TQ: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Dianne: I like to alter the media I use to write my manuscripts. I’ve found it a very effective way to remedy writer’s block. My first two manuscripts (a medieval romance with paranormal elements and a time-travel romance not yet scheduled for publication) I wrote on my computer. I wrote Darkness Dawns, the first book in my Immortal Guardians series, by hand in a spiral notebook. And Night Reigns, Book 2, I wrote on my Alphasmart NEO.
TQ: Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Dianne: I have so many favorites that encompass all genres of romance. Every writer who wrote a book I enjoyed inspired me simply by firing my imagination. Julie Garwood, Johanna Lindsey, Julia Quinn and Kinley MacGregor are amongst those authors who fueled my love of historicals. Karen Marie Moning enthralled me with her time-travels. Alexandra Ivy, Gena Showalter, Kresley Cole and Lindsay Sands are amongst the authors who made paranormal romance my favorite genre. Stephen King, however, influenced my writing the most. Every time I read one of his books, I learn more about writing. I firmly believe every aspiring writer should read his book On Writing. I found it extremely informative.
TQ: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Dianne: As OC as I am when it comes to editing, one would think I would be a dedicated plotter. But I’m a pantser. I tried plotting . . . once. I spent several days creating an extremely detailed outline, then began to write. A week later, the plot derailed and took a new turn -- a better turn -- and I ended up grumbling over all the time I had wasted on an outline I wouldn’t use instead of just writing. Now, when I sit down to begin a new manuscript, instead of an outline, I usually have the beginning, then ending and two or three scenes in between already written in my head. Everything else emerges as I write.
TQ: What inspired you to write Darkness Dawns?
Dianne: First and foremost my love of paranormal romances, particularly vampire romances. I enjoy reading them so much that I wanted to create my own paranormal world. But I wanted to approach the vampire romance genre from a new perspective. The idea for this new slant actually arose from two manuscripts I wrote before Darkness Dawns: a medieval romance with paranormal elements and a time travel romance. Both featured women with special gifts bestowed upon them at birth by advanced DNA (though they didn’t know the source themselves). These women and their male counterparts -- referred to as gifted ones -- provided me with a way to differentiate between immortals and vampires in Darkness Dawns. In my Immortal Guardians series, vampirism is caused by a rare symbiotic virus. Immortals are gifted ones who have been infected and, thus, transformed by the virus. The corrupt vampires they hunt are ordinary humans who have been infected with it.
TQ: What sort of research did you do to create the world of the Immortal Guardians?
Dianne: Darkness Dawns actually required a wide variety of research. Roland and Marcus were both born in the Middle Ages, so I needed to familiarize myself with everything from common names to daily life to the politics of that time period to provide both characters with pasts and mannerisms that I thought would linger from their mortal life. Fortunately I had already do so for the manuscripts I mentioned above. I also had to learn more about viruses, how they work and the way our bodies respond to them. Additional research included military hand signals, weapons, vehicles, geographical locations and more.
TQ: Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in Darkness Dawns?
Dianne: One is the scene that begins with Roland lounging on the steps leading up to the whirlpool tub while he watches Sarah blow-dry her hair and marvels over the warmth she has brought into his formerly barren existence. Another is the scene near the end in which a clearly agitated Roland is gearing up for battle and arms Sarah. And, finally, I love the climax of the novel. For obvious reasons I can’t tell you what happens, but Roland and Sarah both demonstrate such love, heroism and a willingness to sacrifice anything for each other that I just can’t resist it.
TQ: How many books are planned for the Immortal Guardians series? Will there be any short stories or novellas set in Immortal Guardians world?
Dianne: I haven’t decided on a finite number of books for the Immortal Guardians series, yet, but know that there will be at least four. As for short stories or novellas, I currently have one in mind that I would love to see appear in a paranormal romance anthology with some of my favorite authors. Others are sure to follow. :-)
TQ: What's next?
Dianne: Night Reigns, the second book in the Immortal Guardians series is scheduled for release in December. In it, Marcus’s increasingly erratic behavior draws unwanted concern from his immortal brethren. Cocky on the outside, grieving on the inside, he walks the edge and takes far too many risks. Hoping to divert him from this destructive path, Seth assigns Marcus a new Second (human assistant) . . . one who proves to be immensely distracting and turns his world upside down.
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery
Dianne: Thank you so much for having me! I’m happy to be here!
Dianne's Books
Darkness Dawns
Immortal Guardians 1
(February 1, 2011)
Once, Sarah Bingham’s biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she’s landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control…
In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible—when it means forfeiting the world she’s always known, and the life he would do anything to protect…
Night Reigns, Immortal Guardians 2, is presently slated for release in December 2011.
About Dianne
Dianne's Links
Website: http://www.DianneDuvall.com
Blog - The Immortal Realm: http://dianneduvall.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Dianne-Duvall/100000816605112
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DianneDuvall
Dianne is giving away a Kindle at her website! Go here for the rules.
The Giveaway
THE RULES
What: One commenter will win a Mass Market Paperback of Darkness Dawns.
How: Leave a comment telling The Qwillery if you had an Immortal Guardian, what time period would he or she come from? Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.
You may receive additional entries by:
1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.
2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.
3) Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.
There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.
Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.
Who & When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. Void where prohibited by law.
*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*
If I had an Immortan Guardian I'd like him (yes, please, I want a guy) to come from...say the Middle Age...a dark and intriguing period!
ReplyDeleteYes, I'd love to talk about it!
+1 comment
+1 follower
aliasgirl at libero dot it
There are female Immortal Guardians so I didn't want to limit it to just male Immortal Guardians. :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm... My first thought was Victorian or Regency era, because I love those in romance novels. But then I thought of the real attitudes of men towards women back then, and I don't know... However, if I could have an 'enlightened' male from that era, then Yes! :p
ReplyDelete+3: comment, follower, retweeted
Great review! I love your question to enter the giveaway too. Awesome idea. I aleady own & have read the book (& loved it), so I do not want to enter the contest. I do however think a hottie from when the Roman empire was in it's prime would be kinda cool.
ReplyDeleteI want the hunky highlander, not the rapey kind, but with a thick accent and strong arms to carry me around when needed over puddles and what not. Since they are well, a guardian and that road sludge is dangerous stuff.
ReplyDeleteOh I want to talk about this book. Can I say cover love? Can I wash shirts on those washboard abs?
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+1 GFC
terilhack at yahoo dot com
Mmmm I want a wild Rake who will dash me off to a party and rock the bed at night. So Regency era possible.
ReplyDelete+1 comment
kasuranna at yahoo dot com
Oh, Atlantis!!! I am a Follower of The Qwillery.
ReplyDeleterobin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
If I had an Immortan Guardian I would like him to come from ANCIENT GREECE because I am from Greece!
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 follower via GFC
Thank for the giveaway!!!
artgiote at gmail dot com
If I had an Immortal Guardian I would love for him to either come be a Highlander or Greek(God) or a Roman lol I can't make up my mind as you can tell.
ReplyDelete+1 Comment
+1 Follower- BLHmistress
+ 1 Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/BookLovershaway/status/35422396768849920
+1 I would choose the gladiator era, not exactly sure when that ran... but the image in my head is Russel Crowe from the Gladiator lol
ReplyDelete+1 follower
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
Reading mind: I'm partial to medieval knights, too. I must have succeeded in imbuing Roland (900+ years old) and Marcus (800+ years old) with some of their speech and mannerisms because my editor once told me she thinks Darkness Dawns will appeal to lovers of historical romance, too. :-) I hope so!
ReplyDeleterissatoo: In my series there are three immortals -- French siblings --from the Regency era: Richart, Etienne and Lisette. And, thanks to Lisette's influence, both men adore strong women. :-)
theJeepDiva: First, I'm so glad you liked the book! Second, an Immortal Guardian from that era has been prowling my imagination. So don't be surprised if he makes an appearance in future books. :-)
Teril: LOL! Gotta love those hunky highlanders. And I thought the cover artist did a great job depicting Roland's abs. :-D
Kaya H: Who can resist a Regency rake? There are two French Immortal Guardians from that era in Darkness Dawns.
ReplyDeleteRobin K: An Atlantean Immortal Guardian . . . old AND mysterious. I like it. :-)
Diana: Good choice! And great reason! :-)
BLHmistress: Great to see you here! Would you want that Highlander to be from the Regency or Medieval era?
Vivien: Ooh. A gladiator. I could see that. :-)
My guardian would be from the early 1900's, I love that era. (+1)
ReplyDelete+1 Follower
+1 Twitter shout out (@takingitonebook)
If I had an Immortal Guardian, he would be from 1279 BC (approximately). That's when the pharoah, Ramses took the Egyptian throne.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower.
I posted on Twitter..
http://twitter.com/#!/bl0226/status/35455625118883840
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
Oooo the Renaissance! Hmmm an Italian Renaissance Arty type... But of course, with the desire to work out just enough to keep that body in shape. ;)
ReplyDeleterusted ivory at hotmail dot com
I would have to go with a highlander. I love those take charge old fashion type.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to pick what time period my Immortal Guardian would come from for some reason I think he would come from the 1700's England. I don't know but for some reason there is something about how a man was a man at that time and he could sweep a woman off her feet. Plus I would just love hearing words being whispered into my ears in a British accent. Yummy! :)
ReplyDeleteI am a GFC follower and I tweeted it from my account at http://twitter.com/#!/DarkBloodyVamp
Thank you so much for this giveaway!
redfirewood888(AT)yahoo(DOT)ca.
I think my Immortal Guardian would come from the middle ages because I think he'd be great with a sword and very protective.
ReplyDeleteBarbed1951(at)aol(dot)com
GFC follower
If I had an Immortal Guardian I would want an alpha highlander (not sure what period that would be)...Middle Ages?
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 GFC follower
lilazncutie1215[at]yahoo[dot]com
Thank you for a great interview and what a great question..
ReplyDeleteIf I had an Immortal Guardian I would want him to be from a warrior from historical Scotland. It's such a magical time and location.
This is fun!
ReplyDeleteI would pick the time period I know best: this time period. I'm not sure I could accept the old attitudes towards the female.
dsadler53 AT yahoo DOT ca
My guardian would be a Highlander (I don't really know what time period it would be)
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 follower
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
It's a tough call. Either one from revolution-era Russia or maybe 1970s Brit. Either way, I could go for an immortal guardian.
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 blog follower
+1 Twitter follower (@VampBookClub)
+1 blog post: http://vampirebookclub.net/contest-roundup-julie-kagawa-cynthia-eden-dianne-duvall-deborah-harkness-more/
If I had an Immortal Guardian (O'boy that would be fun...) I am going to be different and say a female... The time period I would want someone modern. So we can relate better. I think that it would be awesome. She could teach me to fight and all that good stuff. And yes there may not be a love connection, but friendship is good too.. And hey you never know were you will find love right?
ReplyDelete+1 comment & Answer
+1 following your blog (Kelly M)
+1 following on twitter (@kelAmU)
+1 Pimping you on my blog
http://crazy4bookss.blogspot.com/
Thanks for a fun giveaway. I am looking forward to reading this book. Dianne is a new author to me.. Just love to find new authors. I have put this book on my list of must reads.
Kelly M
crazybookfairy@gmail.com
Taking it One Book at a Time: There is a secondary character from that era in Night Reigns, the second book in the Immortal Guardians series. Perhaps somewhere down the line he'll get his own novel. :-)
ReplyDeletebooklover0226: You might like David then. He's the second eldest Immortal Guardian and has been described as having "the face of a pharoah."
Rusted: I think I've only encountered one or two Italian vampires, so an athletic Italian Renaissance artist would certainly be different!
Melissa Porter, jeanette8042, ChrisS, and throuthehaze: Highlanders are so irresistible. When I wrote the medieval romance I was tempted to make it take place in Scotland.
DarkBloodyVamp: Both Roland and Marcus are British, so perhaps you'll enjoy their whispering. ;-)
Barbara E.: Thanks to their training as medieval knights, Roland and Marcus are both very good with swords, though Roland prefers to carry sais. And Roland is very protective of Sarah. :-)
DIane: That's one of the things I like about Rolanad and Marcus. They may be from the Middle Ages, but their views of women are NOT medieval. :-)
Chelsea / Vampire Book Club: Ooh, a 1970's British immortal would be fun!
Kelly M: There's a French Immortal Guardian in Darkness Dawns named Lisette. Though she's from the Regency era, her views are definitely modern and she has no difficulty holding her own amongst the males. :-)
Kelly M: Thanks for joining us! I hope you enjoy Darkness Dawns!
I think a knight from the Middle Ages. Would have a lot of fun catching him up on modern times too!
ReplyDelete+1 comment
+1 follower
+1 tweet - http://twitter.com/#!/DonnaS1/status/35901884967419904
+1 blog - http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/2011/02/qwillery-interview-with-dianne-duvall.html
bacchus76 at myself dot com
+1 comment
ReplyDelete+1 follower
+1 tweet (urbestgurlfiend)
I cant pin down what era this would be but I think my IG would be from the 1800's or from waaaay back (think the movie "Spartans" I know it has Spartans in the title.lolz..)
I am siked to read this book, regardless if I win or not its goin in my ereader :)
I think I'd like a Viking Warrior, but with better manners than the ones in the Capital One commercials.
ReplyDeletemeredithfl at gmail dot com
Forgot to add that I'm a GFC follower.
ReplyDeletemeredithfl at gmail dot com
She becomes the Princess of Immortal Guardians.
ReplyDeleteIf I had an Immortal Guardian, I would want him to be from the future!
ReplyDeletetreerose AT yahoo DOT com
I would want my guardian to be from the future of be of the present. I don't know if I would want someone from the past because they could be stuck in the past.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this book. I have had it on my wishlist for sometime now. Definitely can't wait to pick it up.
iqb99@yahoo.com
blog follower
I want my knight in shining armor. I want a warrior willing to protect, but not ride roughshod over me. *sigh*
ReplyDelete+1 http://twitter.com/#!/CLMcCUNE/status/37962274383593472
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