Interview with Author Diane Major

Diane Major lives in Houghton le Spring, England. She was born in Horden, a coal mining village, secured her professional qualification and Degree (Hons), and managed teams in Youth Work, Community Development and Adult Education. She has two prior published novels.

I want to give Diane a warm US welcome and thank her for reaching so far across the pond!

Q. I know you write fantasy adventure stories. How did you become interested in that area of writing?

Diane: I have worked with people all my life, and I think they need to escape from reality now and then.

Q: I'm sure you also read fantasy. Who are your favorite authors?

Diane: There are too many to mention. I like the famous author, George R. R. Martin's first book in The Game of Thrones series, and I also really like Indie author, James Nicholas Adams, Chronicles of Myriad, but that's a snapshot.

Q: Let's talk about your latest book: Enmitus--The Transformation.

Diane: When spaceships leave a dying Earth, it is not until centuries and galaxies later that survivors reach planets that will support human life. A community from one of the ships builds a life underground on a barren and ominous planet named Serenitus. Princess Corinna lives a contented life under the surface of Serenitus with her father Great Lord Corin, completely oblivious to the deceit surrounding her and her people. This is until...powerful lords from neighboring planets arrive, the destinies of Corinna and those about her are about to change--forever. Corinna's strength and ability to survive are tested to extraordinary lengths when she is forced to marry a cruel and evil man who is already devoted to a dangerous and despicable woman. Her own heart breaks as she realizes her love for another.
A story of danger, love, hate, cruelty, deceit and revenge. My book is available at most major online book stores as an ebook or in paperback.

Q: Sounds like an exciting story. Is there a sequel? What is your next project?

Diane: My friends laugh and say they think I might have some type of ADHD. I have, in fact, already published two books. Children of Fury was my first novel and took the longest to write, then I published I am Nine and this year Enmitus--The Transformation. I have now completed the sequel to Enmitus, and also have a ghost story almost ready to be published. (At this point I must thank author and artist L J Bush for kindly designed the cover and Nancy Sewell for proofreading.) I have another two manuscripts on the shelf that I am thinking about. I have also been asked to co-write some educational work for toddlers, which I am considering, and have a modern fairy tale floating around in my head. I retired in 2011 and am still working at the same pace as I did when I was employed. Love it!

Q: Do you read books in other genres or are you strictly a fantasy reader?

Diane: It varies a lot, Dean Koontz, Jean Plaidy, Stephanie Meyer, etc. What I read is more about the book than the genre.

Q: I know you're busy, but do you have hobbies? What things interest you?

Diane: I fundraise for a local voluntary organization, walk dogs, do some gardening, read, go on the odd weekend break (usually to Edinburgh) and enjoy the odd holiday in the sun. I might have said writing, however, it has turned out to be more than a job with all the social media involved!

Q: I think every writer has his or her own writing habits. What are yours?

Diane: I write every day at no set time. My laptop is in the kitchen so that I have easy access to lots of coffee. I write constantly and only set deadlines as I near publication, which enables me to stay on track. I do outline at the beginning of a book, but as soon as I have written two or three pages, I find the story takes me where I am going. In other words, the outline goes out the window. For example, one particular book which I have not published and is based in Philadelphia (mentioned the city just in case I do publish and you read it, then you might say, she finally published that book). Well, I outlined for that book. It started with a young boy in a hospital, but by the time I had written two pages, it was a man who work up on an alien spaceship! I still outline, and the stories continue to go completely off track. You have to smile!

Q: What's the best writing advice you ever received?

Diane: When I wrote Children of Fury, I lacked confidence. I let far too many people influence the story and the proof reading. It was read so many times by people around me I think we couldn't see the woods for the trees. I would say write your book, and when you are finished, ask someone you trust (I mean trust to be honest) to read it and comment. Find someone (whether you can afford to pay or like me ask the best person you know) to proof read and/or edit it. Then, you must be brave!


Diane may be contacted through the following:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Diane Major Books
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/dianemajor1
Website:  http://www.dianemajorauthor.co.uk
Email:  author@dianemajorauthor.co.uk

          Diane's books can be purchased form:

          Amazon UK
          Amazon US
 
While I haven't read this particular book of Diane's, I read Children of Fury, a fascinating tale, and I'm sure this one won't disappoint!! If you have any questions for Diane, please leave them in the comment section. Thanks, Diane! I enjoyed having you visit!