Wednesday, August 31, 2011

In the Hot Seat: Darlene Fredette

Welcome Darlene Fredette today to my blog. She has her debut book out at Secret Cravings and the cover alone has me intrigued. Give a big welcome to Darlene...

When did you seriously sit down, and say to yourself, I’m going to write a novel?
I first started writing in my teenage years, but school, and then career soon took precedence. I continued writing and completed a full-length novel ten years ago.

If you were to start again, with the knowledge you have now, what would be the first thing you do?
To not allow the long pauses in between writing to have control.

Do you have the support of family and friends?
Most definitely! They are my support system. They push me when I need a good kick in the butt.

Do you have a book coming out? If so what?
Keeping Secrets is my debut novel. I hope to follow up with another novel very soon.

How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
Not so much my personality, because my heroine’s are more complicated than I am, lol! However, I do like adding bit and pieces if things that have happened to people I know, or maybe something they’ve said.

Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
I do try to follow a schedule, but it never works. After checking emails and social networking sites, I like to dive in and lose myself in the story. The key is to reduce the amount of time spent on those social networking sites…or to take a day away from them.

What do you have coming up? Any teasers you want to give us?
I’m currently editing a second completed story. It’s about two strong-willed lawyers who find themselves butting heads over a case, and their past. Their banter and undeniable attraction is fun and sexy.

What is your writing routine once you start a book?
There are so many daily distractions a routine never seems to work for me. I just write as often as I can. And when I don’t have access to my laptop, a pen and journal become my best friends.

What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?
I do find them difficult, but only at first. Once the scene is started, my characters show me the way through the steam.

What kind of research do you do?
I do a lot of research. I like to make sure every fine detail is covered with my characters’ careers to scene, settings, and props.

Fill in the blank favorites - Dessert. City. Season. Type of hero. Type of heroine.
Dessert: anything with strawberries.
City: I love the Valley and we hope to retire there.
Season: without hesitation, SUMMER!
Type of Hero: strong and sexy.
Type of Heroine: (again) strong and sexy.

What are some of your favorite things to do, or your hobbies?
I love hanging out with my family. I also love to read. Combine the two, hanging with my family and reading outside on a beautiful summer day in our yard.


Who are some of your other favorite authors and/or genres to read?
Penny Jordan’s books were the first romances I read. I also enjoy Jane Porter, Jennifer Crusie, Beth Kendrick, Sarah Addison Allen, and more.

Which of your books has been the easiest to write?  The hardest?  The most fun?
My latest WIP has been a lot of fun to write. It’s a 6 book series about a dysfunctional family, lots of wit and drama. I’m having tons of fun with this one. The hardest would be the one I’m currently editing. It was easy to write ten years ago, but editing it to my current standards has been a challenge...so much to cut and change.

Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
The story. Inspiration tends to hit me while cleaning my house. A story line will pop in my head and the rest falls into place. By the time my house is clean, I have a story and characters ready to go. I then rush to get a new journal started and make notes before I forget them.

If we asked your muse to tell us three things about you, what do you think they might say?
My muse doesn’t have time to say anything, they are too busy kicking my butt to focus and finish my current WIP, lol.

What is your favorite season and why?
SUMMER! I love the warmth, the green of the trees and grass, the many colours and scents of the flowers, the warmth, sitting outside with a cool drink and good book, going to the beach, the warmth, wearing shorts and sandals, BBQ’s, the warmth, sitting around the fire-pit, oh and did I mention how much I love the warmth, lol!

Congratulations, your novel was just picked up by a major Hollywood studio. They are letting you cast the characters. Name the book you would choose to be made into a movie and who you think would play those characters.
This is a good question, because I always picture certain celebrities as my characters. My dysfunction family series ‘Daddy’s Girls’ would make it to the top of the movie charts with its intriguing plot. In the first book, my main character (Hanna) would be portrayed by Kelly Monaco (General Hospital - Sam) and my hero (Alex) would be portrayed by Alex O-Laughlin (Hawaii 50 – Steve) he’s just too yummy!

If you could choose anywhere in the world to set up your desk and write, where would you like it to be? What’s so special to you about this place?  We’d eventually like to find a home in the Valley (here in Nova Scotia). My desk would be in the sunroom overlooking our landscaped yard and lakefront. With the beauty and tranquility, inspiration would be everywhere I turn.
Thank you, Dawn!
Keeping Secrets by Darlene Fredette
Available at Secret Cravings Publishing
Buy your copy HERE

Samantha Witherspoon is a strong, independent, businesswoman, determined she clashes with Matt Sullivan, the stubborn contractor who refuses her renovation project, Samantha returns to her childhood home to convince him.  Sparks fly, tempers flare, and Samantha quickly realizes that befriending the rugged contractor isn’t as easy as she thought.

Despite her reservations, desire ignites between them under the city stars of Montreal. His mere touch makes her long for the kind of love she thought she’d never have. When a mystery box reveals devastating family secrets, Samantha decides it’s time to come-clean with Matt. But before she can, her secret arrives on her doorstep. Samantha’s heart is torn. Will a promise made to her late-grandmother prevent her from finding true happiness?

Sneak Peek Excerpt:

Samantha’s ears twitched at the sound of a crackling coming from the ceiling just above her. She watched as a trickling line split and plaster showered downward like a heavy rainfall.
Suddenly a set of strong arms encircled her and held her tightly, taking the breath from her chest. Her feet were lifted from the concrete floor and she was yanked backward, slamming her and her rescuer into a wall. An image out of a romance novel, where the hero sweeps the woman of his dreams into his arms, declaring his everlasting love, flashed through her mind…until another large piece of plaster fell from the ceiling, crashing loudly on the floor before shattering into thousands of tiny pieces. Samantha no longer saw a vision of two lovers, but one of her, crushed under the debris. She took several deep breaths.
Hammers stopped and were followed by the rush of work boots running across the concrete. “Matt, you okay? Is the lady hurt?” they asked. “That was a mother of a close call!” another said.
Her hero ignored the men and set her back on her feet. His once warm brown eyes were now cold and throwing daggers. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I...I was...looking for you.” Winded, her breathing was heavy.
From the drooping brows and harsh pressed lips, she could tell Matt was not at all happy to see her, but Samantha couldn’t have been more pleased. Her search was over and the incredibly attractive man she had been seeking had rescued her.

5 comments:

DarleneLF said...

Thank you for hosting my on your site, Dawn!

I'm holding a contest for a free PDF copy of Keeping Secrets on my web site http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com. Just clilck on contest in 'other features' for details.

Another way to win a copy of Keeping Secrets is to stop by my site next week. I'm part of a blog tour and my week starts Monday. I have a great 'hero' blog post, I'm sure everyone will enjoy reading. I welcome everyone to stop by!

Daisy Dunn said...

Congrats on your novel, Darlene...it sounds like an awesome read. TBR list for sure!! I wish you great success with it. I live in Canada, but I haven't made it out to the east coast yet and I stress yet...one day soon I hope :)
All the best,

Daisy Dunn

Tabitha Shay said...

Congrats on ur new novel and best of luck! Great interview...Tabs

DarleneLF said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
DarleneLF said...

oops, deleted my comment by accident, now I have to retype, lol!

Thank you, Daisy and Tabs, for stopping by. I'll add you both into my contest! And Daisy, I haven't been out west 'yet' either, lol!

Discover Cursed Wolf by Sophie Ash

  Cursed Wolf by Sophie Ash (Howling Death MC) Publication date: March 29th 2024 Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance   Synopsis: If the...