Interview with Dara Girard
BBR: Let me introduce you to Author Dara Girard. She is the author of Illusive Flame (06), Carefree (05), Gaining Interest (04), Table for Two (03) Sapphire Pendant (8/06) and A Writers Guide to Resilience: How To Bounce Back When You Want To Shatter (07).
Ms. Girard, can you start by giving a little background about yourself, i.e. how you started writing?
DG: I grew up in a household where stories were important. I’ve always been a writer. I was one of those children who created their own plays and community newsletters in their spare time. I stared submitting novels as a child (not something I would recommend, but I was ambitious at the time). Those stories were mostly mysteries and fantasies. I didn’t focus on the romance genre until my late teens. Once I mixed my love of mystery and romance I finally got a Yes.
BBR: Since you write romance, what other genres do you like to read?
DG: As I stated earlier, I love mystery and fantasy novels. I also enjoy quirky mainstream books and the classics: witty (like Twain and Dumas) rather than tragic (like Tolstoy). When it comes to what I like to read I run the gamut as long as I can come away hopeful.
BBR: Because you write full-time, do you work better by a schedule?
DG: I probably should, but I don’t. If I have a deadline I’ll put in eight to ten hours a day. I work best in the morning and evening so I leave the afternoon for correspondence, running errands, writing articles or other non-fiction pursuits. I write everyday, but I don’t have a page count or hour limit.
BBR: What projects are you currently working on?
DG: I’ve just completed going over the proofs of my fifth novel, The Sapphire Pendant, a women’s fiction that is scheduled for release August 2006. I’m also working on a book that will feature a minor character from my Henson trilogy as a lead character. Many readers wanted to know more about this character and so did I and it’s fun to go back to familiar characters and settings. The book is scheduled to be released January 2007.
BBR: What is your favorite piece of work to date?
DG: I don’t have any. Some were easier to write than others, but every project has its own charm.
BBR: How can readers learn more about your books?
DG: If people want to know more about my books, they can visit my website at www.daragirard.com and if they want to keep track of what I’m doing I have a free newsletter readers can subscribe to. I’m also a member of Access Romance and they can go to this site to find out about my books.
BBR: Describe your ideal hero?
DG: Someone who has courage, honor, integrity, kindness and a great sense of humor.
BBR: What is the most romantic thing someone has ever done for you and did you write about it?
DG: I’d hate to hurt anyone’s feelings so I won’t say, but I’ve had wonderful men in my life (there is hope ladies!) who have treated me kindly. However, I don’t include moments from my real life in my work. An imagination is a terrible thing to waste.
BBR: Where do you get your ideas for your characters?
DG: Ideas just come. Characters usually just pop up in my mind and start telling me stories. I’m certain I’m influenced by life but not consciously. I’ve never looked at someone in my real life and thought ‘Oh I’ll make you a character in my book’ (unless of course I am thinking of killing them off.)
BBR: Would you ever consider writing in another genre? If so, which one?
DG: I already am. I’m putting together a fantasy and working on a wonderful mystery series. I’ll probably write them under another name, but my readers don’t have to worry. There are plenty of stories that will be coming from Dara Girard.
Ms. Girard, thank you again for taking your time. I encourage all Ms. Girard’s old and new fans to be on the lookout for more great reads from the very talented Dara Girard.
Interview by: A.C. Arthur, Black Butterfly Reivew