling and well-crafted novel that seamlessly weaves together a captivating blend of supernatural, romantic suspense, and family drama elements.”

 

My thanks to Demetria for a lovely review!

 

 

 

 

 

Book Reviews, Books, Diane Solomon author, Romantic suspense novels, Uncategorized

EVA: sold 105 books in eight hours!

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EVA: a riveting romantic suspense with a supernatural twist

We are jazzed: we have 27 five-star reviews so far on Amazon, and sold 105 copies since midnight last night! 

I am thrilled that people are enjoying my new novel. Read the first three chapters here: EVA chapters

REVIEW SNIPPETS:

***** “a thrilling romance with a paranormal twist”

***** “Eva is a triumph of storytelling that reminds us of the indomitable spirit of the human soul.”

***** “a captivating blend of romance, suspense, and the supernatural that kept me on the edge of my seat.”

***** “Thank you, Diane Solomon, for producing something that provides a beautiful escape and leaves you filled with inexplicable joy.”

***** “honest, magical, spiritual, thought-provoking!”

***** “a poignant and captivating novel that explores the depths of human resilience and the power of redemption.”

***** “Eva is an enchanting tale that blends romance, suspense, and the mystical”

***** “Diane Solomon’s writing captivates from the first page, weaving a mesmerizing journey of self-discovery, love, and resilience. “

***** “this book is an absolute must-read!”

***** “one of those books that you don’t want to put down.”

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