Interview with Darcy Delany
What is one of your favorite things about writing?
I love exploring the nuances of human interaction through my characters. I enjoy examining what makes people ‘tick’: their motivations, doubts and struggles. Having an excuse to travel to place I wouldn’t otherwise go in the name of ‘research’ is another perk!
When you’re brainstorming for a new story, what usually comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
I tend to rely on my intuition, so for me it is a very random process! I might hear a line in a song, or overhear a remark, and ‘bang!’ a book is born—that is how I Don’t Date in December came to life. Quite often I see a picture in a magazine and know ‘that’s my hero/heroine!’ Pinterest is another source of inspiration-I like saving writing prompts for future use.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I wrote my first novel as a pantser and after spending years trying to fix it, I’m now a converted plotter! I have experimented with many different models over the years and keep refining my plotting method as I learn new techniques. You can’t plan everything though-I like to make sure the story arc is tight and has action in all the right places, then let the creative process fill in the gaps.
When you’re writing, who is more in control, you or your characters?
I used to find it strange when writers said ‘my characters took over my book,’ but it does happen! I’ll have a beautiful plan that becomes a relic as my characters assert their personality! I think that is a good thing, it shows me that my characters are developing in a realistic way.
Can you write sex scenes at any time or do you have to be “in the mood?”
People want to be swept away during intimate passages, and I’m a big believer that what’s in your heart comes out on the page. If I do write intimate scenes when I’m not “in the mood” I’ll refine when I am, so the passage has the right emotional tone.
What do you like best about writing?
The freedom to explore eras and situations that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. For example, I’ve always been fascinated by the medieval era, so I wrote a book set in 13th C England to immerse myself in that time. It’s the closest I’ll get to having a time machine!
What is the most difficult thing about writing?
Line editing-that painstaking process of going through your work and ensuring that your sentences ‘pack a punch’ and are grammatically accurate.
What do you like about writing series books?
I love being able to extend my love affair with characters I’ve really enjoyed writing. A series also allows me to show different ‘shades’ of a character.
What is one of your favorite ways to learn about your characters?
Start writing. It is only when my characters respond to people and problems that their true nature comes out!
What do you feel are some of the pros and cons of electronic publishing (instead of traditional print format)?
I think epublishing is marvelous- readers can download a book anytime, anywhere and start reading. A con of epublishing is cutting through all the ‘noise’ on the internet and connecting readers with your work.
What do you feel are some of the pros and cons of indie publishing?
Indie publishing allows authors to reach readers directly, without publishers deciding what readers want to read. I think that’s incredibly exciting for both readers and authors.
Some time ago I would have said a con of indie publishing was amount of work required to market your book, but I see traditional publishers having to do the same amount of marketing as Indie published authors!
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
Everywhere—conversations I hear, experiences I have, things I read. Writers are like sponges-we soak up everything around us for later use!
What do you like best about writing menage?
I don’t write ménage, but it would provide a rich playground for exploring the darker human emotions: jealousy, power, manipulation!
What do you like best about writing erotic romance?
I haven’t written an erotic romance, but writing about anything intimate enables you to connect with readers in a very personal way, and doing that well is a great skill.
What are your favorite research resources?
I’m a huge fan of Pinterest, being a visual person, for characters and setting. For historical research the National Library in Canberra is fantastic—I do feel like a kid in a lolly shop when I go there. I also like to watch movies and documentaries. This approach really helped me bring the details of thirteenth century England to life in my historical fiction novel, Guardian of the Grail.
What usually comes first for you, characters or plot?
Either! Whichever one speaks to me first and demands to be written!
Do you find it harder to write novels or short stories?
Short stories are harder because the shorter word length requires a very clear story arc—not so great if you’re a pantser. Short stories are easier to edit than novels though, so they do have the advantage there.
Would you tell us about your latest release?
Love to! My current release, I Don’t Date in December, is Book One in the Modern Day Fairy Tale Series. Here’s the blurb:
Successful Sydney-based consultant Blaise Lee is on the cusp of securing a partnership and a coveted office with harbour views. But it comes at a price.
It means she can’t date in December. Any time she tries, work interferes and men drift away like the memory of a bad Christmas present.
When Blaise is sent on a last minute business trip to Cairns in December, she meets Jonty Lucca. Tall, dark hair, rippling muscles and a smattering of stubble, Jonty is the sort of man she’d date in a heartbeat—if it wasn’t December.
Army Captain Jonty Lucca has just secured a dream job with the Australian SAS. His itinerant army lifestyle has played havoc with his relationships before, so he’s not looking for a girlfriend before he posts out to Perth.
But when he meets Blaise he falls under the spell of L’incantesimo. The enchantment. And he’s not about to let Blaise walk out of his life, regardless of her rule about not dating in December.
It’s a story about a strong woman who meets her match, but they both have to learn to trust what they have with each other to make it work.
What are you working on now?
I am currently writing Book Three in the Modern Day Fairy Tale Series. It’s called The Charm Offensive, and it’s about a lackluster politician whose luck changes when he starts channeling classic movie stars.
Do you have an excerpt from your latest release you would like to share?
This is an excerpt that introduces Blaise Lee, the heroine from I Don’t Date in December. Straight away you get a sense of her directness but it’s balanced by her sense of humour.
“December. Just saying, it makes me cringe. My calendar, innocently sane at this point, won’t stay that way. Look at it, lots of white clear spaces, almost a blank sheet of paper. ‘Come write on me! Your time is free!’
Then some evil calendar elf will play havoc with my life, throwing last minute projects, clashing social engagements, and irascible work colleagues in my direction, and the calendar will be a sea of blue marking out a churning ocean of ‘musts’ and ‘shoulds’. Things my life coach tells me I need to stop handing my power over to. Easy for her to say, she hasn’t tried making partner in a consulting firm, a place I equate to a shark pool.”
What three words would the hero of your story use to describe his love interest?
Gorgeous, determined, smart.
What three words would the heroine of your story use to describe her love interest?
Masculine, romantic, honourable.
If the main characters in your latest release were invited to a masquerade party, what costumes would they wear?
Blaise would be in something saucy, like floor length gown with a risqué slit up to the thigh! Jonty would be a pirate-he has a good sense of humour and would love making Blaise laugh with cheeky comments supposedly coming from the stuffed parrot on his shoulder about other guests.
What makes the hero of I Don’t Date in December hot?
Jonty Lucca is tall, dark and handsome, but he also has old-fashioned values. He’s also the strong, silent type, but knows just what to say to make his lady melt into his arms! The fact that his words come from his heart makes them all the more effective.
Would you give us a sneak peek at one of your upcoming releases?
Just for you, Kate!:) This is an extract from Book Two of the Modern Day Fairy Tale Series called The Go-Between. It’s a story about Amalie Duckworth, a public servant who’s been bullied by her boss but finds her mojo after being fired.
“’Amalie, do you have a minute?’ My stomach sinks as my boss’s message blinks on my screen. Do you have a minute is as ominous as ‘we need to talk,’ despite how innocent it sounds.
Sure. I press send and stand up from my newly purchased ergonomic chair made from recycled plastic bags, glad to escape its unique chemical perfume, before remembering to check my teeth for stray pieces of morning tea. The white filigree mirror that sits on my desk is not a testament to my vanity, but a gift from my best friend and flat mate Masina to repel the bad feng shui of having my back to the walkway. Apparently sitting that way makes you vulnerable to negative vibes. I pick off a patch of flaking skin, and scrape back the strands of mousy blonde hair that escaped my attempt at a loose bun. I’ll never be good enough for Natasha. Nevertheless, I pull my unruly hair pieces back before taking the few steps to Natasha’s glass walled office, my feet dragging with every step.”
Do you have a favorite character or characters you feel especially close to?
Blaise is a favourite of mine, as is Lexy Duncan, a forthright Scottish-Chinese historian in an upcoming story called Knight in Cowboy Hat.
Would you share one of the sexiest or most romantic lines from one of your books?
I’ve picked a line that shows how Jonty’s romantic wooing makes Blaise melt rather than one of the slinkier lines. Romance is a process, and a man has to earn a woman’s trust before she will become vulnerable to him. Jonty tells Blaise exactly how he feels about her—no games, no fancy speeches. Blaise’s direct nature respects that openness, and it is exactly what Blaise needs to trust him with her heart.
‘Prosecco, from a little village I visited last year. I’ve been waiting for a special occasion to drink it.’
Gooseflesh ripples over me and unbidden tears well up in my eyes. No man has ever gone to so much trouble for a date with me, let alone shared something so special to him on one.
What are a few of your favorite book covers that have been done for your books?
The cover for I Don’t Date in December! The smouldering couple represent Blaise and Jonty perfectly. The woman is looking directly at the reader—and her expression combines her directness and fire. The man is the softer of the two, and is totally focused on the woman—very much like Jonty!
If you could meet one of your characters, which one would it be?
I’d love to have cocktails with Blaise—we are both very forthright so we’d get along well!
Do you prefer writing your heroes, your heroines or do you like writing both equally?
I like writing them both, equally. I enjoy the opportunity to show the noble qualities of men through my heroes.
If you were a shapeshifter and could become any one item owned by your latest romance hero (or heroine), what would it be?
The vase that Jonty caresses as he thinks about Blaise!
If you could step into one of your books, which one would it be?
Definitely I Don’t Date in December. Most of the action takes place in Cairns, my favourite city in Australia. Some tropical warmth would be nice right now, given I’m in the middle of a Canberra winter!
Would you share a favorite quote from your latest hero, heroine or villain?
‘Why do women always do that? As soon as you mention you’re Scottish, they always look there, as if wondering what I look like wearing a kilt.’ He puts his hands over his privates in a display of mock modesty, twisting one leg inward in a knock-kneed position.
I love this line from Jonty. It happens early in the story, and shows how he uses his sense of humour to win Blaise over. There’s a sense of quiet showmanship about it-he’s playing the clown for Blaise’s benefit, and her response encourages him to pursue her—for a time!
Would you tell us about yourself?
I trained as a lawyer but quickly became bored with the restrictive nature of the legal profession. Writing was something that had always come easily to me, but I’d really buried that creative side of me in pursuit of a ‘real’ job. Then a few years ago I felt the call to write. It was time to stop being who I thought I should be and start doing what I loved. I started writing children’s manuscripts, then I gained my confidence and progressed to a novel. Once I started, I became obsessed! I write part time around a day job and love the balance that gives me—I get to work the rational and creative sides of my brain each day.
I’m based in Canberra, Australia, which has a very active writing community. Its cold climate is quite conducive to writing! I enjoy golf, sailing and am partial to karaoke. My red wine sangria is legendary!
What are your favorite genres to read and write?
I love writing contemporary romance, science fiction, and historical fiction. I have a lot of interests, so I need a write across a few genres to cover them all!
My reading preferences are similarly broad-I read biographies, military history, historical fiction and romance.
Where can we visit you online?
You can connect with me on Facebook (facebook.com/darcydelanyauthor), Pinterest (Darcydelanyauth) and Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15304692.Darcy_Delany).
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
I love relaxing with family and friends, sharing good food and stories.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing seriously now for three years, and boy what a journey it’s been! I love being part of the friendly and generous writing community- writing is never lonely with so many kindred spirits supporting you!
To you what makes a great romance hero?
A great romance hero for me is one who has a sense of honour, and is confident enough in his masculinity to give his heart to a woman.
To you what makes a great romance heroine?
For me, a great romantic heroine takes her destiny in her own hands. She is smart, strong and sassy, too—Scarlett O’Hara is a classic example!
Do you have any particular writing habits? (Listening to music, best time of day to write, etc.)
I write in the mornings, before I head off to my day job. Doing what I love first thing sets the tone for the rest of my day.
I love listening to music to get in the mood to write a scene, and as a background to editing. I’m quite partial to Icelandic music for editing—it has a haunting quality that puts me in the right mindset to focus on detail.
Where would you go on your dream vacation?
Antarctica! I’m fascinated by Antarctica’s rugged beauty, and would love to explore the country that explorers such as Shackleton wrote about so vividly.
Name three fictional characters (not your own) that you find hot. They can be from books, movies, or TV.
Who can go past Rhett Butler from Gone with the Wind? Suave, handsome and very much his own man. Jamie Fraser from the Outlander series of books—he puts his life in danger many a time for the woman he loves, as well as his family and his country. And last but not least, Donald Draper of Mad Men fame-I know he’s a rascal, but he’s gorgeous! But then Jon Hamm does play a good rascal.
If you could be any kind of shapeshifter, what kind would you be?
An eagle—majestic, powerful and mysterious!
What is your favorite season?
I love long, warm summer days.
What book are you currently reading?
I’m reading two—the only way to get through my ‘to be read’ pile! The first is The Druid’s Sword by Sara Douglass, a paranormal historical romance where the characters are enmeshed in an evil supernatural game responsible for historical disasters such as World War II and the Great Fire of London. It is a grand saga that spans centuries, and is written with a skill and intricacy that I can only hope to emulate one day.
I am also reading The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden by Jonas Jonasson; a fun read about an African girl who turns disasters to her advantage, and outwits many a man who thinks she’s benign because of her sex and class. There are some interesting relationships in the story, including an angry young woman who has a hankering to be arrested and her boyfriend, who is determined to eliminate the King of Sweden. Jonasson writes with a dry wit and humour that makes me laugh out loud every page!
I’ve just finished reading Amy Rose Bennet’s Lady Beauchamp’s proposal and am about to start Anna Campbell’s Stranded with the Scottish Earl.
What is the last movie you watched?
The Black Book, about a Dutch-Jewish singer, Rachel Stein, who joins the Dutch resistance in World War II. Rachel agrees to help free captured resistance members by seducing SD commander Hauptsturmführer Ludwig Müntze. But she falls for him instead, and becomes enmeshed in a web of double-crossing that sees her become hunted by both the resistance and the Germans. World War II stories have a particular fascination for me—I can’t help but wonder how I would act in similar circumstances.
What is your favorite comfort food?
Hot potato chips or potato crisps of varying flavours!
Do you have any pets?
Not at the moment, but my dream pets are two chocolate schnoodlesJ
Title: I Don’t Date in December
Author: Darcy Delaney
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Successful Sydney-based consultant Blaise Lee is on the cusp of securing a partnership and a coveted office with harbour views. But it comes at a price.
It means she can’t date in December. Any time she tries, work interferes and men drift away like the memory of a bad Christmas present.
When Blaise is sent on a last minute business trip to Cairns in December, she meets Jonty Lucca. Tall, dark hair, rippling muscles and a smattering of stubble, Jonty is the sort of man she’d date in a heartbeat—if it wasn’t December.
Army Captain Jonty Lucca has just secured a dream job with the Australian SAS. His itinerant army lifestyle has played havoc with his relationships before, so he’s not looking for a girlfriend before he posts out to Perth.
But when he meets Blaise he falls under the spell of L’incantesimo. The enchantment. And he’s not about to let Blaise walk out of his life, regardless of her rule about not dating in December.
Author Bio
Darcy Delany writes contemporary romance and chick lit featuring strong, sassy and quirky heroines.
Darcy loves history, fabulous food and old movies. A fan of British home shows, Darcy dreams of one day restoring a Georgian mansion, if she can pay contractors to do all the hard work for her.
Links
Facebook:facebook.com/darcydelanyauthor
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15304692.Darcy_Delany
Pinterest:Darcydelanyauth
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