Interview

Hi Diane 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?

 

Hi Brooke. I'm thrilled and honored to be here. Thanks for taking the time to interview me at RomanceJunkies.

 

Since I received three book contracts from Samhain Publishing a year ago in March, I didn't have time to start a new book for a long period. I was busy with editing and promoting for several months. Then I had galleys to proofread for two books the same time while I was doing the final edit of the third book.

 

I'm happy that I'm now writing a new book about three sisters. I don't have a publisher for it yet, but will seek one as soon as I have it finished. Then I'd like to write another Catherine Steel mystery. I also enjoy writing posts at my blog. I love it when people stop by and leave comments.

 

When working towards a deadline, are you usually ahead of schedule, right on schedule, or telling yourself you work best under pressure as the clock strikes midnight?

 

I try to be ahead of schedule but sometimes that's not possible.   However, I do meet my deadlines by skipping some housework that can wait. Another advantage is I only have two daughters at home now instead of six children, so that frees up some time for me. Two daughters have careers and live away from home. Our son and another daughter are away at college. Fortunately, my husband understands my writing is a career to me now and no longer a hobby.  

 

On days when you are bone tired, but know you must get at least a few pages done, how do you motivate yourself to get going?

 

I remind myself that I'm fortunate to be able to do what I love. And I know if I haven't made my page or word quota for the day that Stacia Wolf will yell at me. LOL Seriously, I'm glad she keeps on me to write so many words daily. Before I started writing my book about the three sisters, Stacia said it was time they made their debut. She's a Samhain author and a terrific writer. I figure if she can find time to write plus work full-time, I should be able to motivate myself to finish a few more pages before going to bed.

 

What is the best piece of writing advice you didn't take at first, but then realized it made a lot of sense?

 

I kept thinking I should get an agent. I queried agents instead of spending more time on actual writing. Finally, I took the advice of published friends and stopped worrying about getting an agent. Once I focused just on my writing, I received my contracts.

 

Woo Hoo!   You wake up one morning and find an envelope on the doorstep with your name on it!   And there's five thousand dollars inside!   What are you gonna spend it on?

 

What a fun question! I'd book a cruise to Alaska so my husband and I could go for our next anniversary. I'd use part of it to do something special for my two daughters born with Down syndrome, and take the whole family out to a nice dinner. I'd also use some of the $5,000 to remodel my kitchen.

 

What is the one thing you would love to learn how to do, but probably won't have the nerve to?   What is the one thing you've done that still surprises you today that you actually did that!

 

I'd like to try to water ski again, but I'm heavier and so much older now that I'm not sure I could stay balanced enough to get up on the skis. During college I went skiing once and actually got up on the skis. I loved it.

 

I'm surprised that I hitchhiked home one time from college. I wanted to take the Greyhound bus for the weekend, but my friend wanted to save money and hitchhike. I can't believe I listened to her. After we got into the car with two guys, we realized they had been drinking. We arrived safely at the bus stop where my parents picked us up, not realizing we hadn't taken the bus.

 

Humans tend to be creatures of habit.   Which habits do you have that you like, and which ones would you like to change or get rid of?

 

I have a good habit of following through on things I say I'll do for people. I'm very dependable. I don't exercise enough but I have gotten into the habit of walking daily.

 

In the past, I've had a bad habit of buying things for additional exercise and not using the items. For example, I bought a Pilates tape and did it twice. I decided it was too strenuous! Then I bought an exercise ball and video. I only used it a few times. My daughter rolls around on it sometimes while she watches TV, so I guess it wasn't a complete waste of money.   

 

I need to get rid of the habit of checking my email frequently throughout the day. I need to break this habit, so I can get more writing done.

 

How did you and your husband meet?   Did you fall for him first, or was it the other way around?

 

We met at a state orphanage where we both taught. We also lived in a building on the same floor on campus. When he asked me to go to dinner and a movie, I accepted. Right at first I wasn't sure if I liked him, but it didn't take long before I fell in love with him.

 

How old were you when you had your first romantic kiss?   Was it with your little kindergarten classmate, or the first major crush of your young life?

 

The first thing that came to my mind was kissing a little boy in first grade on the bus. Unfortunately, my older sister saw me kiss him and told on me as soon as she stepped into the door. However, I wouldn't say it was that romantic since I stunned the poor kid with my kiss. My first romantic kiss happened in high school when I dated a guy named Dick.   

 

How do you describe Diane Craver?   How does Diane Craver's husband describe her?

 

She's grateful to be a published author. She gives thanks to God daily for her fantastic husband and awesome children. Diane also is nurturing, has a sense of humor and is persistent.

 

He told me that I'm a wonderful and inspiring person.   Short and sweet - I like that!

 

MORE FUN...

 

Spring is here!   What was the first thing you noticed about its arrival?   Is it your favorite season, or is there one you like better?

 

We only had a few nice days so far this spring season before it got cold again. I noticed our yellow daffodils blooming in the front yard. I think the cold weather hurt my lilac bush so it doesn't look like there will be any lilacs this spring. That's disappointing since I love the smell of lilacs.                                              

Spring is my favorite season since you can put away the bulky clothes and go outside for walks, bicycling, and plant flowers. But summer is a close second since I love swimming in our pool and going to the beach for vacations.

 

If you could only have one meal a day, which one would it be?   What would you dine on five days out of seven?

 

That's a tough question because during the week, I'd say our evening meal when we're all together. On the weekends, I'd say breakfast with just my husband. We go out for a big breakfast once on the weekends and skip lunch. We enjoy this time alone together.

 

I like eating Mexican and Italian food a lot so I could easily dine on any of these dishes several days a week.  

 

What is your favorite spice?

 

Cinnamon is my favorite spice to use in my homemade granola cereal and many baked items. I even sprinkle cinnamon on the coffee grounds before I make coffee. I like the flavor it gives the coffee, but the main reason is because cinnamon helps to prevent Alzheimer's. Since we're big coffee drinkers, we get cinnamon daily.   

 

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?

 

I have a light aqua colored blouse with three quarter length sleeves which is a favorite of mine. I probably like it because I look thinner in it, so that is always a plus these days. Sometimes I wear it with my suit pants and other times I wear it with jeans.

 

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

 

My favorite comfort food is ice cream. Cherry cordial, pumpkin, chocolate, and vanilla (if I have chocolate syrup to pour on it) are some of my favorite flavors.

I love ice cream, also.   Some now sounds good!   Thank you, Diane, for spending time with us, and best of luck with your writing.

 

By Brooke Wills

Romance Junkies Publishing Editor Pamela Sacknea

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