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Friday, June 19, 2009

Special Guest Interview With Author Diana Rubino and Contest

From the Cover:
"Romance author Mona is human. Ship's doctor Fausto is a vampire. He can never be one of her kind and she's afraid to become one of his. As they sail the Mediterranean on writers' cruise, the couple is stalked by vampire hunters, and by Fausto's notorious ex-wife, Lucrezia Borgia. Events force Mona and Fausto team up with the hunters to capture Lucrezia, but where can they go from here? With Fausto's friend and Mona's editor vamping it up and a hunter on the loose, can this bloody good cruise have a happy ending?"


Hi Everyone! We're having a special post today with author Diana Rubino. I had the opportunity to spend some time with Ms. Rubino recently, and I'd like to share some of her thoughts with you.

How long have you been writing? How did you get started?

I started the first draft of my first novel at the end of 1982, when I was 25. I got started because I’d been writing short stories, hoping for publication in various magazines, when my former journalism prof from college, (we kept in touch after I graduated) urged me to write a novel instead. So I gave it a shot.

Tell us about the day you "Got the Call".

Since it was 18 years (yes, 18!) after writing my first novel, I’d daydreamed about that moment many times. It was an Email from the publisher who bought 4 of my books at once, and as I opened the message, I figured it was just another rejection. I almost fell off the chair, I was so surprised.

What genre(s) do you write in, and do you have pseudonyms?

I write historical and paranormal romances, and use my own name.

What was your first published work? How did you get that work published?

My first published work was my historical Thy Name Is Love, set in Richard IIIs time, and I queried several Epublishers about it, after querying many print publishers. The publisher who bought it, Domhan Books, also did print books, so it came out in print, too.

How many books have you published?

12, after my next one comes out.

What are you working on now?

A biographical novel about Alexander Hamilton. I’m keeping as close to the historical record as it will allow, and it has no fictional characters.

Where do your story ideas come from?

For the historicals, I pick an era I’m interested in and want to research more, and set my characters against the backdrop of whatever is happening during that time, i.e., the Tudors and Henry VIIIs court intrigue, the Civil War, Prohibition, etc.


I’m not a good ‘idea’ person, so I ask my husband and friends for ideas. Inspiration comes from what I’m interested in, mostly history and the paranormal. They provide the seeds for ideas.

When you start a new book, what do you start with? Do you have a character(s) in mind, a scenario, or a single scene?

I’ve only written one book that started with 3 characters, siblings, whom I’d fleshed out, with nothing yet to do. So because of who they were and their personalities, the plot grew around them. That worked out really well.
But I usually start with characters and a plot outline.

Do your characters come to you as fully formed personalities or do they require massaging to gain their personality?

No, it takes a long time to get to know them, just like getting to know people in real life. I make lists of traits, etc. but get to know them as the story progresses.

For you, what is the hardest part of writing a novel? Concept, Characterization, Plotting, Writing the story, Synopsis/Query letter writing, etc.

According to the rejections I always got (and still get), sometimes it’s characters, sometimes it’s the plotting. It’s hard to flesh out characters and make them come to life.

What influences your heroes?

Not any one thing; I just write about men I’d like to be with.

Do you have any amusing or inspiring stories you'd like to share?

I wrote a time travel about Richard III and his 2 brothers coming to modern times, which is a comedy, and I had a good time writing it. The idea for the entire story came when my crit partner and I tried to picture Richard in modern times blow drying his hair.
Also, my friend Joan Szechtman, also a time travel author, wrote a novel in which Richard comes to modern times, and in both our books (which we wrote before we ever knew each other) Richard gets caught in his zipper!


Do you have any advice or tips for new writers?


Believe in yourself, don’t ever give up, don’t take rejections personally, and be patient!
A career as a novelist isn’t something you can plan on, so don’t be shattered if things don’t turn out the way you’d planned. Getting published is a crapshoot, so be thankful for any encouragement you get from agents or editors.

Where can we buy your books?


At Amazon.com, at Barnes & Noble.com, and from my publisher, Eternal Press, www.eternalpress.ca.


Contest:

Ms. Rubino would like to giveaway one copy of her latest release (a tasty little treat), her time travel romance novel, Traveling Light. Leigh, the modern heroine, travels back to 1485 England and meets the love of her life. After several brushes with death, they manage to escape before he’s killed in the battle the history books say he fought in.

Ms. Rubino will be checking in throughout the day, so please leave a question or comment for her!!

For your main entry comment with your name and email and leave a question or comment or tell us why you love books.
For a second entry, blog this contest, tweet, facebook, etc. come back and tell us where.
For a third entry, follow Ms. Rubino's site, come back and comment to let us know.
Followers of my blog get an extra entry, just let me know if you're already following.

For more information about her books, please visit Diana Rubino at WWW.DIANARUBINO.COM, or her blog at www.DianaRubinoAuthor.blogspot.com

Thanks everyone and let the commenting begin!! Contest is open world wide! Contest closes 6-24-09, winner announced 6-25-09.

44 comments:

Blodeuedd said... 1

Hi Diana :)
Great interview Dottie.

But oh no, where did my thought of question go, poor little brain.
Must make a new one.

I was wondering if you could fall back in time (oh how lovely that would be) to where would you like to go?

Amy C said... 2

Hi Diana and yes, great interview, Dottie.

My mind is drawing a blank for a question. It's too early!

Lea said... 3

Good Morning Diana and Dottie!

Wonderful interview, thank you for the giveaway.

I will post over at Closetwriter (my blog). You know I'm one of your regular followers Dottie and I will follow Diana as of today. :)

Question: What made you decide to write a time travel novel Diana?

I always love it when authors do cross genre work. ;)

Have a great day.
L

Amy C said... 4

I posted on my blog too, Dottie :)

And at least Blodeuedd and Lea came up with a question!

Randi said... 5

Hi Dottie and Diana
Great Interview. The books sounds really good!

How hard was it to write a modern woman in 1425 England?

I have posted the contest on my blog. I also already follow your blog.

I visited your webiste Diana and it's very user friendly which I love!! I will be checking out all your books.

Thanks again!
randilyn1107(at)gmail(dot)com

tetewa said... 6

Enjoyed the interview, I love to read because it takes me to places that I wouldn't be able to go to!

Leontine said... 7

Hi Diana and Dottie,
Enjoyed the interview! And one of the reasons I love to read books so much is that it can transport you to another world...like time travel. Since it isn't possible as of yet to do so...or are you guys holding out on info!! LOL I use books to get me to another era :D

A question or two…maybe three:
Diana, what do you think is at the foundation of any historical novel?
and I love to ask this one to authors: Do you have a writing quirk??
And my final one as intriguing minds want to know: What is one of your classic novels on your bookshelves you can always re-read, and what novel is your latest purchase?

Hugs,
Leontine

Unknown said... 8

Hi Blodeuedd!

Glad you stopped by, you are entered my friend, always the first, you're the only one up!


Hi Amy!

Nice to have you here, and you are entered too, and it is a little early, isn't it? I added to the story....

Hi Lea!

Wow, you're an early riser too. You're entered too! Thanks Lea!

Hi Amy!

Thanks, you rock!


Hi Randi!

Thanks for coming! You're entered!

Hi tetewa!

Thanks for stopping! You're entered!

Hi Leontine!

Wow, girl, I had trouble with one question, and you have three! You're way entered!

Everyone here has yearned extra entries, I'll be sure to count them!

Thanks for coming by!

(((hugs)))

Dottie :)

Kimberly B. said... 9

This sounds like such a great book. I've always loved reading books about Richard III, so I look forward to one set in his time!

Mary G said... 10

Hi Diana
While waiting to be published did you ever feel loke giving up? Great blog Dottie.

Caffey said... 11

Hi Diane! So nice to meet you! And great to read your interview and the best questions to Dottie! I love these blurbs and how unique they are. The combo of a vamp on a cruise! And too the TT! Is that book based on a legend or hero that you read about in researching?


I've been a follower of your blog here! And now too following Diana's blog! Too I posted this contest on my blog post
http://caffeys-reads.blogspot.com

VampFanGirl said... 12

Great interview ladies!

I've never read your books Diana, but they sound like something I would enjoy.

Is writing time travel difficult?

;) VFG

housemouse88 said... 13

Hello Dottie and Diana,

Thanks for the info on your new book. Love the idea of a cruise. I'm following both of your blogs now. Have a great day.

My question is do you ever enter contests for books?

house_mouse88 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said... 14

Hi KimberlyB

You are entered in the contest! Thanks for coming by!

Hi Mary!

Thanks for stopping by. You're entered!

Hi Caffey!

Wow! Thanks for posting! You are entered as well! (multiple entries!)

Hi VFG!

Hope you having a great day! You're entered too! (multiple entries.)

Hi housemouse88!

Thanks for following and you're entered as well. (multiple entries.)

Thanks everyone for stopping by and visiting! I will count the multiple entries.

((hugs))

Dottie :)

SciFiGuy said... 15

An author new to me. Thank you - the book sounds like fun. Posted a link today.

Unknown said... 16

Hi Doug!

Thanks for the linkage! You're entered.

Dottie :)

Houston A.W. Knight said... 17

Hey Sweetie!

I'm here...Lea sent me, I've been having quite a month....we'll talk later! (((hughs)))

1- Houston A.W. Knight
2- HOUSTONAWKNIGHT@tampabay.rr.com
3- question...On bad days, how did you keep yourself from giving up and why?
4- I love books because I love words. I don't enjoy T.V. it's a medium where women are only victims...But in books, romance books, a woman is never a victim but a heroine! Romance Books give women a chance to be powerful and seen in a positive light. And I love time travels!
5-I'll have a shout out about this contest on my blog at http://www.houstonawknight.blogspot.com/


So, did I do it all right? Can I be in the contest now? Did I forget anything?

Hugs
Hawk

Unknown said... 18

Hi Hawk!

No, LOL, you did all perfect!

I've been to your blog, and I'm coming back to comment!

You're enter!

(e me, what's up?)

((hugs))

Dottie :)

Misusedinnocence said... 19

How is Elizabeth portrayed in your book? I LOVE that role from Shakespeares Richard III. :)

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Unknown said... 20

Hi Misusedinnocence!

Love the name, thanks for stopping by!

You are entered.

Dottie :)

Diana Rubino said... 21

Hi All,
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you entered the contest. I'll try to answer all your questions.
The one time I'd like to travel back to is Ancient Rome; they were very advanced, and yet it was so long ago, it would be fascinating to see how they really lived.
Yes, time travel is difficult, when the main character goes to the past. You have to be realistic about how they react to the strange setting. But I wrote one (One Too Many Times) in which Richard III and his 2 brothers Edward and George come to modern times, and that was much easier. It also sets up a lot of opportunities for comic relief (Richard gets caught in his zipper, an invention he never saw) and how they react to all our modern conveniences. I also like a scientific explanation for how these people traveled in time, such as Ley Lines, on which many strange things happen. I like to see more imagination than a time machine!
Yes, many times, I felt like giving up. You see, my story is unique in that it took me 18 years to get my first publishing contract. But somehow I knew my work would find a home, so if I kept at it, I'd get better, and have a better chance at publication. Believe in yourself and never give up, especially if you love to write.
Thanks to all who visited here today, and thanks again for entering the contest! Diana

Diana Rubino said... 22

Hi Lea,
I wrote a TT because it's my favorite subgenre. The actual concept of TT is fascinating, because it's theoretically possible, so I love to read stories where people can trenscend time and perhaps meet up with their soulmates.

Diana Rubino said... 23

Thanks, Randi, for posting the contest on your blog.
It was pretty difficult, because she's in such a foreign setting, and thinking with her 21st century mind, having to adapt to a world with 15th century values and mindsets was hard to do. She also had to act like they did as much as possible, not to get caught out, and branded as a witch, or worse.

Diana Rubino said... 24

Hi Leontine,
At the foundation of any historical novel is the author's interpretation of what life was like in that era. We can read hundreds of history books and diaries, but no one knows for sure what things were really like, so we add our imaginations to fill in the blanks.
If you want to call this a quirk, I must put in some comic relief in all my books, no matter how serious the subject matter. I believe comedy is how we keep our sanity, and since God gave us humor, we should use it!
I'd say one of my 'classics' is I Love You Because, set in 1894 New York. The heroine is loosely based on my great grandmother, who left 3rd grade and became a successful businesswoman and politician. She was ahead of her time, and I tried to recreate that difficult world of prejudice and the difficulty of being an immigrant in the story.
My latest purchase was "A Study in Red" by my friend and author Brian Porter, a novel about Jack the Ripper. See my Amazon review of it. I'm a big Ripper buff, and this was great!

Diana Rubino said... 25

Hi Caffey,
No, he's not based on anyone; he's just the kind of guy I'd like to meet!

Diana Rubino said... 26

Hi MisusedInnocence,
Elizabeth isn't in my book; she didn't live during Richard's time. She was the daughter of Henry VIII. It was his father Henry VII who killed Richard in battle in 1485.

Diana Rubino said... 27

Dottie, thanks again so much for hosting me, it was great fun!
Diana
www.dianarubino.com
www.DianaRubinoAuthor.blogspot.com

Unknown said... 28

Hi Diana!

It has been a pleasure having you here and a contest for your book. I knew something was up with the weather, but I couldn't get back online myself due to weather issues. I had to scam time on a friend's computer, we lost power and the internet in our community was knocked out after the power came back on. Everything started working correctly yesterday. Totally understand about the weather. Again, thanks for stopping by and let's hope the weather continues to co-operate.

Dottie :)

Cecile Smutty Hussy said... 29

Hey Dottie!!!
When I get home from work this evening, I will come back to do all that is required of me to win!!! Why... because we LOVE to win books by new authors!!!! And this one is new to me!!!
So, when I get home, I will
"Beam you up, Dottie!" I kill myself, lol!!
So, with that said... "I'll BE BACK!" LMAO!!!

Unknown said... 30

Hi Cecile!

That's okay, cos you kill me too! LMAO!

Just for stopping by and already following me, you get two entries sweetie!

Dottie :)

host said... 31

Hi Dottie and Diana!
The book sounds great and I love the cover. I don't have a question because everything was already asked by previous commenters :)

I'm following you Dottie :) and I'll post announcement about this contest on the right side of my blog.

Unknown said... 32

Hi Host!

Thanks for following and you are entered!

Thanks for spreading the word!

Dottie :)

Amanda said... 33

Ooooo wow just in time to enter!!

I love the escapism of reading and being able to fall into someone elses world for a short period of time!
Reading is truly I think a gift and a great thing that anyone can ever do!

Great interview Dottie, I am a follower of yours and I'll follow Diana too love having new people to follow and think its a little late to tweet about it now!

Thanks so much for the contest and for entering me!

Unknown said... 34

Hi Amanda!

The more, the merrier!

You are entered!

Dottie :)

Amanda said... 35

Thank you Dottie!

Cecile Smutty Hussy said... 36

Okay, just wanted you to know that I Beamed your info onto my place last night! Hope you dont mind!!

Unknown said... 37

You're welcome Amanda!

Dottie :)

Unknown said... 38

Hi Cecile!

Thanks for 'beaming' me! (more entries)

I was over checking out your pics - too cool.

Have a great day sweetie!

Dottie :)

Anonymous said... 39

Eek! Dottie!! How did I miss this?!

Great interview!!! I love time travel romances, and it's unfortunate I don't see them more often!!

Unknown said... 40

Hi Barbara!

So glad you made the contest, I was going to ask you, but thought maybe it wasn't your cup of tea.

You are entered my sweet friend!
(multiple entries since you follow)

Dottie :)

Teddyree said... 41

Great interview, Dottie. I first came across Diana Rubino when she guest blogged on Emily Bryan's blog (I think that's where it was) about her book, A Bloody Good Cruise. I would love to win her new book, thanks so much for going international!

teddyree@optusnet.com.au

And I love books because they provide perfect escapism and I can travel anywhere in the world!!

Teddyree said... 42

Oops and I'm a follower and

I visited Diana's website and blog, she has interviewed the lovely Emily Bryan today! I've tried to follow Diana's blog but it keeps coming up with error on page so hope it's just a glitch my end!

and I posted this in my sidebar (sorry it's late but we had a big Emily Bryan week last week on Royal lol)

Teddyree said... 43

geez I'd forget my head if it wasn't screwed on - I posted contest on the right hand sidebar of my blog The Eclectic Reader

Unknown said... 44

Hi Teddyree!

You get all four entries my friend, I don't know if Diana's having trouble with her follower widget, but I'll let her know.

Thanks for entering!

Dottie :)

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