Hello, We are happy to have Dana Marton with us today. On behalf of Coffee Time Romance We want to wish Ms. Marton a warm Welcome. Today, we are asking Ms. Marton about her story, Rogue Soldier, a Suspense Adventure released on February, 2006 by Harlequin.
Could you please tell us about your latest release, Rogue Soldier?
-Thank you for having me!!! It’s such a thrill to be interviewed by Coffee Time Romance, one of my all-time-favorite sites. About the book… Rogue Soldier is the story of Mike and Tessa who had lost each other in the past and now are getting a second chance at love. The fact that they are the country’s only hope for stopping a shipment of stolen nuclear warheads from leaving the country, does complicate things, however. 🙂
This time the hero wasn’t my only favorite character in a book, bar none, because I also loved your heroine for her bravery and heart. Who was your favorite character in this book and why?
–I have to say the hero. He is such a guy. The man has a healthy ego so he’s pretty surprised when he realizes that Tessa doesn’t want him back.
Where do you get the inspiration for your characters?
–I love stories about real life heroes, but also the inspiration comes from the conflict itself that’s in the book. Different types of plots call for a different type of hero and heroine.
Sometimes environment can almost be another character. The Alaskan terrain was both an enemy and an ally for the two main characters at different times. Do you do a lot of research on the locations and circumstances of your books? If so, how?
–I love doing research so I tend to do a lot of it. Which doesn’t mean that I always get everything right. 🙁 I usually start with the internet, then search online bookstores to see if they have any nonfiction titles that would be helpful. I also try to talk to people who have experience in what I’m writing about. For ROGUE SOLDIER, a group of wonderful ladies who live in Alaska helped me to get things right about the weather and wild life.
How did you decide that you would be a writer, and what helped you make that decision?
–I’ve been always writing. To start submitting seemed like a natural transition. I don’t remember a conscious decision that happened at one point. Writing was just what I wanted to do for as long as I can remember.
When you get an idea for a book, do you start out with a character in mind, or does the plot come to you first?
–I usually think of the plot first, either the very beginning of the book or the main conflict.
Do you find yourself reading more or less now that you write?
–Probably about the same. I love reading so I always make time for it even when deadlines are tight. I usually read at least one book per week, but sometimes a lot more than that, depending on what else is going on.
What is your favorite genre and/or author?
–This is so hard to respond to. I read just about everything, except for horror and sci-fi (and even one of those might tempt me from time to time). I love romantic suspense and large relationship books like what Patricia Gaffney writes. I love Susan Forster and Susanne Redmond, Nora Roberts, Barbara Kingsolver, Margaret Atwood, Clive Cussler, Mika Waltari, the list really is too long.
What are your hobbies?
I love reading, of course, and browsing antique stores, gardening, home decorating (to my husband’s chagrin since he always ends up with lots of projects 🙂 )
I noticed that the sled dogs play an important part in your story. Do you have pets of your own?
We’ve had lots of pets over the years. Right now we have two parakeets and a dog and hoping to get a puppy in the spring.
Describe your perfect ‘writing’ day.
Every day is perfect as long as there’s time in it for reading and writing. As far as “perfect writing days” go, I’m not sure if there’s such a thing. But if I have fresh ideas and the pages seem to flow, it’s a very good day.
If you suffer from ‘writer’s block’ is there a way you break out of it?
My new trick is to do 30 minutes of yoga. It helps every time.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Keep writing. When you submit the first ms, don’t stop to wait for a response. Start on the 2nd book immediately. It took me about 12 years to get published. My first book to get to the shelves, SHADOW SOLDIER, was my 5th completed manuscript, and I had lots of other projects in between that I didn’t finish. I sold my 1st book 3 years ago, and sold 12 novels + a novella since then. To build name recognition, you’ll need to write fast. Might as well start training now. Good luck!!!
Do you have any chats, appearances, or upcoming events which you would like to share?
I will have an online chat on Feb. 21st at 8 p.m. EST on writerspace.com. I will also have a book signing in Atlanta in July at the RWA conference.
Can you share your website address with us?
www.danamarton.com — I always have a contest running (currently for a signed copy of any of my books + a $30 Barnes&Noble gift. cert). I also have a blog in case you’re wondering what’s going on with me, plus the excerpts from each of my books are posted there along with cover art and other interesting tidbits.
Thank you so much, Ms. Marton. I loved your story, one of my favorite kind with the strong female to make sure and keep the strong male from being too domineering. Although, I do find that sort of man very sexy, indeed. I really enjoyed this book, and I am so happy you agreed to an interview. Thanks from myself and Coffee Time Romance for chatting with us today.
Thank you!!!! Happy reading and writing, Everyone!
WOW ! Some wonderful questions and another great Interview, Coffee Time Romance wants to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Marton for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions. Thanks Ms. Marton.
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