Hi, readers! I am pleased to announce a very special post today on ILRB. We’re doing something a little different. This is our fourteenth official author interview on this romance blog! I know in the past, we did character interviews then switched over to the author’s take on it, but this approach is a bit unusual.
We have a real treat for you, readers. Today we get to speak one-on-one with a talented author. Please join me in welcoming Dana Littlejohn to ILRB! 🙂
Marie Lavender: Hello, Dana. Please have a seat.
Author Dana Littlejohn: Hi, Marie!
Marie: Hey, such a pleasure to have you here!
I’m going to throw in some standard questions first.
Obviously, we know your occupation as an author, but some writers have other jobs as well. Do you have another occupation? Do you believe you’re any good at it? Do you like what you do?
I know I’m overloading you with questions, but we’re really interested in finding out more about you…
Dana: I am a nurse by day and author by night. I absolutely love my day job and night job. I am proficient and learn daily at both. I have no desire to leave either.
Marie: Great! 😀
So, tell us…what is your family like?
Dana: My family is an eclectic bunch. They love music, travel, food and life, but there are no two alike in their love for either.
Marie: I see.
Let’s try something else, okay?
If it doesn’t bother you at all, can you let us know what your childhood home looked like?
Dana: My mother was more of the physical disciplinarian while my father was the talker punisher. Together they made a good team and raised four very different kids.
Marie: All right.
Do you have any hobbies, Dana? What do you enjoy doing?
Dana: I love to crochet. I make everything from baby blankets, shawls for church and pot holders to jewelry, clothes and shoes.
Marie: Nice!
And what is your greatest dream?
Dana: To actually retire from working a nine to five and make a living writing.
Marie: Sounds like a plan! 😉
Let’s try another question.
What kind of person do you wish you could be? What is stopping you?
Dana: I am already the person I want to be. If any changes need to be made, God will make them.
Marie: Okay.
Not to pry too much, but who was your first love?
Dana: My first love was a boy named Lahtie. He was super smart and beautiful on the inside and out. He died in an accident at a young age, but I am grateful that he left me with a son who has those very same qualities.
Marie: So sorry to hear about that. 😡
And I’m glad you have your son!
Let’s switch to a different question…
What’s the most terrible thing that ever happened to you?
Dana: When I had to identify his body.
Marie: Oh, no! How heartbreaking! Ouch… 😕
Let’s move on to another topic, shall we?
[Dana nods.]
What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream, why not?
Dana: I was the kid that said I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. When I sold my first novel it was a feeling that cannot be described. I continue to write just to feel it again.
Marie: I know exactly what you mean! 😛
So, who is your role model, Dana?
Dana: I don’t have an actual role model. I take strength from those who acknowledge the struggle and push onward to achieve their goals.
Marie: Sounds about right!
Is there someone you pretend to like but really dislike?
Dana: Nope. If I don’t like it, I just don’t like it.
Marie: Gotcha!
And what is your deepest desire?
Dana: To be able to stop working and write for a living.
Marie: I know, right? 😉
Let’s try a different question.
What is your greatest fear?
Dana: There are things I don’t want to encounter, but I don’t really fear anything. I’m a child of God. He’s got my back so there’s no need to fear anything.
Marie: Okay.
Let’s do something else.
If you were trapped on a deserted island, what five essentials would you need with you? They don’t have to be practical.
Dana: I need my laptop, phone and an endless supply of sunflower seeds, green tea and yarn.
Marie: (Laughs.) Cool!
Readers, let’s shift somewhat and get the author’s perspective on two of her characters. 🙂
We’ve heard rumors about the heroines of your story, Opal and Pearl Jefferson. Quite interesting characters. Can you tell us a little about them?
Dana: Opal and Pearl Jefferson are twins.
Marie: Intriguing…
And what are their greatest strengths?
Dana: The twins are very family oriented and self-sufficient.
Marie: Great! 😀
Any weaknesses?
Dana: Opal is untrusting of men, and Pearl is softhearted and over trusting.
Marie: I see…
Let’s try something fun, shall we?
What are some of their favorite foods?
Dana: Opal is a straight up Cokeaholic. Pearl loves seafood.
Marie: Okay.
How about another question?
What’s a positive quality that your characters are unaware that they have?
Dana: Opal and Pearl can easily spot issues that the other is having and always help each other out of a bind.
Marie: Handy!
Will readers like or dislike these characters, and why?
Dana: I think the readers will love them. They will see a bit of themselves in these sisters.
Marie: Awesome!
Now that we have a real taste of the Jefferson twins, we have a few questions for you as well as the author, about the writing process of your book.
What first gave you the idea for Tri-Romance?
Dana: I really have no idea. I dreamt about the sisters’ adventures. When I realized they were no one I actually knew, I started to write it down and expand on it.
Marie: Nice! (Chuckles.) It’s fascinating how the muse works, huh? 😀
Let’s try something else.
What is your writing style like, Dana? Are you a pantster or a plotter?
Dana: I am kind of a combination. I know the beginning, the middle and the end of the story when I start, so I do an outline. However, I never know where it will go after that. The characters drove the story from point A to B to C.
Marie: Makes sense to me! 😉
So, I’m throwing this one in for our aspiring writers. Did you come across any specific challenges in writing Tri-Romance or publishing it? What would you do differently the next time?
Dana: Getting Tri-Romance from my head to the computer was the easy part. Getting it ready for publication was a nightmare. Self edits, professional edits, getting it formatted, cover design, all were challenging, but worth the stress and the money because I am happy with the finished product. I can only hope others will enjoy my work, but even if no one ever buys a copy, I am proud of it and myself.
Marie: Well, you should be! Writing a book is hard work.
It was a such a pleasure having you here on the I Love Romance Blog! And how apropos is that, considering what a great story Tri-Romance appears to be… ♥
Here is the blurb:
Twin sisters, Opal and Pearl Jefferson, and their best friend Debra Flores have lived blissfully by their “no strings attached” rule while enjoying the comforts of a good life. All was well in their world until Frank, Jake, Doug and Rakim entered into it. When one of the girls abandons their well practiced rule and falls in love, does the decision throw a monkey wrench into the lives of everyone else around her? Or does it open up the possibility for love to capture them all?
Here’s a peek at the story…
Sounds intriguing! Can’t wait to find out what happens next. 😀
Purchase Links:
Universal Amazon link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/153012963X
Add it to Goodreads or BookBub: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21763731-tri-romance
https://www.bookbub.com/books/tri-romance-by-dana-littlejohn
We’ll be sure to get a copy of this steamy multicultural romance! ♥♥♥
About Dana Littlejohn
I am Dana Littlejohn, author of sensual romance. As a little girl I wrote hickory dickory dock type poetry. By the time a got to middle school I was creating stories and passing them to my friends in weekly installments. Life made me a wife and mother and changed my waiting to bedtime stories for my children. In 2003 I picked up my pen again and have no intention of putting it down.
You will find that I write contemporary romances with just a hint of another genre to take it away from the ordinary. My stories will touch your heart and may make your body feel like it’s being touched as well.
Books:
And, if you want to know how to connect with the fascinating Dana Littlejohn, here are some author links…
Website/Blog: www.danalittlejohn.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/liljohndana
Twitter: www.twitter.com/liljohndana
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Dana-Littlejohn/e/B00MBJHK3I/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1227299.Dana_Littlejohn
Once again, I want to thank Dana Littlejohn, the brilliant author of this erotic multicultural romance, for stopping by! It was a pleasure to have you here! Readers, check out her work! ♥
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