Make-Believe Mondays With Diane Craver

Today on Make-Believe Mondays our guest is Diane Craver.

Diane, first, tell us a little bit about the manuscript you’re working on now.

Diane: I’m writing an inspirational romance right now. I don’t have a title yet, so I just call it my Mallory book. The main character Mallory is divorced and wants to get her ex-husband back. She never wanted a divorce in the first place and was crushed when it happened. She does something drastic in hopes he will want to marry her again. She has two good friends and I have plans to write a book about each girlfriend.

A publisher just requested a full manuscript of my book, Whitney in Charge so I’m hoping to have good news about that soon. It’s about three sisters starting a business. Also two sisters will stop at nothing to get their widowed sister dating again.

Debra: Fingers crossed that you'll hear good news soon.

Is there a point when your characters begin to come alive and you can see and hear them?

Diane: My characters become real to me quickly. My books are character-driven so I’m constantly thinking about the characters as I start a new book and what big scenes I want them to have in the book. They inject dialogue and ideas to me while I’m in the shower, driving, cooking, or right before I fall asleep. I jot down their thoughts and dialogue on paper so I have my notes when I get time to type on my computer. I’ve learned I can’t rely on my memory to remember everything.

Also when I write it’s neat how the characters take over and the story line I have in mind changes. In my Whitney book, a new character popped in to become a main romantic interest for the one sister.

Debra: Don't you love it when you get great dialog or scenes while in the shower? I sometimes wish I had a bar of soap that could write on the shower wall so I wouldn't lose them before I get done washing my hair. :-)

For some writers, dreams play a role in creating fiction. Has this been true for you? Have you ever dreamed a scene or an image that later wound up in one of your books?

Diane: I’m usually thinking of my wip when I fall to sleep, so I do seem to dream about the characters and use these ideas in my writing. Bits of my dreams have wound up in my books. The funny thing is I’ve noticed I have some interesting dreams if I eat ice cream before I go to bed. Okay, I do have a weakness for Dutch chocolate almond or cherry cordial ice cream, but eating ice cream in the evening does inspire some great dreams for me. :)

Debra: Oh, I'll have to try that one night. I wonder what kind of dreams mint chocolate chip would lead to? :-)

As a child did any particular book or author pull you into their imaginary world?

Diane: As a child I read Nancy Drew books, so was thrilled when I saw my chick-lit mystery, A Fiery Secret, listed on the same page with Nancy Drew books on different online sites. I also remember loving Black Beauty and it definitely drew me into the whole world of cruel masters vs. the kind owners. The summer after 7th grade I was bored and read my sister’s copy of Gone With The Wind. It made a big impact on me and my desire to write.

Debra: Oh, that had to be extremely thrilling. Nancy Drew was one of my favorites too.

Is there anything else you would like to add about the role of imagination, and dreams in creating fiction? Any other message for our readers?

Diane: Please visit my website at www.dianecraver.com
and my blog at www.dianecraver.com/blog. I have excerpts of my three books published by Samhain. I also have book trailers, review quotes, recipes, website contests and monthly blog contests, and giveaways.

Debra, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to tell about my books and writing. It was fun.

Debra: Thank you, Diane, for joining us here on this Make-believe Monday to share a little bit of the magic of writing with our readers. It's been a pleasure.

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Debra's news/Debra is watching

I'm very excited this week because my book cover just went up on the Samhain website! Now I'll be able to post it on my website and blog, so stay tuned for it to appear here next week.