Interview

Hi Diana and welcome. I am so glad you could join us here at RomanceJunkies. To start, will you please tell us a little bit about your current projects?

 

Right now, I'm working on two WIP's, the sequel to the recently contracted Vampire story, and a romantic suspense. The romantic suspense is about a country singer who finds one of the after-show reporters in her dressing room, dead. From there it's anyone's guess how it will go.

 

The Vampire story is about the young Nathan, changed at 23, who is having adjustment issues and problems dealing with his sudden changes and losses. And then there's the whole how to NOT become a real-depraved-creature problem. It's proving to be quite the challenge.

 

If you could change one thing about the way you write, what would it be…even though you know you will keep doing it the same way forever?

 

If I could change one thing, it would probably be where I write. I do everything on the computer...and I do mean everything. And my handwriting is atrocious anymore. I wish I could do more by hand, so I didn't have to work on the computer so much, but I guess it goes with the territory. I don't write fast enough to keep up with my thinking, and if I do, well, that's what I can't read! LOL

 

Do you always write in the same spot all the time, or do you roam from room-to-room, area-to-area as the mood strikes?

 

Typically, it's the same spot. I might grab a notebook and jot down one line notes or titles, but I do 100% of my writing here.  

 

What skills would you like to further develop as an author, be it with respect to your writing, or the publishing and marketing side of the business?

 

I would have to say improvement in writing is a constant. I know I'll never know everything. I'm getting better at catching my own mistakes, but editors see things differently and always will. Marketing is an everyday thing. Making my name visible. Making my books visible.

 

Do you have a daily writing schedule that you stick to, or do you work as the spirit moves you?

 

Well, typically, I'm here from early morning until late at night. I do research, work I should be doing for my "day" job, working until about three in the afternoon. I do have to stop to take care of the family and cook and stuff like that not, so it's not like an honest day of work. It's more like snatches of time to work. And the same is for the writing. I try to write in the evening. I do say try because I'm sharing space right now with my four-year old son.

 

Woo Hoo!  Woo Hoo!  You're going on a getaway!  No worries about how you're gonna get there!  You just arrive! Now…where are you going, and why this destination?

 

Oh yay!!! Vacation! If it's just me (or if I HAD to take the man), I'd say a cruise, to just about anywhere. A LOOOOONG cruise please! I love cruising. It's fun and multiple destinations give lots of experiences. If it was family, DisneyWorld. I love being a kid with my son. 

 

What is your favorite movie genre, and which movie in that genre do you most enjoy?

 

Honestly right now, I love the Disney Pixar animated movies. They're fun, cute and make me laugh. And I don't have to "think" to enjoy them. My favorite(s) right now would be CARS and SHREK I & II. 

 

How did you and your husband meet?  Who said "I love you" first—you or him?

 

This is one of those "you're kidding, right" kind of stories. We met the night before Thanksgiving, 1998, at a *gasp* bar! Yep. A country bar. I think I told him first, that's one I don't remember, but he wasn't overly expressive then. He's better trained now! I asked him to marry me on my birthday the following January, and we eloped in June. Thanksgiving this year was our 8th anniversary of that first meeting. We celebrate both, gives me an anniversary every six months to bug him about! LOL

 

What was the most romantic gift you've ever received?  What about the best one you've ever given?

 

The best one I've ever received was an IOU for horseback riding. I was raised on horseback, and owned them for a long time. I miss it terribly, and he offered to take me. I never got to use it, but it was the thought, that he knew I WANTED to go that really got me.

 

I gave him a son. He can't complain.

 

How do you describe Diana Castilleja?  How does Diana Castilleja's husband describe her?

 

I'm a bit overzealous, a worrywart, obsessive. I try to "pay it forward". There isn't enough of that going around. Random acts of kindness. Compliments, applause and hugs are always free.

 

He would say, I have no sense of humor. Generous. Goofy, but I can agree with that one.

 

MORE FUN…

 

The Holiday Season has begun!  Thanksgiving set it off!  Did you cook the feast this year?  Go shopping with the crowds the day after?  What is your favorite part of this time of year?

 

No, I didn't have to cook. I usually don't since we have family within driving distance on both sides. I do cook one "big" dinner for us though. I'm not a big shopping fan. I like to go, walk and stuff, but I'd just rather not have to fight the crowds to do it. My favorite part of this year... The lights and when we get it--cold weather! I hate warm Christmases. 

 

What is your favorite pair of shoes?  What is the one pair that should have stayed at the shoe store?

 

Okay, now you're going to find out I'm not normal. I don't have a lot of shoes. I have some pumps from when I worked, my winter boots, sneakers and slippers. I do have one pair of slip-ons that I wish I'd never bought. They're professional, but the ugliest darn things! I hate those. My favorites... probably my flats. I can grab and go... They also happen to be the one pair BigJ absolutely hates! Go figure! 

 

What is the best appliance known to man?  Which one should have been left "un-invented"?

 

Oh well, let's see here. The best: Honestly, for all practicality, the refrigerator. I know. How uninspired is that? Uninvented: The microwave. Not because it's not used, just I don't use it much. 

 

Name the one item in your closet that is a constant favorite…the one that always gets worn even though you might have something newer or better.

 

That's easy, jeans.

 

And lastly, no interview of a writer would be complete without this question:  what is your favorite comfort food?

 

There's this popcorn that I just luuuuuuuv. It's got a peanut butter glaze drizzled with chocolate. It's soooooo good. Super comfort food, fattening as all hell, but when I eat that, that's the last thing I'm worried about! J

 

Wow…that sounds good!  I am gonna have to try it!  Thank you, Diana, for spending time with us.  It has been a lot of fun, and good luck in the future with your writing!

By Brooke Wills

Romance Junkies Publishing Editor

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