Tell us about yourself.
Growing up in a rural area meant that kids my age were few and far
between. When I wasn’t reading, I made up my own friends. I also made up my own
stories. Life went on. I married, had two kids, did a lot of volunteering in
church, school, and scouts. When those kids went off to college, I decided it
was MY time. That’s when I sat down and wrote my first novel-length story. And
got my first (of many) rejections. I’m now a hybrid author. I have two novels
published by small presses and eight that I self-pubbed. My favorite genre is
science fiction romance, followed closely by cozy mysteries and romantic
suspense. I love the flexibility of being an independent writer because it
allows me to choose what I want to write and when to release them.
How long does it take you to write a book?
It depends. I thought my current book would take much less time than it
did. But that was a rewrite of a book started fifteen years ago. (It’s much
easier to start from scratch.) My goal this year was to release three books.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
As soon as I get up, I grab a cup of coffee and open my computer. I
wish I could say I don’t read email or play games first. LOL As soon as
possible, I get into my work-in-progress. I reread part of what I wrote the day
before then keep going. I’ll break for lunch then either write more or
read/respond to email, check out blogs, write an upcoming blog post. I’m a
monthly contributor to Pandora’s Box Gazette and Paranormal Romantics and a
bi-monthly contributor to The Roses of Prose blog.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I used to enjoy gardening. As much as I love my flowers, Hubs takes
care of them now. Since knee replacement surgeries, I can’t kneel and bending
over kills my back. I love to quilt but don’t make time. I read a lot. My favorite
activity is playing (babysitting) my five grandchildren. Sometimes it’s the two
older ones (11 & 8½); other times it’s the 8-month-old twins and their
3-yr-old sister; or all 5 together—that’s the best since the older 2 love to
entertain the others. I love setting everything aside to concentrate on them. They
are so much fun (work, too) and much more fun than raising their parents. LOL
What do you think makes a good story?
A great story captures my attention from Chapter 1 and keeps me turning
the pages. I want adventure, action, humor, romance, and emotion with a
satisfying ending. Since that’s what I like to read, it’s what I like to write.
Where do you start when writing? Research, plotting, outline, or...?
An idea will pop in my head, usually as I’m drifting off to sleep. I’ll
jot it down and when ready (i.e., finish my current wip and ready for something
new) I’ll just start typing. I don’t write long-hand because my brain works
faster than my fingers, and I can’t read what I’ve written. I keep writing
until I get to about Chapter 8. I’ll have a vague idea where the story is going
and what might happen along the way. This is when I need to be more specific. I
don’t actually plot, but I’ll make detailed notes. I research on the fly. That
is, when I need to know something I look it up. I learned the hard way to save
the link to my research.
If I were a first-time reader of your books, which one would you
recommend I start with?
If you like science fiction romance, start with Switched. My
first published book. If you prefer contemporary light-hearted mysteries, try The Case of the Bygone
Brother (first in my Alex O’Hara PI mysteries). If you like romantic
suspense, try my new release Numbers Never Lie.
What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work?
I hope they are satisfied and happy that they’ve taken the time to read
my book.
Tell us about your latest release.
Numbers Never Lie,
a romantic suspense, takes place around West Michigan, from Muskegon (on the
Lake Michigan coast) to Grand Rapids (Michigan’s 2nd largest city).
Maggie, her brother Jack, and Drew were inseparable as kids, despite the boys
always trying to lose Maggie. Later, when Jack dies in a car crash, she
suspects foul play. She enlists a reluctant Drew to help—not just with her
investigation but as chaperone for camping trips with a group of
fourteen-year-olds, including his daughter. Drew despises being sweaty and
dirty, definitely not an outdoor guy. When his best friend, Jack dies, it’s
like Drew’s wife’s fatal accident all over. Though he vows to protect Maggie,
her independent spirit fights against his attempts to help her, even though he has
doubts about investigating Jack’s death. Being in close proximity, Maggie’s
teenage crush for Drew revives. Drew finally allows himself to put aside his
grief from his wife’s passing and acts on his attraction. Now they must figure
out what really happened to Jack.
 |
Numbers Never Lie
is available at Amazon.
|
A shocking secret
brings danger to Jack Sinclair and his sister Maggie. Jack's an accountant, Maggie,
a teacher and camping troop leader, and their best friend is Drew, is a lawyer.
As kids, they
were the fearless threesome. Upon returning from a weekend camping trip, Maggie
receives horrifying news. She refuses to believe her brother Jack’s fatal car
crash is an accident. If the police won’t investigate, she’ll do it herself.
Convincing Drew Campbell to help is her goal because he loved Jack as much as
she did.
Drew Campbell was
too busy to attend a camping meeting important to his teen daughter, too busy
to stay in touch with Jack, too busy to return his best friend’s phone call. Prodded
by guilt, he’ll help Maggie even if he thinks she’s wrong, because logic and
reason indicate Jack’s accident was just that--an accident caused by fatigue
and fog.
A break-in at
Jack’s condo convinces Maggie she’s right. Then her home is searched. What did Jack do that has also put her in danger?
Meet The Author
Diane
Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction and romance
into writing romantic fiction. Besides the science fiction romance Switched and
Outer Rim series, she is the author
of One Red Shoe, a romantic suspense, and the Alex O’Hara PI mystery series.
She is also a contributor to two anthologies: Portals, Volume 2 and How I Met
My Husband. Diane and her husband live in West Michigan. They have two children
and five grandchildren.
Connect with Diane Burton online at:
ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER TO WIN A $10 AMAZON
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Hybrid author is the place to be right now. Congratulations, Diane!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex. Being a hybrid works for me!
DeleteI like that too! I'll have to use "hybrid author" also!
DeleteThanks so much for having me here today, Lisa.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Diane! Hope you have a busy day!
DeleteIdeas always pop into my head when I'm going to sleep. It's frustrating, but sometimes I can remember them in the morning! Thanks for the post! The book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kara. It is frustrating when those ideas come. I need a pen with a light to write in the dark. :)
DeleteYes! The freedom of indie publishing is amazing. Congrats on your new release, Diane!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alina. I'm pleased with indie publishing.
DeleteIf you haven't read Diane Burton's books, you are missing out on a great treat. I love her stories.
ReplyDeleteConnie, that is so sweet. I really appreciate the endorsement. :)
DeleteGreat interview. I wish I could discipline myself to write each day. I definitely need to write before I start reading email and Facebook! Congrats on the release, love this book!
ReplyDeleteI would love to be able to write all day long. Best wishes, Diane. Thank you for featuring Diane, Lisa.
ReplyDelete