Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Donna-Wright/e/B001JRZ63E/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1361737947&sr=1-1
My site: donnawrightsbooks.com
My Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDonnaWright
Give us a quick introduction on yourself and your book.
My name
is Donna Wright and I live in East Tennessee.
I write sweet romance for Montlake/Avalon Books.
My books
are called the Tennessee: Love Series and in order are:
Inadmissible:
Love
Found:
Love
Diagnosis:
Love
Verdict:
Love
What inspired you to write your first book?
I kept
trying to write inspirational romance and friends pointed out that I needed to
use my crazy sense of humor to write romantic comedy. On the way to a writer’s conference a bunch
of us came up with the idea of a pig being a pivotal character. I took it from there.
Do you have a specific writing style?
Yes, I am
what is referred to as a panster. I
usually have an idea that is pretty much solid, but the characters then write
themselves.
How did you come up with the title?
The
original title of the first book was THIS LITTLE PIGGY WENT TO COURT.
Avalon changed it to Inadmissible: Love. After that, I came up with the
other titles
based on the characters’ jobs.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
These
books are mostly for fun, but if they were to have a message, it would be that
romance doesn’t mean sex. It’s about
emotions a journey that can end happily.
How much of the book is realistic?
Ft. White
is really Knoxville, TN and I use many of the points of interest in all of
them.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your
own life?
No. I do have a husband of almost 33 years, so I
had a romance with a happy ending.
That’s it.
What books have most influenced your life most?
I just
always loved romance stories and movies.
I got into reading and decided I wanted to write. I can’t really say one book or even one
author influenced me to write.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I think more than any other the
late Jane Bierce was a huge influence on me.
Other than she, I would have to say that for the most part the writers
of the Smoky Mountain Romance Writers mentored each other. Few of us really knew what we were doing but
somehow we all got published and wrote great books.
What book are you reading now?
Right
now, I’m in writing mode, so I have been mostly reading my own work. I enjoy many types of writing from all genres
of romance to the classics.
What are your current projects?
I have a
couple of things I’m working on. One is
a short story in the TN: Love universe.
The other is a regency set vampire story.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
I think
we’re back to the Smoky Mountain Romance Writers. They have been the one true source of
inspiration and have given me a boost every time I think about quitting.
Do you see writing as a career?
Yes. Emphatically, yes. I believe that’s where writers, and for that
matter, other artists are sucked into poor business decisions. Writing is a craft or art, but publication is
pure business. Don’t let anyone tell you
differently. If they do, they’re lying.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest
book?
I would be writing faster! LOL I have
no regrets in my TN: Love books. I had a
great editor. Erin Cartwright-Niumata
was absolutely the very best person and teacher and friend. I gave her a piggy for each book because I
just adored her. I have no regrets about
these books at all.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?+
One name:
Donny Osmond. I wrote stories about him
as a kid and grew up to publish romance.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
As I
said, I’ve got 2. One is my favorite
book I’ve ever worked on. I call it the
Shield of Orion and it’s about regency set vampires. That’s all I really want to say right now.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
YES. I find I have a huge problem with action
scenes. I have struggled with this one
for 2 months.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their
work?
I am a
huge fan of the one and only Jane Austen.
Her stories touch my heart and I honestly can’t explain why. I loved Persuasion and when looking only at
the books, not the wonderful movies that have been made of her works, I love
this story the best. I like books about
people who once knew each other but were torn apart for whatever reason.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
Funny you should ask. I am going to start a book tour soon. I want to go into towns and help promote
their libraries.
Who designed the covers?
The cover artist for all four
books was Tess Anson. She did a fabulous
job. They were originally to go into
libraries. If I had one regret though,
it would be that we couldn’t change them for mass-market. I think the cover does a lot for a book.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
I think it’s just working full
time, raising my son, being a wife and then having the time to write.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
Yes,
write fast! Look if you want to write
and be published by one of the big boys, here’s the best advice anyone
can give
you. This is business. As nice and
friendly as your editor/agent is, you are your next book. It’s not a
bad thing, it’s just a fact. If you want to write, write and write
fast. Keep the inventory going, even if your story
isn’t picked up. It will make a great book
to introduce to that editor/agent when you sell that 2nd or 3rd
book.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank
you. I mean that from the bottom of my
heart. Thanks so much for reading and I
hope you are enjoying the work.
