Author Spotlight Shines On Dina Rae

I would like to welcome Dina Rae to Author spotlight today.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you became a writer.

I’m a former teacher who lost her job a year and half ago. Always wanted to be a writer and suddenly found the time.

So what better chance huh.

I know you write different genres like myself but do you have a certain theme or trademark to your stories?

Yes, I’ve written three so far, 2 published. All of them use extensive research and have supernatural elements to them.

Do you have an agent and how important do you think they are in the publication world?

I am unagented and have no idea about their importance.

Lol, not many writers do but in my opinion it is really up to where you want to go in your career.

How do your stories come to life, from fiction or fantasy?

I try using everyday dialogue and everyday problems to humanize my characters.

Are you a ‘go with the flow’ writer or do you have structure?

I have structure towards the end, but the beginning and middle are really vague notions that work themselves magically out when I put pen to paper.

I love when a story and the characters take on a life of their own, to me I feel when that happens I know I'm on the right track

Have you always wanted to be a writer or did you want to be something else?

I wanted to be a teacher and I was until I got laid off. Writing was always an unattainable dream, like being a professional tennis player.

What groups are you affiliated with and how have they helped you through your journey of publication?

I am a member of the American Christian Fiction Writer’s and can be found on Authonomy.com, a writer’s site. I belong to several google and yahoo reading groups as well. None of these groups have helped me get published, but they have helped my writing. I got published the old fashioned way, pounding the keyboard with queries and sample chapters to agencies and publishers who liked the genre my books were in. Yes, I have a copy of Jeff Herman’s Guide to Agents, Publishers, and Editors.

How much marketing do you involve yourself in and with the mass consumption of social media, does this play a part in your marketing choice?

Funny you ask. Was not one to jump on the Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/etc. bandwagon. Now I am. They are free and invaluable for promotion. I even built a blog, although it’s not ready, and purchased a domain, dinarae.co.

Here’s a random one for you. If you could be one animal, which would it be and why?

Dolphin-smart, pack animals who can communicate, and sweet

Oh, I so agree!

What would you say is your inspiration to write in general and scene based?

I love TV and the movies and books. Fiction has always been escape. It’s amazing to see a movie that you’ve created play inside of your mind.

I'm a visual creator also and I find it quite helpful when creating a scene and especially an action scene. DH would prefer the love scenes. lol

With your titles and covers, did you get much of a say in this matter and how important is it to you to have input?

Yes, I got full say from each publisher. And it’s very important. The cover needs to match the book’s description and give the potential reader an idea of what kind of book it is.

Do you have any tips for other aspiring writers or authors out there?

Read, read, write, write…Don’t ever put down your manuscript. Even if all you can come up with is a paragraph for the day. The longer it sits, the more likely you’ll never finish it. And when you read, notice how the author sets up the story, the plot, shifts into backstory, separates the chapters, etc. Invaluable information that truly helps.

So, I think we’ve gotten to know you a little now. How’s about we step it up a notch. Are you panicking? Lol. Do you have any dirty little secrets or confessions you’d like to share with us- what’s on the blog stays on the blog, right guys. (wink)

I fear a terrible review and an end to a career that has barely started.

Awwe, Dina. I think everyone at some point receives a not-so-charming review, but we can not please everybody.

Where’s your favourite place to write?

I write on my second-hand Queen Anne antique desk in my formal living room next to my baby grand piano which I should play more often.

Tell us of your releases- where and when can we buy them?

The Last Degree-www.dippub.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com (Released in January of 2012)

It’s free on Kindle right now! It’s about secret societies, New World Order, and the Tribulation. Goes with the 2012 theme this year, our time is up, but different.

Halo of the Damned-eternalpress.biz, barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, and many more. (Released February 2012)

It’s about a fallen angel who uses his advertising chain as a weapon for Satan’s work. Filled with some Biblical references and advertising ploys.

In one work, how would you best describe yourself? Adaptable.

Now that we’re all friends, tell us your most embarrassing moment?

Haha! Had too many to share when I was drinking, but I quit a long time ago. Recently, I get embarrassed when I’m late and have to walk into a room filled with people and find a place to sit-hate it. Usually an early bird.

I will be in Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?

Go buy a copy of The Last Degree and Halo of the Damned! The Last Degree will be free for 90 days on Kindle.

Well Thank you Dina and I hope you many sales in your future. To find out more about Dina Rae, go to her website http://dinarae.co/

Until next time, happy reading and writing.

Kez