Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

Diane Holiday and I was born in 1964. So, I’m in my fifties. (Yes, I’m too lazy to do the math,and I honestly never know how old I am.)

Fiona: Where are you from?

I grew up in Ellicott City, Md. I’ve since lived in many states including the snow-belt of Syracuse for ten years and New Jersey near the shore where I raised the kids. Currently in South Carolina, which I LOVE.

 Fiona: I have a dual BS from University of Maryland for Economics and Information Systems Management. Neither of which have anything to do with my writing career. But that’s the way it goes.

 Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

My third book for the Love Beyond Danger Series is due to come out this fall.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

As an avid reader, I always loved books and started writing in my early teens.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve always considered myself a writer as far back as I can remember, but I didn’t get serious and think of it as a career until my kids went away to college. That was about eight years ago.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

I loved reading romance and attempted a historical romance. It was horrible! But I didn’t know it at the time, being only sixteen. That book never saw the light of day, thankfully. My first published book. Love in Hiding, was inspired by my respect for those in the military and the time I spent at the farms around horses that my daughter rode.

 Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

I did a lot of brainstorming until I found one that fit.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

I write in deep POV (point of view) and it removes all the filters so that the reader can really feel what the characters are feeling without being “told” or narrated.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Since I write romantic suspense and have multiple villains in my books, not much of the plots are based on experience, thankfully! Some of the characters (the good ones) are based on people that I know.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

I have not needed to so far. The settings are places that I have lived or vacationed.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

My press, City Owl, designs the covers. Tina Moss is amazing.

 Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

 While my novels are meant to entertain, I always hope that the strong theme of love and loyalty comes through.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

Christina Hovland is an amazing, new rom com author.  GOING DOWN ON ONE KNEE is hilarious and romantic. I’ve always been a fan of Catherine Coulter. I love the suspense and heat level of her books.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

I love my editor, Mary Cain at City Owl Press. She’s pushed me to be my very best and been amazing through the publishing process.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Absolutely. I work full time and then some on it. I’m lucky to be able to now.

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I really wouldn’t. I’m so happy with both of the books.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

I’m always learning as I constantly take classes and workshops to hone my craft. It’s subtle things, like how to improve on viscerals or backloading sentences. It’s really important to me to put out a quality book. I take that over quantity, which is why I only have three so far.

 Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

That’s tough because I honestly watch so little television and movies that I’m not even current on the actors. I don’t know.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Find a good group of critique partners. They are essential in getting your best work out there. We all help each other, although sometimes with tough love.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

I truly appreciate people reading my book, and it makes me so happy when I get a text or call and someone says they were up half the night unable to put one down. Of course, I always appreciate honest reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

 Fiona: What book are you reading now?

FLY AWAY (Baxtorboys book five) by Jessie Gussman. She’s an amazing writer. I love her sweet romances.

 Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

I really don’t. I had to be very young. I do remember eagerly waiting for every new Nancy Drew book! I owned the whole collection. Also, Laura Ingalls Wilder.

 Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

I laugh at A LOT. I love sarcasm and play on words. I’m a practical joker as well. Once I put the tag from a frozen turkey sticking out of the toilet and I told my kids not to use it because I was defrosting the turkey. OMG, they DIED. It was so funny. They believed me and were horrified. That’s the kind of stuff I do. What makes me cry is any cruelty to animals.

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

Amelia Earhart because I would love to talk to her about flying. She was so courageous and unafraid.

 Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

I love to read, kayak, bike, and go boating on the lake with my husband.

 Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

I really don’t watch much. I like the old sitcoms. Cheers, Friends, Frazier, Seinfeld. I do like The Voice, and sometimes I get sucked into Ancient Aliens when hubby has the history channel on. LOL. If I watch a movie, it’s usually an action flick like Mission Impossible, Sahara, or The King’s Men.

 Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Pizza and Moosetracks ice cream are favorite foods. Purple has always been my favoritecolor. It’s the color of passion and healing. I just got a purple kayak and this old lady in one of those Walmart riding carts went by and she pointed to the kayak as we were loading it and said, “Passion! The color of passion!” I laughed so hard and named the kayak “Purple Passion.” As far as music, I like classic rock. Tom Petty, Bon Jovi, ELO, Queen.

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

I TRULY can not imagine that. Not kidding. I can’t. I guess I’d want to work in a book store to be around books.

 Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

With my children and husband anywhere we could be together.

 Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?

I won’t have one because I told them to cremate me. But if I did, “She always got the last word.” LOL

 Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

www.dianeholiday.com

Here is a link to my Author page on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Diane-Holiday/e/B076B5VQL5?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1556489334&sr=8-1

And here are the links to the books for ordering. (They are on Kindle Unlimited.)
Love in Hiding
http://smarturl.it/HidingAmz

Love Uncovered
http://smarturl.it/UncoveredAmz