Dawn Marie Hamilton Interview & GIVEAWAY

 

Dawn happens to be one of my Favorite Authors. I just love her books. So when I get a chance to interview one of my fav's I get a little Fan Girly. I so wanted to answer some things in this interview. I so wish I lived on the East Coast :(

Appearances

2015

Oct. 3-4: Virginia is for Romance (Richmond, VA)

 Me: Tell us about yourself

Dawn: The official bio: Dawn Marie Hamilton dares you to dream. She is a 2013 RWA® Golden Heart® Finalist who pens Scottish-inspired fantasy and paranormal romance. Some of her tales are rife with mischief-making faeries, brownies, and other fae creatures. More tormented souls—shape shifters, vampires, and maybe a zombie or two—stalk across the pages of other stories. When not writing, she’s cooking, gardening, or paddling the local creeks of Southern Maryland with her husband.

Unofficially: My favorite color is peridot. I love coffee, chocolate, and red wine. I’m an introvert. I would much rather hide in my office writing romance, or bury my head in a romance novel, than attend a loud party.

Me: Tell us about your new book?

Dawn: I would love to announce that JUST WAIT FOR ME, the next book in the Highland Gardens series, is ready for release, but I’m afraid the book is delayed. I apologize to all the readers who are patiently waiting. I had to set it aside to work on a secret project with a couple of other authors. I hope we will announce the specifics of the new project soon. Keep an eye out on Facebook, twitter, my blog, etc.

JUST WAIT FOR ME is Stephen and Jillian’s story, which mostly takes place just after the Battle of Flodden. Romance and adventure and lots of fun and mayhem courtesy of the fae. There might even be a unicorn sighting.

Short synopsis:

The third match in the Fae Queen's challenge is in play. Will fae magic change Stephen and Jillian's destiny? In the chaotic aftermath of the Battle of Flodden, an injured Highland warrior makes a vow to a twenty-first century lass cast back in time by a meddling, matchmaking faerie. Stephen MacEwen promises to find a way to send her forward to her own time. But is that an oath he'll want to keep after finding love in Jillian O'Donnell's arms? And after saving Stephen's life, will Jillian want to go? No matter what the lover's decide, Stephen's wife—a woman who acquired the title through deceit—and an old enemy attempt to destroy the couple's chance for happiness. Only with the help of fae allies can Stephen and Jillian overcome and earn their reward—everlasting love.

Me: When you write, does your real life spill over into your book at any time?

Dawn: When writing, I combine the wanderings of my imagination with a myriad of life experiences. The result is pure fantasy and sometimes a wee bit wacky.

The Highland Gardens series is fantasy time travel, which I’ve never done. The current time part of the stories revolve around the fictitious town of Anderson Creek at the base of Grandfather Mountain and its somewhat unique residents. I’ve attended the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games numerous times and some of those memories have appeared in the stories. In JUST ONCE IN A VERRA BLUE MOON, the ghost piper scene where Finn returns from the past with Elspeth is based on one of my experiences at the games.

Me: Do you think about a book of yours, being made into a movie, or not when writing?

Dawn: I don’t think about my books becoming movies. I’m very happy to be writing and sharing my crazy, romantic tales with others through my books. I often find the movies made from books to be let downs and not as good as the books. As much as I like movies, I love books more.

Me: When naming your characters, do you give any thought to the actual meaning?

Dawn: Sometimes. In JUST WAIT FOR ME you will meet a young girl named Keita who lives with other children in the woods. The Celtic name Keita means of the woods or an enclosed place. With my current unnamed work in process, a Scottish Christmas tale, I named the hero Caelan or Cael derived from Nicholas. Good ole St. Nick. With most of the historical portions of my books, I try to use historically appropriate names for the particular family and/or region.

Me: What made you want to write and also what made you want to write the genre you are writing?

Dawn: During a corporate career I traveled a lot. Alone. As much as it sounds glamorous. It can get lonely. Eating alone, etc. I spent many evenings in book stores in whatever town. While on a trip to Brussels I saw a billboard with a hunky, kilted, bare chested Highlander advertising whisky. I’d been reading a lot of Scottish romances and time travel stories. The idea for the Highland Gardens series was born at that moment, although I didn’t start writing until many years later

Me: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Dawn: Terry Spear. I first met Terry through online writing groups and workshops and then later in person at Romance Writers of America’s National Conference. She is great. Very generous with her time, sharing her experience with new writers.

Me: Do you have to travel much concerning your books?

Dawn: I traveled often with my corporate career. All over the US, to parts of Europe, to Singapore, Malaysia, and Beijing. I draw upon those experiences, from online research, and from the multitude of books I buy or get from the library. I hope to take a trip soon to Scotland, Ireland, and France. I’m sure some of those new experiences will find their way into future books.

Me: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Dawn: Writing is work for me. Sometimes it’s the opening line I find the hardest. Sometimes a sex scene. I’m what they call a panster. I fly by the seat of my pants with minimal plotting. Sometimes I’m not sure what comes next until it pops into my head. Sometimes the words flow. Sometimes they trickle. All that stress and pain goes away once I write the words, ‘the end.’ Very rewarding.

Me: When you start writing your book, do your H/H ever talk to you?

Dawn: Oh, they talk to me all the time. At the start of a book, during the middle, and as we approach the end together. Sometimes they take me in totally unexpected directions, and I need to go back and revise previous chapters. Other times, they tell the story out of sequence, and I have to go back and fill in the missing parts. My characters direct the story. I’m just along for the ride.

Me: Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Dawn: Occasionally, yes. That’s when I need to do something non-writing to recharge like go camping or hiking or canoeing.

Me: Do you have any tips for our readers that might dream of writing?

Dawn: Join writing groups. Talk with other writers. Take workshops. Dare to dream!

Places to keep up to date and get her Books

Facebook 

Web-sight

Twitter

Amazon

Goodreads

One person will win one E-Book of Dawn Marie Hamilton's back list. All you have to do is tell me which book you want and why you like Paranormal Romances?

Contest open till Friday the  18th at 11:50 pm PST. I will announce Winner Saturday at 12 pm PST