My
guest today is Dana Pratola. In her own words, Dana is “a married mother of
three from New Jersey
Anne
- Well said, Dana! Welcome to Piedmont Island Lake Superior today, but the sun is shining and it’s a super day
to talk writing. Let’s start with something personal. Do you have a fear,
phobia, or habit you’d rather no one knew about?
Dana
- Is there such a thing as an “unnatural” fear of sharks? Because I think I
have that. Although I believe a fear of sharks is perfectly natural.
Anne
– Of course, it is. Being cautious is one thing. That I get. I worry about people who willingly climb into a cage
in shark infested waters, and pay for the experience! Now that's a whole other kettle
of fish! Ugh. Okay, enough about sharks. Tell us about your book.
Dana
– It’s called The Covering. Gunnar
doesn’t think he’s worth saving – if there is such a thing. He doesn’t want
anything from a God who failed him so bad in the past. Tessa is determined to
keep him alive. But how much can she do when he refuses to be helped?
Anne
- Of the characters you’ve created, does one hold a special place in your
heart? Why?
Dana
- So far I’d have to say Gunnar. I’ve gotten HUGE response about him. Readers
are drawn to his intensity, his tough exterior and his good heart. Not to
mention, he’s HOT .
:) But it’s not just the ladies that love him, men too! I think they
like to identify with the wounded hero who fights his demons – literally – and
comes out on top. Also, because Gunnar is such a “man,” they don’t feel like
they’re reading a gushy romance.
Anne
– That’s always the best kind of hero. One men can identify with, and one woman
love to love! What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself
from writing?
Dana
- That I can pretend to be patient. My daughter said I should be a Kindergarten
teacher because I have so much patience. I told her it’s all a ruse and that
inside I’m usually pacing or planning ways to clean up a crime scene.
Anne
– LOL. I can relate. Because I write mysteries, I’m always hunting for another
place to bury the bodies! Do you have any words of advice for struggling,
unpublished writers?
Dana
- I can’t over-emphasize the importance of prayer. If God put the desire in you
to begin with, it won’t go away, no matter the distraction, frustration or
insecurity, and He can help steer you in the right direction. Once He does,
don’t quit. EVER.
Anne
- Have you experienced writer's block? If so, how did you work through it?
Dana
- I overcome most writer’s block by watching TV or taking a nap, LOL. But if
those don’t work I might try writing a scene using one or more of my characters
in a scene they wouldn’t normally be in. Gunnar, for instance, might play
tennis with Johnny Mac. What would they talk about? It’s not a scene I intend
to use, but maybe I can pull something from it.
Anne
- Would you share an excerpt from The Covering with us?
Dana
– I thought you’d never ask!
“What are you doing with
Tessa?” Dominic demanded.
“We were just talking.”
“About what?”
“None of your business.”
“She’s my sister.”
Gunnar moved a bit further
out of reach. “Yeah, and you don’t want her with me, I get it. But I didn’t ask
for your approval.”
“You better,” Dominic
retorted.
“Tessa isn’t a girl
anymore, bro. She’s a woman. Not the kind of woman you’d picture me with, I’ll
give you that…” Gunnar looked out the window to where Tessa was wiggling a huge
box from the front seat of her car. “But I like her.”
Dominic stood, flexing the
hand he’d just used to punch Gunnar. He relaxed his posture slightly. “You like
a lot of women.”
Gunnar lowered his head.
Yes, another reminder that his past would always haunt him. But he couldn’t
change his feelings for Tessa, and if it meant being selfish to grab hold of
her, so be it. Coming to that conclusion was unexpected, and to be pondered at
a later time.
“Have you seen me with, or
heard me mention other women since I met your sister?” He could almost see
Dominic replaying the days in his mind before his lips bent.
“And the bike show?” Dom
asked. “There’s no way you looked, but didn’t touch.”
Anne
- Where can readers find you online?
Anne
– Thank you, Dana. It’s always a pleasure to chat with a fellow author, and get
your take on both the writing process and the business of being a writer. I
wish you every success with The Covering.
A final note to readers: your comments are always
welcome and appreciated. Also, to ensure you receive future Piedmont Island
Trilogy posts, interview, updates or giveaways, why not become a follower on
either GFC (Google Friend Connection) or NetworkedBlogs? It’s as easy as a
click of the mouse. Thank you, and as always, happy reading!
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