INTERVIEW WITH SUSPENSE AND PARANORMAL AUTHOR ALICIA DEAN

When you have Misophonia

Today we sit down for a chat with suspense and paranormal author Alicia Dean. She wrote her first romance at age ten (featuring a hero who looked just like Elvis Presley), and she still has the tattered, pencil-written copy. Learn more about her and her books at her website.  

When did you realize you wanted to write novels? 

When I was a child. I wrote my first romance at age 10.

 

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

My first novel was published in 2007, so 36 years. 😊

 

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

Hybrid

 

Where do you write? 

Usually in my living room recliner, but I love to get away and write in other locations when I can, preferably a secluded cabin in the woods…as long as there are no serial killers in the vicinity.

 

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

I like either silence, or rain sounds. Not music.

 

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

Only bits and pieces. I try not to put too much of myself into characters, but I know that most authors, whether they intend to or not, usually do. The plots are not drawn from real life at all.

 

Describe your process for naming your character? 

Most of the time, I look up baby names and see which names seem to fit my character. Sometimes, I like to give my characters a name that has meaning, even if it’s just meaningful to me. 

 

Real settings or fictional towns? 

Both. I prefer fictional since I can mold it to fit my needs and I don’t have to worry about accuracy. 

 

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

Well, this isn’t really a quirk, but the protagonist in my current work in progress has a condition called ‘Misophonia’ which translates to ‘hatred of sound’ wherein certain sounds, mostly eating sounds like crunching and smacking, trigger an uncontrollable reaction—part of which is rage and disgust and the desire to flee. 

 

What’s your quirkiest quirk? 

I actually have Misophonia. I’ve suffered from it all my life and didn’t know it was an actual condition with a name until a few years back. I always thought I was just picky and neurotic.

 

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

Probably Gone with the Wind. It’s my favorite novel which, of course, was made into a fabulous movie and both have been loved by generations. The characters and the plot were gripping.

 

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours? 

I would have seriously pursued writing much sooner and stuck with it.

 

What’s your biggest pet peeve? 

See above. 😊 Crunching, smacking, and other sounds like people brushing their teeth, jiggling keys, pen clicking, rocking in a chair (yes, it’s weird, but those things drive me nuts…)

 

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

Books, coffee, Elvis music. (Would I have power? :D)

 

What was the worst job you’ve ever held? 

I was once a Telemarketer. I hated it…it didn’t last long at all. Not only do I hate talking on the phone, period, I also hated encroaching on people’s time and having to be so aggressive in trying to get them to buy the product. I also had a supervisor breathing down my neck and admonishing me for not being forceful enough. Miserable!

 

What’s the best book you’ve ever read? 

Gone with the Wind. Although, since it’s also the book I mentioned that I wish I’d written, I’ll add a few other standouts, like the Bosch series by Michael Connelly and Mystic River by Dennis Lehane.

 

Ocean or mountains? 

Mountains. (Although, if it’s an ocean where it’s cold, I’d pick ocean 😊)

 

City girl/guy or country girl/guy? 

City, all the way!

 

What’s on the horizon for you? 

I’m working on a police procedural that I hope to finish soon. And I have three series for which I need to write sequels. I’m also working on a Friday the 13^th story to be released on Friday, May 13, which is part of a project I’m doing with 12 other authors…get it, 13 total? 😊

 

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

Liberty Awakened is one of many of my books I’m re-releasing through The Wild Rose Press. They are getting all new covers, and I absolutely love the new looks. I’m also an editor at Wild Rose, and I love being published with them.

 

Thank you so much for having me as your guest!

 

Liberty Awakened

Isle of Fangs Series, Book 1

Liberty Delacort doesn't believe in Vampires. Then she meets the father she never knew, just before his death, and learns she's the last of the Van Helsing bloodline.

Eli, a 300 year old Vampire, doesn't believe Liberty has what it takes to stand between the humans and the Evil Ones on Sang Croc Island, and orders her back to the mainland.

Ryan, a friend of Liberty's late-father, disagrees and insists that Eli provide the promised training.

Now the Full Moon has come and Liberty must stand in the gap. But unbeknownst to her--she's fallen for the wrong vampire.

 

Buy Link