What inspires you to write and why? I write because that is what and who I am. I don’t really feel like there is any other choice for me except to go back to being a closet writer. I don’t understand the force or Muse that seems to drop into my dreams or daydreams with sudden characters that are so vivid and alive that I feel I have no choice but to tell their story and a responsibility to tell their story well. I guess I would say that is what most defines me.
What is your greatest strength as a writer? When I read the reviews and emails, the two most common comments are that I am able to paint a scene well and that they love the characters. I don’t think I can take much credit for the characters. They seem to take on a life of their own and seriously crack me up!
Because my main characters typically come to me in a flash of what some may call inspiration, I instantly know who they are. I also know their basic story right then and there. That “flash of inspiration” or whatever one might call it, is a gift to me and I feel a tremendous responsibility to tell that characters story well.
But it seems to me that my greatest strength as a writer (and really probably my only innate skill where writing is concerned) is the ability to feel the flow of emotions in the story so that I know when we need to laugh, when we need to cry and emotions in between.
How did you come up with the title? All of the titles in the trilogy have to do with the main character Cassandra who has had various names over many lifetimes but is now called Valeria. She was a sibylline oracle —that means that she received visions for a god, in this case, Apollo.
The second novel is The Symbolon. Symbolon was the original name for soulmates as defined by Plato.
The Last Oracle refers to the fact that Valeria was/is the last of a line of oracles that Apollo sent to earth to make the world a better place. Because of that she was gifted with powers that she has not yet realized.
Why did you choose to write this particular book? It chose me! For years I’ve kept a log of stories I have in process. One day I was driving into D.C. and the story flashed into my head within seconds. I know this because I was approaching a tunnel and before I entered the tunnel the entire story was there.
There is a lot of mythology in this story and I had never studied mythology. I had to figure out how some of the things that I wrote could be and I had to figure out how to write the story.
What was the hardest part about writing this book? Writing something that I was pleased with was definitely the most difficult part. I didn’t have the confidence that I could actually write a fairly complex novel in this genre, yet I was compelled to write it.
Truly the most difficult thing for me was the knowledge that others would see my open heart on each and every page. I have sung and spoke in front of thousands but to know people would read my writing was terrifying.
Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it? First and foremost I realized that I could live the life of my dreams—and I do! Second I realized that I had the ability to write novels that people seem to like.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? My main purpose in writing is to entertain. I try to leave my soap box in my private closet when I feel the need to rant.
Having said that, I would never want to write a novel that totally abandoned my core beliefs.
I have always had a very significant issue with religious or racial intolerance. I don’t believe that there is one of us that hasn’t suffered from it and yet ignorance and envy seem to keep hatred alive. All of my novels have that as a subtheme.
Have you included a lot of your life experiences, even friends, in the plot? I want to buy a tee-shirt that says, “Caution! I am a writer and anything you say or do may end up in my next novel!” So true!
Most of the locations and apartments came from places I have lived or been. I created “the family”, a band of surviving oracles mostly from unique and charismatic people that I thought would be fun. Most of them are friends and a few of them are total fiction. Ava is completely fictional—would LOVE to hang with her! A few of the names have been changed to protect the wonderfully fun and loving oddballs.
Can we expect any more books from you in the future? Absolutely! I have several projects at various stages of completion that I’m excited to focus on once this trilogy is out. I’m in love with these other stories and characters and I hope others do to!
Also several fans have asked me to continue my current series based on the oracles. I have considered that and I’m playing with a storyline involving these unique characters.
What contributes to making a writer successful? Discipline and skill, great time management and a business sense about your books. Being a writer means being either loved or hated by very vocal groups (hopefully). I’ve found it best not to buy into the reviews, good or bad. I write as well as I can and put out a product that I believe in. Some people will like it and some will not.
Fortunately my numbers are stacked in the positive. That helps to keep me from going off the deep-end with a bad review. But sometimes there are lessons in the bad reviews; did I market to the wrong audience? Is there an issue with my book that needs to be fixed? Or is this just some unhappy person that feels the power of their voice while under the protection of a screen name or avatar? All writer’s seem to get their share and I pay no attention to those rantings as a reader or as a writer.
Lastly you need a team that you trust; coaches, editors, formatters and then write, write, write (and edit, edit, edit). Never forget you are a writer first and foremost!
What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing? I am a full-time novelist! That’s what I do! I’ve seen my trilogy on several of Amazon’s bestseller’s lists. I receive emails from people that love my books. That is just amazing to me! Oh—and I make money from my novels!
Do you have any upcoming appearances that you would like to share with us? I’m scheduled to be a guest author at Nora Robert’s “Girls Night Out” in Boonsboro, MD May 19th 6-9pm. I hear this is one of the favorite events at Turn the Page Bookstore!
Also I’ll be on numerous blogs over the next couple months promoting the third book in my trilogy: The Last Oracle. We are still in the planning stages of book signings and release parties. But we intend to do numerous book signings around the country. If you would like to see me in your part of the U.S. send me an email deliajcolvin@gmail.com.
If you could leave your readers with one bit of wisdom, what would you want it to be? Live the life that you want to live now! Don’t wait to create it.
Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre - Paranormal
Rating – PG
More details about the author & the book
Website http://www.deliacolvin.com/
1 comments:
Thank you for sharing your author interview. I love learning about how a writer tells their story.
Post a Comment