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Interview Dee Carney + Giveaway
Filed in Dee Carney , Interview , The Latin Lover Posted on November 23, 2010 @ 7:00 am
19 comments
We are very happy to feature author Dee Carney here at BLI today. Her latest novel Hunger Aroused was released with Carina Press and we are happy to have her here today talking a bit about herself and her books. Please give her a warm welcome.
BLI: Dee can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
Dee: Oh! The dreaded job interview question that no one ever knows really how to answer. Lol I can tell you I’m an avid reader who loves to cook. I cut my teeth on reading every type of horror you can imagine while growing up, and only in my late twenties did I discover the joy of reading romances. I currently reside in Georgia with my husband, two dogs and a cat. When not reading, writing or cooking, I’m at my day job as a nurse.
BLI: Describe a typical day of writing? Are you a planner or pantser?
Dee: I don’t write every day. I know the standard advice to all aspiring writers is to write every day. I work Monday through Friday, full-time, and quite frankly, by the end of my day I’m dog tired. As a result, I spend the weekdays doing promotion, web site updates, etc. and reserve my weekends for writing. On Saturdays and Sundays, I commit to writing a minimum of 8 hours each day. Often, I end up writing for more than 12 hours. If, however, I don’t feel like writing on a Saturday or Sunday, instead choosing to curl up with a good book or with my husband, that’s what I’m going to do. If my dogs want to play, I put the laptop down. The story will be written when it’s written and not a minute before then.
As for my style, I’m a plotster. I start off with knowing who the hero is and a little about his background. Then I try to find a heroine who compliments him. Once I have an engaging opening scene where they are thrust together, I have no clue what’s going to happen next. Often I’ll simply write, allowing them to tell the story. If I get stuck though, I’ll take the time to write out the high points of what I see happening in the remainder of the story. If, once I start writing again, the story heads in a different direction, I let it.
BLI: What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?
Dee: That’s a tough one! I think readers are looking to be entertained. They read for pleasure, and are forgiving if a story has a few flaws so long as the overall story fed their need for satisfaction. A real Book Lover, on the other hand, becomes invested in the story and its characters. They don’t necessarily want an author to take it easy on the characters or the plot. They won’t forgive an inconsistency in the world building. They’re the people who can recall the name and author of a book years after reading it, simply by some oddball, threadbare description.
BLI: Could you tell our readers what they can expect of Hunger Aroused?
Dee: As I mentioned earlier, I grew up reading horror, so my stories tend to be gritty. I don’t write about sunshine and roses, instead choosing to work with characters who are life-hardened, dealing with issues that can make or break a person. Corin is such a vampire. The love that develops between him and Jasmine is earned.
BLI: Hunger Aroused is about vampires and specific vampire society and rules. In what do you think your approach to vampires is different or brings anything new to the table?
Dee: Without giving away too many spoilers, a reader can expect the old rules about vampires to be broken. My vampires aren’t undead, sunlight shy, creatures of the night. While they have the gift of longevity, as Corin explains, that kind of life isn’t always ideal. Their society is evolving, developing rules of governing that are antiquated; Corin and Jasmine meet as a result of having to challenge one of those rules.
BLI: Now I know this is hardly a fair question, but we haven’t promised to go easy on you, did we? ;-p Can you tell us 3 reasons why people should read Hunger Aroused?
Dee:
1.It’s different from your typical vampire romance. This isn’t a human and vampire trying to figure out how to stay together–this is a vampire executioner trying to figure out how to get away with not killing the female vampire he’s falling for.
2.There’s only one cure to ease the pain Jasmine is suffering as she goes through transition. It involves hot, sweaty bodies. Many, many times.
3.I somehow got talked into writing another book behind Hunger Aroused. You’ll want to keep up with who all the players are, right?
BLI: Could you give us a short presentation of the hero/heroine of Hunger Aroused twitter style? (140 characters tops) (they can do the presentation themselves if you’d like ;-p)
Dee:
Corin:
Word. RT @Council: Unauthorized vamps must be terminated with extreme prejudice.
Jasmine:
I feel like death warmed over. Someone send chocolate. And a hot man.
Corin:
@Jasmine I’ve been sent to kill you, so you’re going to die. End of story. Sorry. (I’m not really sorry.)
Jasmine:
@Corin WTF? I will *cut* you. {Block/Report Spam}
BLI: You have written contemporary romances and paranormal romances, do you have a preference?
Dee: I will admit that writing paranormal is so much easier for me. If my plot needs the sun to be blue, voila, it’s blue! lol There are mating calls, supernatural powers/strength and heightened senses in paranormal romance; in contemporary, building a romance around the every day is simply more difficult. However, that being said, after a while I yearn to write about a couple who are going through every day problems, yet find a way over those every day obstacles.
BLI: How did you discover the paranormal universe/genre?
Dee: I grew up reading Dean Koontz, Stephen King, HP Lovecraft and more in the horror genre. Truthfully, I’m more at ease with immersing myself in these types of made up worlds. I didn’t start reading romances until about four years ago. Of course, now I’m hooked. Paranormal romance just combines the best of both worlds for me.
BLI: And now the eternal question/debate: werewolves or vampires? And why?
Dee: Yes.
I refuse to pick one over the other when I can have both. And yes, I’d want both. A vampire for the night and a werewolf for the day. Perfection. (Have I mentioned that I write ménages? In fact…now there’s an idea for a third book in this series!)
BLI: In your bio it is written that if you are not writing, then you are curled up on your couch with a good book. What genres do you like to read and who are some of your must read authors?
Dee: I prefer paranormal romances of any kind: vampires, werewolves, Fae, angels, mermaids, whatever. Must read authors for me are Nalini Singh and Joey W. Hill. I’m also the type of person who can find great enjoyment in reading a cookbook. I demand that an author wow me every single time or I have no problem dropping him or her.
BLI: What is next on your schedule? What shall we look forward to?
Dee: I have a cougar (older woman/younger man) romance coming to Samhain next year, as well as short BDSM erotica piece coming to Ellora’s Cave. I’m currently writing the sequel to Hunger Aroused, as well as a shifter romance and an interracial contemporary erotica piece. There’s always something to work on!
BLI: If you could write under a pseudonym and try your hand at something completely different, what would you like to try to write?
Dee: Funny you should ask. I did adopt a third pen name (It’s a sekrit! Shh!) for the purpose of writing medical romances. I’m a nurse by day and that world is practically exploding with opportunities for tension and romance.
BLI: Could you tell our readers a little trivia about yourself, something that they wouldn’t know about you?
Dee: I write erotica under the pen name, Morgan Sierra. Morgan and Sierra are the names of my two dogs. (And yes, the dogs were around before the author was. lol)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~*Giveaway*~*~
Dee is offering an ebook copy of Hunger Aroused to 1 lucky commenter.
All you have to do is ask Dee a question
or leave a meaningful comment about the interview.
Please leave us a way to contact you
(email in blogger profile or twitter name-
no way to contact you – no entry).
This giveaway is open to everyone including international readers.
Giveaway ends on Saturday, December 4th and we will announce the winner on Sunday.
Good luck!
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Great interview! I love vampire and other paranormal romances and stories. I grew up reading great volumes of fairytales, such as Hans Christian Anderson and The Brothers Grimm. Like Dee, I also read lots of horror stories, such as Edgar Allen Poe, Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I didn't really get into reading romance until 9/11, when I did an abrupt switch to romance because I decided there was enough horror in the world and I couldn't take reading it anymore.
My question for Dee is not related to writing or books but I would like to know what is your specialty in nursing? 🙂
This sounds very good. I like how he's the one out to kill the vampires. Seems most of what I read lately the she is the hunter. I'd love to read this.
Enjoyed the interview as well.
Thanks.
Hello Dee. Great interview. I’m so glad to be reading about an author who has a full time job. If you could juggle work and writing then I will try to juggle it too. The plot of Hunger Aroused is intrigued me. It reminds me of my favorite show when I was a teenager “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and when she fell in love with a vampire. I would love to get my hands on Hunger Aroused and read it.
Ca4ac@yahoo.com
It's cool that the hunter is a guy and the female is the vampire. Sounds like a really interesting read. What part of a book do you like writing the most? Beginning, middle, or end?
Res498(AT)aol.com
@Sara — I started as an oncology nurse. Now I work as a research nurse. For about a year, I did both!
@Victoria, @L1a — thanks for stopping by and commenting!
@Rachel445 — I love writing the beginning of a story the best. I love learning all about the hero and heroine, and watching their story unfold. I get to be a voyeur during their "honeymoon phase".
The twitter exchange between Corin and Jasmine was priceless!
"@Corin WTF? I will *cut* you.
Still giggling.
Great interview, Dee! I love the covers and the story behind hunger aroused. I can't wait to pick it up and read it. Loved the twitter part! I'm a writer myself and blogger so I am quite the pantser myself.
Question: How long have you been writing? What made you want to write?
Hi 🙂
Thank you for the in-depth & interesting interview with Dee & thanks to Dee for sharing here.
I enjoyed learning more about Dee & her writing process.
Happy Thanksgiving!
All the best,
RKCharron
Thanks for the giveaway. Great giveaway. All your books sound really good. I would love to read them. I love reading about vampire romances and paranormal. I especially enjoyed Twilight. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
@Taryn – lol. Now you're making me giggle!
@Denyse – This past October marks three years that I've been writing for publication. My very first story–Soldier–was written in preparation for NaNoWriMo. I'd always wanted to write, and the November challenge seemed a great excuse to actually do it. Instead of jumping in with both feet, I wrote a 25K novella which was accepted for publication two months later.
@RK – Happy Thanksgiving back at ya! 🙂
@Tore – I'm afraid Twilight wasn't for me, but I hope to write a book one day that is as universally enjoyed as this one is.
Thanks for this interview. Your book sounds amazing. I love vampire romances, but there are so many of them out there that sometimes they blend in together. Your book sounds like you incorporated a lot of unique elements into their world, and that's what I like and have been looking for. Something to stand apart from all those other vamps 🙂 I can't wait to get ahold of your book
june111@att.net
Thanks for the interview. I love hearing and getting recommendations for new books to read. I love Paranormal books also they're the only kind I really read anymore. I love me some vampires so I like to change it up a little. I just read Blood Born and I'm about to start Vampire Empire. I'd love a chance to win your book. Please enter me in your contest! Thanks
Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for the great interview. 🙂
It was very interesting to read.
I have to admit that I love Dean Koontz and generally like reading horror/Crime Stories and Forensic Thrillers (Karin Slaughter, P.J. Tracy, John Connelly, Johnathan Kellerman etc), so the mere fact that Ms Carney was influenced by all that is guarantee enough that I will love this book! 🙂
I noticed (and I really approve of that) that Ms Carney said that she never writes just to write. If she doesn't feel like it, is uninspired or just not in the mood, she will not write and I think that is good because you never have to "force" it out of you.
However, I believe that as a writer there are pressures regarding deadlines etc. How difficult is that for a writer and her personally? How can they true to themselves and their muse AND keep their agents/publishers satisfied?
P.S.: I know it's a crappy question! 😛
I'd love to enter the contest.
yvantis[at]hotmail[dot]com
I love new spins on vampire lore so I;m definitely looking forward to reading your book. I find very interesting that you write in all these different genres or subgenres especially since it seems you like horror. Does it ever difficult to switch writing in different genres?
spettolij AT gmail DOT com
@Jolene – thanks! I really hope you enjoy it!
@Tanya – I haven't heard of either of those books, but I'll be certain to look them up. 🙂
@Kelly – Fortunately, I tend to keep myself in a position where I'm not writing to a deadline. The pressure would kill me! lol. That being said, when I do write to a deadline, I always offer a date that is long past the time I actually need. That way if the story is taking longer than it should, I've given myself a little padding. It's not failed me yet!
p.s. @Kelly – it's not a crappy question! It's a very valid scenario authors have to deal with. 🙂
Hi Dee,
after reading that you're a nurse by day, I just have one thing to ask – when do you sleep? Seriously.
and I grew up reading horror as well. Definitely had a uge influence on my teenage years.
hrududu AT hotmail DOT de
I agree, that I don't want to choose between vampires and werewolves. I like them both. I really enjoyed the twitter exchange. Thanks for the laugh.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
@Gertrud–There isn't a writer I know who doesn't suffer from insomnia. lol. Seriously, I survive on very little sleep, unfortunately.
@MBreakfield–That's like trying to choose between chocolate and sex, right? Sheesh. lol