Friday, November 12, 2010

MEET DIANE CRAVER


DIANE CRAVER

Have you ever experienced a connection with a complete stranger after only brief introductions? I met Diane Craver through a mutual publisher and on a couple of Yahoo Groups for romance authors. She stood out among the other wonderful authors as a person with deep convictions and beliefs. I liked her pleasant, caring comments, and the fact that she always paid more attention to others rather drawing it to herself.

She’s an Ohio farm girl and still lives in the country. Don’t let that fool you—she is well-educated. She met the love of her life, another teacher, while teaching in an orphanage and directing their plays.

Diane writes fun and inspiring stories filled with memorable characters.


MARRYING MALLORY
I read one of those novels, titled Marrying Mallory. In it, things have always gone wrong for Mallory, including a divorce from the father of her young son. Even though she has faith in God, she suffers guilt because she cannot forgive her philandering husband. So she decides to do something for herself—a cosmetic surgical procedure she’s always wanted—and accepts the fact that some things cannot be changed. After all…life must go on.

Today, I am pleased to have Diane as my guest. Diane, you have a special Christmas release, titled A Christmas Gift. Since the season is right around the corner, I’m certain readers will want to know about it, too. What is the story about?

A CHRISTMAS GIFT
“Some of A Christmas Gift is based on my childhood experiences, so that lends an authentic feel to the whole story. Love seeps through the characters, even though the story line and characters are fictional. Debby Reeves is an adult in the prologue and epilogue of the book. The rest of the book is told through the viewpoint of Debby as a bright seven-year-old. Her father, Justin Reeves, is a man who has it all: a good job, a loving wife and children who are the center of his universe. Justin also has a secret he’d hidden from everyone his entire life. One night Debby stumbles upon his secret and is shocked by what she finds. She confronts her father with the awful truth. What happens next is heartwarming and proves that obstacles can be overcome at any age.”


The novel sounds like a perfect Christmas story. When will this book be available?

“A Christmas Gift will available on November 15th – in both trade paperback and eBook formats.”

You’re one of the busiest people I know, pulled in many directions. How and when do you find time to write?

“It’s hard. I thought it would be easier now that we only have two daughters at home but it isn’t. I actually wrote longer books when more children were at home. LOL My three books published by Samhain are much longer at approximately 85,000 words. My Desert Breeze books are only around 50,000 words. I wanted to keep A Christmas Gift short so it’s 25,000 words. It’s a perfect length to read during the busy holiday season! I write in spurts and set writing goals. I do manage to scrawl paragraphs on pieces of paper if busy with family and household chores, so later I can transfer what I’ve written to my laptop.”

Your life sounds full and rewarding! What is the most surprising thing about you that most people don’t know?

“I think they’d be surprised how easygoing I am when it comes to my hubby. When we were making our wedding plans, he said that I wouldn’t get him to wear a tux. I didn’t care if he wore a tux but wanted him to wear a nice suit. Then he decided to buy a leisure suit to wear because it wouldn’t require a tie. Wearing a tie would be a reminder that he was losing his freedom as a single guy and be a symbolic thing with feeling tied down. His words! He’s always been a nonconformist and unique in his thinking, and I actually went along with it even though I thought he should wear a suit and tie. We had a small church wedding with about 80 guests in 1975. He and the best man wore their stupid leisure suits that were only in style for a short time. After 35 years of marriage and six children, he never mentions feeling tied down. LOL”

You sound very proud of his nonconformist attitude! When you have complete freedom and time alone, what is one special thing you enjoy?

“If it’s in the summer, I like to escape to our pool and swim by myself. It’s quiet and peaceful. During other seasons, I enjoy reading.”

The pool sounds lovely—a perfect respite. Since you’re an accomplished author, what advice would you give to aspiring writers?

“It’s been a long road to publication for my books. Getting published hasn’t been easy. I made it with self-discipline, faith in my writing, family support, and determination. If you are an aspiring writer wanting to be published, hang in there. You have to continue to write and to believe in yourself. Writing is not a career for the weak. When it comes to rejections, you have to be persistent and develop a thick skin. Remember this is a subjective business so don’t get discouraged.”

Perfect advice. I don’t think anyone could have said it better. Do you have anything else you’d like to tell us?

“I have a Christmas contest on my blog. If you leave a comment on this post, your name is entered for my two drawings. The first drawing is Nov. 14th. The second one will be Dec. 8th. For each drawing, I’ll give away a signed copy of one of my Christmas releases to the winner, a $10 GC from one of my publishers, and a beautiful angel ornament. More details are on my blog. http://www.dianecraver.com/blog
Buy books for your Christmas gifts! Both my Christmas releases will be in paperback. Or if you prefer eBooks for your own reading enjoyment, all my books are in electronic formats.”
BUY LINK for Marrying Mallory:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-51/Marrying-Mallory/Detail.bok

BUY LINK for A Christmas Gift:
http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/newreleases.html

Diane’s Website:
http://www.dianecraver.com/

“Thank you, Celia, for having me on your fantastic blog!”

And thank you, Diane. I know readers will love your books.

Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas
http://www.celiayeary.blogspot.com/
http://www.celiayeary.com/
New Releases
Texas Promise-eBook-Desert Breeze Publishing
Making the Turn-print & eBook-Wings ePress

30 comments:

  1. Good Morning, Celia!

    Thank you so much for such a sweet introduction. I'm thrilled to be here.

    By the way, I saw A Christmas Gift available in paperback on Amazon yesterday for $7.95.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi, Diane and Celia! Diane, I admire you. You're always so warm and positive and you're a talented writer and a wonderful lady! Celia, this is a great blog. Thank you for hosting Diane and allowing us to learn a little more about her. Blessings to you both.
    Shawna

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Diane. We haven't met before but we share some on the same pubs...TWRP, Desert Breeze, and recently Whimsical. And we share a wonderful friend, Celia. It was so nice to learn more about you and your work. And I totally agree withyour advice to authors, too. Luncatic persistence is the most important trait an author can have. I wish you success with all your books. They sound like my kind of reading. Linda S.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Shawna,
    Celia does have a great blog - it's colorful, well-organized, and easy to read.

    So glad you stopped by, Shawna. Know you're busy promoting your wonderful new release, In All Things. And Celia, is busy promoting her new books. I hope we all have great sales!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Linda,
    Celia has a big heart - nice we share publishers and such a great friend! I definitely want to read your books, Linda. I've heard awesome compliments about your writing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Christmas themed books are both great to read during the holidays, but great to give as gifts, too. Yours sounds delightful.

    And for the present, Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a wonderful interview! Diane, it's so nice to get to know you better. Great story about your husband and the leisure suits. Wishing you many happy sales!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Diane,

    wow that's alot of words, lol. How do you count the words when you're writing?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love your hubby not being a non-conformist! LOL Thanks for sharing, Diane, and I wish you mega success on this book! :)

    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gladys: Happy Thanksgiving to you too! I hope readers buy Christmas books - that would be wonderful!

    Liana: Thanks for taking the time to visit - always nice to read your comments.

    Dina: Computers make it easy and give the word count. Or if you go by certain formatting guidelines, you can estimate how many words per page. It used to be pubs wanted Courier font and 250 words approximately per page.

    Miss Mae: Glad you enjoyed the story about my hubby. He makes me laugh on a regular basis - good for the heart. LOL Thanks - I'm anxious about the sales for my Christmas books.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just had to comment again, Diane, after that great compliment you gave me. Many, many thanks. And our "mutual good friend" who I think must have given me such an undeserved high compliment as an author has told me wonderful things about you. And leisure suits? Weren't they awful? My husband had two of them As I remember, they were limp as a rag and made of polyester. Uge. Happy Sunday, Linda S.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hey, that's supposed to be Ugh on the leisure suits. Or maybe yuk. Or even urp. Linda S.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Linda,
    Yes, his leisure suit was polyester and he even admitted years later, that he made a mistake wearing a leisure suit. But at the time, he definitely wanted to wear one. :) I wish I could scan our wedding pic to show everyone. Maybe I can later.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congratulations on your new book and good luck. Thanks for sharing so much about you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Celia and Diane, this was a fantastic interview. I am happy to learn more about you, Diane, you're just so wonderful. And Celia, your blog is lovely. I thank you for this nice post. Good luck with sales!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Danielle,
    Thank you so much! I'm glad you visited Celia's wonderful blog!

    Hi Gina,
    I feel blessed to be here and your blog tomorrow. Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Diane, I remember leisure suit's. I am a Sr Citizen and we did have some strange habits back in the old days. lol
    Love Christmas stories and would love to win your book The Christmas Gift. Enjoyed your interview and thanks for stopping by to chat.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Diane, I find the structure of your newest book interesting, with the adult character at the beginning and end. Have to love non-conformism, at least to an extent. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Miss Kallie,
    I'll be 61 this Sunday - asked at Kohl's when I get my Sr. discount. LOL Not until 62. Glad you stopped by.

    Hi LK,
    I'm glad you visited Celia's blog and commented. Hubby is a great guy in spite of his opinions. LOL

    Added both of your names to my drawing list.

    ReplyDelete
  20. At my wedding my father gave me away wearing a leisure suit. What was I thinking to allow this???

    marypres@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hey, all! I know I'm older than most, if not all of you. Is the leisure suit the blue thing John Travolta wore in the move about "Stayin' Alive?" What was that title? Celia, off in la-la land.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Marybelle,
    I can't believe it - someone else had to deal with a leisure suit on their wedding day. :) My dad grumbled about getting a new suit but he did and wore a tie so he did better than my husband.

    Hi Celia,
    I don't remember if John Travolta wore a leisure suit in that movie - could be.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hello Ladies - I am only a few days late stopping in. I have been away two weeks on the road with limited computer/internet time. Now back at the office and playing catch up of course.
    Thanks for the informative interview. A nice Christmas release - wonderful! Did you have fun or trouble writing from the view of the child? Best wishes for a successful release.
    (Yes Travolta wore and twirled the leisure suit in the movies Stayin Alive if I remember correctly. :))

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Martha,

    Thank you for visiting here. That sounds nice to get away for two weeks and glad you took time to comment on my book! I enjoyed writing from Debby's point of view as a child, and it wasn't difficult to switch from an adult's viewpoint to a child's. When I decided to write this story, I knew a child needed to be the one to help her father to accomplish what he wanted his whole life. Thanks for asking.

    Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Good Morning, Everyone!

    I've moved up the date of the second drawing to Nov. 30th. I decided it was better to get the book and ornament mailed out by Dec. 1st to the winner. Also the winner gets a $10 Gift Certificate either by email or snail mail - winner's choice.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Just wanted to stop by and say hi. Lovely interview Diane and Celia.

    Wow, a husband and six children and you had to time to write. I'm impressed. lol Good for you.

    For me, short stories are the way to go during the holiday season.

    I wish you well with your new release.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sorry I'm late, forgive! Diane was one of the first people I met at the Desert Breeze site when I was just getting my feet wet, but she was so nice and helpful. I've read Whitney in Charge, Marrying Malloy and I got the Christmas Collection she's in with VTP. I love Diane's writing, it's very crisp and follows from the heart. A Christmas Gift is on the TBR pile!

    Happy sales, Diane!
    Smiles
    Steph

    ReplyDelete
  28. Through Shawna I am finding all these amazing blogs today!! I am just so excited! Love how you just have a little bit of everything here. Something for everyone to enjoy! Love the interview. Always love when others share.
    Blessings to you all,
    Robin Prater

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wow, just now seeing these comments - checking to see if I have everyone's names entered for drawing.

    Thanks, Karen, for stopping by. Writing kept me sane while raising 6 children. LOL

    Hi Steph,
    Thanks for the free promo about my books - love your comments. You have always been so supportive. I've enjoyed your writing too! I'm looking forward to reading more of your books.

    Robin,
    I'm so glad you are blog hopping and enjoying it. I know it takes time so really appreciate all your lovely comments.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Amanda just drew Robin's name for the package drawing! Congrats Robin! I just emailed you.

    Thanks to everyone for commenting and I enjoyed Celia hosting me - she's a gracious Texan lady! So thanks, Celia.

    If anyone would like a postcard with A Christmas Gift on the front (size is 5 x 7), email me at DianeCraverATcinci.rr.com and I'll send you one. Be sure to include your snail mail address. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete