Up Close & Personal with Author - D L Richardson “The Bird With The Broken Wing”

Book review wanted:  Bloggers welcome.

Patti Says: Love this cover!  Vote for it on Goodreads...  

Where were you born and where do you call home?

I was born in Dublin, Ireland and my parents migrated to Australia when I was 8 months old. I live on the east coast of Australia, on the south coast of New South Wales. 4 years ago I ditched the city life for a sea change with the plan to spend more time writing. My plan has paid off. 3 years after leaving a 2 hour city commute behind, I’ve landed my first publishing deal.

  

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?

The Bird With The Broken Wing is a Young Adult Paranormal novel about a guardian angel who finds herself trapped in Purgatory with the mortal she’s assigned to watch over.

  

If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?

All my characters are pretty dysfunctional, even though they all think they’re perfectly fine. You’d have to take everything they said with a grain of salt.

  

Do you have plans for a new book?   Is this book part of a series?

I’m currently writing a YA speculative fiction novel. One day I’ll write a follow up to The Bird With The Broken Wing as there is so more to tell about my dysfunctional guardian angel.

  

What or who inspired you to write?  And how long have you been writing?

I can’t say any “one” person inspired me to write because I have always wanted to write novels. This compulsion to write has come from within. All up, I’ve been writing on and off for 15 years. Every now and then I give it up, then, disgusted with myself for giving in to rejection so easily, I take it up again.

Would you like to giveaway a copy of your book on this blog?

I would love to give away a copy to a reader. I would love for them to do a review on any of the sites my book is selling though as I'm starting out and really need the support.

How did you come up with the title and cover design?

The title took a while to finalize. I had working titles for the first few months of writing but none of them felt right. Then I was out walking one morning with my dog, playing with words in my head, and then bam, I got the idea that angels were birds and this angel is not as perfect as she thinks she is. The cover design is brilliant though I can’t take any of the credit for it. My publisher, Etopia Press, found my cover artist.

Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?

No, but because I write teenager characters, I constantly have to delve back into my own childhood. I will freely admit to hating going through puberty and have never wished to go through it again. Hormones are horrible. I guess if I came out of my childhood feeling differently, I would not be able to create believable teenage characters that people can identify with.

What books have most influenced your writing most and why?

My favorite books as a teenager made me fall in love with YA fiction (see list of my favorite books below). When I was 18 I discovered Dean Koontz and for the first time I could say I had a favorite author.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?

Dean Koontz.

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

I do like a paperback because I always like to have a book in my handbag. But I can see the benefits of getting a kindle or some other e-reader. I’m planning 3 weeks of travel soon, and I can’t cram too many paperbacks into my luggage. So an e-reader will be my next purchase.

Have you ever read a book more than once?

Definitely. One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest. The Hobbit. Black Beauty. Flowers in the Attic. Tuck Everlasting. I’m currently on a journey to track down books I read 20 years ago, such as Lord Of The Flies, The Onion Fields. I’m getting sentimental in my old age, and I’m wondering what books of today I’ll consider classics in another 20 years.

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?

I think the Harry Potter movies are as good as the books, but I would never say they are better. Books are better. Period.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (ebook/paperback/hardcover)?

I'm curently reading "Linger" by Maggie Stievater, in hard cover version. I’m reading it out of order but I’m having no troubles following the story line.

Who designed the cover of your book?

The cover was designed by Eithne O’Hanlon, an Irish girl with amazing talent. I didn’t source her, my publisher did. I couldn’t be happier with the cover art. It’s perfect.

Do you have a book trailer?

Not yet. I plan to work on one soon, which will be a totally new area for me. I’m a mid level techie. Any suggestions?

What are your thoughts on book trailers?

Not sure, as I haven’t done any exploring yet. I have no idea what I’m in for. If anyone has any advice I’d be glad to hear it.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Read a lot. Write a lot. Learn a lot. And expect to do all three for many years.

What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing?

Nobody asked me to do this. That little gem of advice has helped me deal with rejection letters and to not take them personally. It’s made me want to be a better writer so that one day somebody will ask me to write a book. It’s helped me stay grounded, humble and helped me get rid of any ego because there is always something I need to learn.

Do you write under a pen name?

Yes and no. My real name is Deborah but nobody calls me that. Everyone calls me Deb or Debbie but I don’t like either of those names in print. So I opted for initials. Plus I want to write fiction aimed at male readers.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?

Ummm, guilty. I work full time so I get up early and sneak in a few hundred words while drinking my morning coffee. Then, after work, I’m dying to get out of my suit so I slink straight back into my PJs where I type for a few hours and slip into bed.

What are your pet peeves?

I usually can’t remember these till they happen, then I’m like, I #$#@#$ hate this!!! I dislike people who hijack conversations; they mistake my silence for active listening when really I’ve zoned out. I don’t like slow drivers; bit of a speed demon I’m afraid. Dishes left in the sink when the dishwasher is only two feet away.  The weekends ending.

  

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

I prefer to write first thing in the day when my brain is fresh. Plus the house is usually quiet and dawn is my favorite time of day.

  

One of your favorite quotes.You can do anything, but not everything. David Allen. 

List 3 of your all time favorite books?

The Outsiders by S.E Hinton. I connected with this book when I read it at 14 years of age and my love for this book has never left me.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit for the same reason.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I read this for the first time only a few years ago and I didn’t want it to end. Did not expect it to capture me.

The Hobbit by Tolkien which I’ve read 3 times.

I know you said 3, but I have so many books to choose from. I also love The Brothers Grimm. It’s no surprise that I don’t write for adults!

List 3 of your all time favorite movies?

Gone With The Wind (for sentimental reasons, plus it’s a classic)

The Crow (best love story ever)

The Sixth Sense (best ghost story ever)

An actor you have a crush on.Jensen Ackles

Patti Says:  Doesn't everyone :)))))

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

There are only a few TV shows that I’ll stop writing for. Supernatural, Doctor Who and Burn Notice.

 

Where can your readers stalk you?

Website:  www.dlrichardson.com
Email:  dlrichardsonbooks@bigpond.com  
Blog:  dlrichardsonwrites.blogspot.com
Facebook:  facebook.com/dlrichardsonbooks
Twitter:   twitter.com/#!/DLRichardson1  

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