A famous writer

     A long time ago I met another author who wanted to swap book reviews.  I was good with that, it's always good to have reviews of your books.  Her name is Dawne Prochilo, and I read her first book, "Crape Myrtle."

     I thought it was a good story, and gave her a good review.  Feel free to take a look if you have a Kindle:  http://www.amazon.com/Crape-Myrtle-ebook/dp/B003FL6X6G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1291433442&sr=1-1

     Anyway, we ended up chatting and exchanging an email now and then, and became friends.  Dawne's quite a good writer, and moving up in the world!  She'll still tell you that she's just a small town writer, maybe slightly famous where she lives.  But I think truthfully she's building up quite a following with the stories she's writing.  She has quite a different style of writing than I do, and you might even say she writes in an entirely different genre than I do.  She writes what she describes as "erotic" stories.  Interaction between men and women, where I usually write about a bunch of wild, crazy, characters doing insane things.

     I decided to ask her if she would mind being interviewed for my blog.  I don't have a ton of readers, but the few that I do, I thought might like to meet my friend.  (I also figured I would see if she'll let me post this interview on her facebook page.  She has a lot of fans that might like to read just a bit more about her!  *chuckle*)  So, without further ado, here are the questions I asked her:

You've written and published a number of books so far, do you remember back when you were writing your first? What is its title, and what was it about?

Yes I do. It was the most intense book I've written to date. I spent hours and hours writing, editing, revising and finally selling that book. Crape Myrtle is by far my favorite novel to date. It's a suspense romance about a woman, Sadie Callaghan, and the local sheriff, Walt Malone. Her life is threatened, he's investigating a string of religious vandalisms- with Sadie being a prime suspect and as they clash over the investigations, their feelings and attraction can't be missed.  

I understand you've also just received a contract to publish one of your latest books called "When We Meet Again." Can you tell us a bit about it?

It's a contemporary romance about two friends from high school that were inseparable, and in love but never admitted it to each other. The story takes place over the course of 25 years, from high school through her abusive marriage and divorce, his strained marriage and pending divorce and eventually having them meet up and share their love. It's a story about second chances at love and finding your true love.

I know it's quite a thrill when you get a book published. Does that feeling ever wear off for you? Or are you just as excited each time you get a new book coming out?

It's a feeling that never gets old. Every book release, signed contract and promotion is a new experience for me. My stomach flutters, my nerves are on edge and my psyche gets regenerated for the next novel. 

Ok, here are the obligatory general questions: Tell me a bit about yourself, and how you got into writing.  When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I'm mother of three grown children and live in rural Michigan where there's more cows and corn than residents. It's a very serene piece of heaven where I live and I love it.

I'm currently a full time writer. I freelance for a local newspaper, write SEO and web content for various websites and am the Administrative Editor of the WM Review Connection and a Contributing editor for the WM Freelance Writers' website. I also contribute to five blogs weekly and coordinate blog tours for two romance blogs. All in all, I don't have time for another career but I do substitute teach when needed.

I knew I wanted to be a writer during my freshman year of high school. I fell in love with writing during English class when we were asked to write a short story. I dove in, wrote to my heart's desire and never looked back.

My first official and paying writing gig was back in 1999, when I was a freelance writer for a local newspaper. Since then I have worked for four different publications. 

What is your personal favorite of all the writing you've done? Or do you like everything the same?

My personal favorite would have to be Crape Myrtle my first published book. I spent about five years writing, editing and trying to sell the book. I developed a relationship with the characters, rooted for their love and finally felt sadness when their story was complete.

For the last bit, I'd like to ask what's next for you? Do you have any new books, or stories in the works?  (I know you do, but people reading this might not.) Feel free to tell us about anything you'd like, and whatever you're doing now, or in the future!

I'm currently editing When We Meet Again, I have a collection of short erotic stories for adults that I'm always dabbling with in my down time and I just started a new novel about a call-in radio sex therapist and her menagerie of callers with sex issues. This one has humor and is real fun. And finally, I'm collaborating with a friend and fellow writer, Robert Wacaster, on a novel set in 1944 about two high school friends and their long distance love. This is where Robert can fill in the storyline if he wants. I'm real excited about this book and I've never collaborated before so this is real new territory for me.

 Crape Myrtle July 2009

On Her Own- July 2009

When We Meet Again- Valentines' Day 2011

Room 11- February 2011

Rachel's Desire- March 2011

     Ok...so she's going to throw the ball back in my court?  I guess I can spill a bit.  Yes, Dawne and I did decide to work together on a novel.  It's set in 1944 and is about a boy and girl who had feelings for each other in high school.  After graduation, the boy leaves for the army and World War 2 while she stays back in Detroit and ends up doing a "Rosy the Riveter" thing in a factory.  Will she stay loyal to him, or will she find another, closer love while at home and far away from him?  

     This book raises a few challenges for both of us.  We had agreed on trying to make the book as historically correct as we can, which is going to take a LOT of research!  On my side, as I write about the male character (Sam Benson) I want to make certain I write about him going to boot camp at the correct base.  I want to make certain he received his training in the correct places, and most important of all, I want to make certain he ends up in a unit that actually served in Europe, and is in the same places the unit actually was.  Yes, I could make all this stuff up myself, but we decided we didn't want to do that.  The book will still be fiction, it'll just have realistic overtones.

     For Dawne, she's decided she wants to take her research into the factories that were back in Detroit in 1944.  She's already caught me once on the language used back in the 40's, and expects me to keep the 1940's slang.  (A research project in itself!)  She wants to look into hairstyles, clothing, where people went, what they did...I had thought her part of the book might be easier than mine, but I guess not!  She's going to be putting in a ton of work, too!  And we don't even have a title yet!  But since books take months, if not years to write, I think we have time.

     I really want to thank Dawne for letting me interview her today, and for giving me this upcoming chance to collaborate with her.  She's quite a talented woman, and I'm thrilled to work with her!

Thanks, Dawne.