BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR BARBARA WHITE DAILLE

Barbara White Daille writes short contemporary romance. Today she sits down with us for an interview. Learn more about Barbara and her books at her website and blog.

When did you realize you wanted to write novels? 

I’d been writing fiction since I was about five, and in fourth grade I “published” my first short story—handwritten, with an illustrated cover. Seeing that made me know I wanted to write books, and I wrote my first novel—a mystery with a romantic subplot—when I was in the eighth grade.

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?

Decades, really, because I’d been writing for so long. (See previous answer.)  But from the time I made the decision to focus on writing to the day I sold my first short story was almost exactly one year.

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

Traditionally, in both print and e-book. I haven’t gone indie yet, but there may be a project or two in my future.

Where do you write?

In my home office, which is grander than it sounds. It’s a spare bedroom crowded with too many file cabinets and lots of books. Lots, because you can never have too many books!

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?

Golden. Music and other noises distract me.

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?

Nothing directly from real life, but when it comes to plots, often a headline in the news or something I read in a book or see on television will spark a what-if idea. With characters, I may pick up on an element or two from real people—a hobby, a hairstyle, a quirk, a favorite meal, almost anything—but usually these come from strangers I observe when I’m out in the world, not from people I know.

Describe your process for naming your character.

Brace yourself for this one!  :)  My characters don’t become real to me until I come up with their names. Or maybe better said, until they tell me. The names have to fit the characters’ personalities. They can’t sound too close to or (usually) have the same initials as someone else in the story. That “rule” can get broken when characters from one book show up in other books in the same series, although even then, I try hard not to overuse the same initial letters. First and last names must sound good together. And the heroine’s first name must go well with the hero’s last name because, after all, I write romance, and eventually those two will get together!

Real settings or fictional towns?

Fictional. They’re more fun, and I can put whatever I want wherever I want.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?

I don’t know if you’d call it a quirk, but Jed Garland, the grandpa in my current series, believes he’s destined to be a matchmaker.

What’s your quirkiest quirk?

Hmm…I don’t think I’m very quirky. Let’s say, I’m addicted to exclamation points! lol

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written), which one would it be? Why?

This could be a long list. But I’ll choose The Secret of the Old Clock, number one in the Nancy Drew mystery series. I first read that book when I was about nine, and Nancy became a role model for me—and for many young girls—in many ways. She was a feisty, independent heroine. She drove a sporty little car. She had a boyfriend. Finally, she solved mysteries, and things just couldn’t get any better than that! In case you can’t tell, I so wanted to be her when I grew up.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

People who speed up on the highway, pass and pull in front of you, and then slow down.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?

Book, chocolate, and my husband.

What was the worst job you’ve ever held?

You know, I’ve thought and thought and can’t come up with one. Every job I’ve had taught me something and/or helped me grow. For about three weeks, I did hold a job selling magazines over the phone. Never made a single sale, but I enjoyed chatting with people!

Ocean or mountains?

Ocean. 

City girl or country girl?

Meeting in the middle—small-town girl!

What’s on the horizon for you?

Thanks for asking. The next books in my Snowflake Valley series from Entangled Bliss will be out this fall and early next year. I love the “bad-luck Barnett sisters” who are the heroines of this series and can’t wait to share their stories with my readers! I’m also working on a handful of book ideas, all short contemporary romance and all the same home-and-family type of story I love to write.

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?

I sincerely hope my books bring my readers as much pleasure as I get from writing them! Also, all my books, even those in a series, are stand-alones, meaning the hero and heroine of each book reach their happy-ever-after by the end of their story. Oh…and FYI, my last name is pronounced Dale. :)

The Rancher’s Baby Proposal (The Hitching Post Hotel #6)

Her Secret Cowboy Crush

Ally Martinez has always been known as a fun and flirty kind of gal. But deep down she’s never forgotten the cowboy who left town. When her crush Reagan Chase comes home after a five-year absence, Ally knows this is her big chance. The guy I’ve always wanted. Only Reagan has something different in mind…

Still reeling from his last relationship, Reagan needs a babysitter for his month-old son. With Ally’s help, he can get his family’s ranch ready for sale and get out of Cowboy Creek. The problem? Ally is one seriously cute distraction. But Reagan will do whatever it takes to keep his heart safe. Even if it means losing the only place—and the only woman—he can call home.

Buy Links

paperback

ebook