Let’s talk all about your writing style first…
How do you handle writer’s block?
DA: I read, write in my journal, listen to a lot of music. It’s hard when it hits, and some days I just have to force myself even when every word feels like a drop of blood. It’s the worst and so scary because I never know how long it will last. But what I do know is that it WILL pass and if I journal enough, I can usually get to the root of the problem and once I know what’s truly wrong, I work on addressing it. One of the most important things I’ve learned is that trying to “get over” things without allowing yourself to sit in the pain and feel self-pity isn’t healthy for me. Once I started giving myself permission to be sad about a disappointing release or whatever – it was much easier to move on and get going again.
What comes first, the plot or characters? –
DA: The characters. Always. I’m a very curious (some may say nosey) person and so when someone intrigues me, I usually stop and ask questions. For my book The Sun and Her Star, my hero was inspired by the “naked bartender” at my sister’s wedding shower. He was nude but for a tiny apron that was open in the back and while I could see that it was supposed to be a sexy, fun thing, and he was very nice to look at, I couldn’t imagine that it was an enjoyable job – having your bare ass out in a room from of strangers. So, I asked him – and he told me that he didn’t particularly like it, but that it paid the bills and let him work exclusively on weekends so he could go to school full time. All my characters have an origin story like that.
How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?
DA: A Lot. Setting is very important – I like my readers to have an immersive experience, and for me that means engaging all of their senses. And even if not all of the details make it into the story, it helps me give my characters context.
How do you deal with the emotional impact of a book (on yourself) as you are writing the story?
DA: Not very well honestly, when I have to write emotionally difficult scenes, I tend to avoid writing altogether. But when I can’t avoid it anymore, I just let my emotions have their way. I cry, and agonize and celebrate along with my characters and it’s usually very cathartic. And it takes me a while to move on from stories when I’m done.
How do you come up with the titles to your books?
DA: I don’t know – they usually come to me when I’m building my Pinterest boards and playlists.
