L.T. Suzuki, click
here to update your pages on AuthorsDen.
Blogs by L.T. Suzuki
Dionne Lister Interview 2/9/2013 9:32:49 PM
Best-selling fantasy author Dionne Lister discusses The Circle of Talia series and the writing life! LTS: Today, it is my privilege to introduce you to best-selling epic YA fantasy author Dionne Lister, creator of the Circle of Talia series. I’d like to begin by having you share a little information about yourself with our readers, Dionne. What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
DL: Hi Lorna. I’m so excited to be here. When I’m not writing I’m looking after my two sons, playing sport, reading or studying. I used to paint and draw, but lately I’ve had no time (what a surprise).
LTS: I know you are attending Southern Cross University, working toward an Associate Degree of Creative Writing. With this in mind, am I wrong to think that writing stories has always been a part of your life and becoming a published author, a lifelong dream?
DL: How did you know? ;-) I’ve always dreamed of being a (best-selling) author. I can remember having a love of writing and reading from a young age. When I was eight, one of my teachers wrote that “Dionne is a daydreamer” on my report card. It was meant to be negative but now I know it was actually a positive.
I had a few false starts on writing a novel over the years but then I started writing Shadows of the Realm and something clicked, and I made it past chapter four. I decided to do university when I worked out I needed to improve, and I’m so glad I did.
LTS: Your debut novel, Shadows of the Realm, Book 1 of the Circle of Talia has received many wonderful reviews. What was the inspiration behind this story and can you tell us a little bit about your protagonists, Bronwyn and Blayke?
DL: I wanted to write a fantasy novel and I’ve always loved dragons. I’m always a bit disappointed when I pick up an epic fantasy and there are no dragons. That was my only inspiration. The story wrote itself after that.
Bronwyn and Blayke don’t know each other at the beginning of the book but they are each being mentored by realmists who are members of The Circle. Both are in their late teens and have lived fairly sheltered lives being apprentic realmists with their mentors (they are learning to draw and use power from the Second Realm). When the evil gormons threaten to invade their world from the Third Realm, they must leave their homes and undertake a dangerous journey to Vellonia, city of the dragons. They are both forced to grow up quickly.
LTS: Without giving away too much, can you reveal what’s in store for the readers when they crack open Shadows of the Realm, Book 1 of the Circle of Talia?
DL: It’s an epic fantasy with dragons and magic but I’ve been told it’s original. It’s fast paced but I use descriptive language, which I think is important for believable world building. The realmists bond with ‘creaturas’ which are animal companions, so you’ll find my characters include a giant panther, rat, owl and fox. There are moments of horror so if you’re squeamish skim over those parts.
LTS: The road to publication is difficult at the best of times. What made you decide to take the indie route and self-publish your novel?
DL: Like most authors, I’ve suffered many rejections. I believed in my book and just wanted people to read it. I didn’t want to let someone else dictate whether or not I would achieve my lifelong dream, so I worked hard then hired an editor and a professional cover artist. I’m so happy I did. I figured if I loved my book, somone else would.
LTS: What is the best and worst part about being an indie author?
DL: There are so many best parts ☺. I love the awesome community of authors I’m now a member of, people who have helped make my dream a reality with their constant support. I love the control I have over cover art and being able to tell the story I want to tell. The biggest negative is the time I have to spent promoting when I would rather be writing (although I am social by nature). And ss an indie author it is almost impossible to get large distribution in book stores too, which is frustrating.
LTS: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned on the road to publication?
DL: Don’t give up. Be professional and persistent.
LTS: Great, straight forward advice! I like that! Now, on the subject of writing styles, are you a plotter or pantser? The readers would like to know if you tend to plot out your story line in great detail or if your writing is more organic with the characters and events unfolding as you write.
DL: I’m a pantser ☺. I sit down and let the story go. It’s hard at times because I always get upset when I learn someone is going to die (the things we go through). I’ve had to do a little plotting for my sequel because you have to be consistent with what you’ve said in the first book and also not forget any characters. I wrote a scene the other day where a few of my characters were meeting up again after awhile apart and when I finished I realised I left out Phantom, the owl. Oops.
LTS: Some authors meditate, others need to fuel up on coffee or listen to music. Do you have any rituals, ones that can be shared with the readers, that you must do before you hunker down for a writing session?
DL: In the morning I need two coffees before I’m ready to write and I always listen to music (although I can write without it). I find it puts my mind in another world.
LTS: At one time or another, most writers hit the wall and their work stalls because of the dreaded writer’s block. What do you do to get around or over this mental wall to resume writing?
DL: The only time I can’t write is when I’m really tired because I can’t be bothered to think, but if I really want to write I just start by telling myself if I just get the first sentence down I’ll be fine, and I’m always right (thank goodness).
LTS: Who is your favourite author and how has he/she inspired you to write or influenced your writing style or choice of genre?
DL: I love David Eddings and I used to read a lot of Stephen King. David Eddings wrote with humour and characters you really cared about and Stephen King gave me the gift of horror and intesity. More recently a genre outside mine—literary—has been inspiring me in terms of improving the structure and beauty of my writing. Michael Cunningham, who wrote The Hours, is currently a writer who inspires me. I will always be trying to improve.
LTS: What do you foresee in your future over the next five years and do you hope to branch out from YA fantasy into other genres? Can your fans expect a sequel to Shadows of the Realm in the near future?
DL: I’m halfway through the first draft of the sequel to Shadows of the Realm and I’m planning (somewhat optimistically) for an end of March 2013 release date. I foresee the third book in the series by the end of the year and I’ve started a crime/thriller, so yes, I plan to diversify. I currently have a book of suspenseful, intense short stories out that delve into the darker side of human nature.
I’d like to say thank you so much Lorna, I’ve had so much fun answering the questions. And congratulations on the fantastic success of your series. I can’t wait until the movie comes out and I can take my friends and say, “I know the author who wrote this!”
LTS: It was my pleasure hosting you here, Dionne! Thank you for taking time from your busy life to share in your stories and your writing experience. Catch you on Twitter!
For more information about Dionne and her writings, check out:
Website: http://dionnelisterwriter.wordpress.com Follow Dionne on Twitter: .DionneLister
Website: https://twitter.com/DionneLister
Where to buy the book: Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Realm-Circle-Talia-ebook/dp/B007X6Y02I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335428585&sr=8-1 Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/155266
It’s also at Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Sony books, Kobo and Diesel Books.
