This interview's turn is D.D Chant, author of dystopian novels.
How do you strike the
balance between writing something you want to write and writing something that
people want to read, in terms of the compromises you make, if any?
I try to write books that I would like to read myself. I think
that people can tell if you are excited about what you’re writing or if you are
trying to write what you think they
are going to enjoy….wow, that turned in to a complicated explanation!!!
I was told to write what I knew and though I’ve never been in an
apocalypse the feeling of been lost, sad and out of your depth is something
that we all can identify with….isn’t it??? Oh well maybe it’s just me!!!
What excites, attracts or appeals to you about the
genre(s) you write in.
Hmmm……I write in Dystopian, Historical and Futuristic genres. I
like them for the same reasons: because it’s a completely different world that
you can escape in to.
Mostly I love never knowing where my stories are going to take me, often I find that my characters take over and my original plot morphs in to something different.
Mostly I love never knowing where my stories are going to take me, often I find that my characters take over and my original plot morphs in to something different.
Do you have a box, drawer, folder etc where you
keep thoughts and ideas for future stories? Such as names you have come across,
bits of dialogue, ideas, characters - even if you have no idea when you might
use them?
I do!!! I have bits stashed EVERYWHERE!!! Names, snatches of
dialogue, plots, characters and even made up historys for characters. Often
I’ll be banging around the house trying to find that really important scene/bit
of information that I put in a really safe place that someone has moved! Only
no one has ever moved it and that safe place was filed away carefully on the
floor!!!
Sometimes I keep ideas safe in my mind castle ;-P
How much of you is in your characters? Which of
your characters is the you that you’d most like to be? Or be with ?
I have ALL of the good qualities that my heroines have and none of
their faults… okay, okay maybe not!!! I’m not sure about this one: my Aunt said she could see a lot of me in Deeta and
my Sister said I was more like Jan. As Jan and Deeta have COMPLETELY different
personalities I think they must be telling me that I have a split
personality!!! I’d like to hope I had Adele’s patience and understanding but I
guess you’ll have to ask my family and friends (you’ll probably need to do it
when I’m out of earshot though!).
As to which one I’d most like to be with….oh sorry, you didn’t
mean like that!
Do you become so wrapped up in your writing that
your spouse wonders if they're married to you or one of your characters?
I’m not married so I don’t have that problem ;-P
However my Sister Amy can get a bit miffed sometimes because she
says I spend more time with my characters than with her!!! My Mum’s the same, I
tend to take a pad and pen with me where ever I go and will suddenly start
scribbling away without warning. It drives Mum and Amy nutty!!! ;-P
What type of book do you like reading? Is it the
same genre as you write?
I like pretty much anything with adventure and romance! Not keen
on horror (I’m a fraidy cat!) or vampire/werewolves (Ditto) but apart from that
I’m good to go!
What lengths do you go to to convince us readers
that your book has the X factor?
I beg!
On my knees.
I also find bribing them with brownies is effective, fluffy
pillows too have their place.
A casual mention that I’m dying of an incurable disease also seems
to work wonders *cough* *cough*
Sometimes I tell them my boyfriend’s a hit man and I know where
they live…..but I try to stay away from anything hardcore: forcing people to
read your book is so vulgar. ;-P
How do you feel when a reader points out the
spelling mistake(s) you have made?
Thankful! I try to offer an error free story but mistakes always
creep in, it is very helpful if a reader points any mistakes they have noticed
out so that I can change them. I also appreciate the time and effort that they
have put in and their interest in making my story better.
What is on your near horizon?
I'm exhibiting at the Devon Show this year!!! I’m really excited about
having a book stand and a little nervous too!!! If you’re going to the Devon
Show please come and have a look, I’ll be on shopping bays Ave B stand number
151 under the huge banner that reads ‘Buy My Book’!!!
I’m also editing my fourth book ‘Fracture’ which I’m hoping to
release early next year and I’ve just started work on ‘Broken City: Truce’ the
sequel to Broken City.
Where can we find you for more information?
My Goodreads Author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5200308.D_D_Chant
My blog: http://www.ddchant.blogspot.co.uk/
My Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002546605234
My web page: http://www.buymybook.biz/
My Smashwords page: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/DDChant
My wattpad page: http://www.wattpad.com/user/DDChant
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