Today, I'm pleased to have Diane Chamberlain, author of "The Midwife's Confession," stop by to answer a few questions about her writing, and her upcoming projects.
1. At what age did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
I was a huge reader as I child and that, combined with an overactive imagination, created a strong desire to write and tell stories. When I was eleven, I had the flu and had to stay home from school for a week. That’s when I wrote my first “book”, Witchville. I still have a copy, along with several other books I wrote back then. They are truly terrible, but that desire to be a writer only grew.
2. At what point in your career did it finally sink in – “hey, I’m famous,” and did it make a difference in your writing?
My climb as a writer has been so long and slow that I can’t say that I ever had that “aha!” moment. My career did change, however, when Target chose The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes as its Book Club Pick of the month in 2008. Suddenly, my books were everywhere and I gained tens of thousands of new readers who have been sticking with me ever since. I don’t think it’s changed my writing, though. I’ve always written with my readers in mind as I try to come up with a story that will keep them flipping those pages.
3. Who are some of your favorite authors? Who inspires you?
So many! Some of my favorites are Luanne Rice, Elizabeth Berg, Anne Rivers Siddons, Kristin Hannah and Jodi Picoult. I’m most inspired by authors who come up with stories that are fresh and unique, such as Sarah Gruen’s Water for Elephants and Kathryn Stockett’s The Help. I really admire a writer who can come up with something so out of the ordinary and bring it to life with wonderful writing.
4. What do you have coming up in the future?
I’m starting revisions on my 21st novel, The Good Father, which will be out in June 2012. It’s the story of three desperate people and the little girl who rescues them. I’m also excited that my Keeper of the Light trilogy is being reissued. The first book, Keeper of the Light, just came out last month. The second book, Kiss River, will be out in the fall and the third, Her Mother’s Shadow, will be released next spring. I’m excited that my newer readers will have the chance to read these books.
5. What advice would you have for anyone wanting to break into the writing biz today?
Publishing is changing so rapidly it’s almost impossible to keep up. The options to self-publish are not as negatively viewed as they used to be, but I worry people will rush their work to publication without making sure it’s the best it can be. I recommend taking a couple of classes in fiction writing to get feedback on your book before submitting it anyplace, and if you end up choosing the self-pubbing route, hire an editor. I’ve written 21 novels and I can’t imagine publishing one of them without the input of an editor, both to help perfect the story and the writing. Finally, persevere! It took me eight years from the day I started my first book to seeing it on the shelves of a bookstore. Giving up is not an option!
My thanks to Diane for taking time to stop by! Check out her website at www.dianechamberlain.com for more information on her books and upcoming events.
About The The Midwife's Confession -
Dear Anna,
What I have to tell you is difficult to write, but I know it will be far more difficult for you to hear, and I'm so sorry. . .
The unfinished letter is the only clue Tara and Emerson have to the reason behind their close friend Noelle's suicide. Everything they knew about Noelle-her calling as a midwife, her passion for causes, her love for her friends and family-described a woman who embraced life.
Yet there was so much they didn't know.
With the discovery of the letter and its heartbreaking secret, Noelle's friends begin to uncover the truth about this complex woman who touched each of their lives--and the life of a desperate stranger--with love and betrayal, compassion and deceit.
Told with sensitivity and insight, The Midwife's Confession will have you turning pages late into the night.
(My Review to come soon!)
