Diane Chamberlain was nice enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions.
A little about the author: Diane is the best-selling author of 20novels published in more than a dozen languages. Her complex stories combine intrigue and suspense with engrossing family drama. Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, NJ, but now resides in North Carolina with her partner, photographer John Pagliuca and her shelties, Keeper and Jet.
Hope you enjoy this interview as much as I enjoyed conversing with Diane!!
-Andrea
Did you always want to become a writer?
I loved writing as a child, but frankly forgot about it when it was time to go to college. I didn’t think it would be possible to make a living as a writer, so instead I went into social work. I have no regrets. Being a social worker and psychotherapist was a great background for creating believable characters and infusing my stories with emotion.
Were you influenced by any writers growing up?
Oh, yes. Of course I read all the Nancy Drews and other books that were popular when I was growing up, but I really got hooked by the Gothic writers such as Victoria Holt. I loved the atomospheric darkness of their stories and the deep relationships they wrote about and I know they greatly influenced my own writing.
What are some of your "inspirations" for writing a novel- in particular The Midwife's Confessions?
Often a newspaper article or an overheard conversation will spark a story idea, but the seed for The Midwife’s Confession came to me in a dream. In the dream, a few friends learned something terrible about another friend and they had to decide whether or not to tell her. When I woke up, I really liked the idea of a friend having that sort of dilemma and began to imagine what the secret might be. My imagination did the rest.
How long (on average) does a novel take you?
It takes me a year to write a novel, but my contracts only give me ten months! So I make it work.
Are you currently working, or piecing together, ideas for a new novel?
My next novel, which still has no title, is due in two weeks, so I’m deep into revisions right now. Once I finish it, I’ll turn it in to my editor who will probably have a bunch of suggestions. Then I’ll be revising again while I’m thinking about an idea for the novel after that. I hope to squeeze a vacation in there sometime, but it’s not going to be easy!
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Read, of course! I also play a little guitar and enjoy fiddling with photography, but I like spending time with my family and friends (and dogs) the most.
Some of your novels take a turn at the end (which by the way I love!!) How do you decide a characters fate? Or the outcome of a certain situation?
I carefully outline every story. . . and then when I actually begin writing, the characters take over and it’s often then that the twists and turns appear. If you’re surprised by something in my story, you can be pretty sure I was surprised myself.
Series Books seem to be more and more common, have you ever considered writing a Book Series?
Maybe some day, but I generally like writing a fresh story with fresh characters each time. I’ve written one trilogy, which I loved, and I’m excited that my publisher is reissuing it. As a matter of fact, the first book, Keeper of the Light, was just published this month. The two other books will come out in the fall and spring.
Be Sure to check out MY REVIEW on Diane's newest book, The Midwife's Confession which will be out at the end of April.
http://bookmarkedmemories.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-midwifes-confession-arc-by-diane.html
