In Conversation With “D.Wallace Peach” from “MythsOfTheMirror🐉” #AuthorInterview

Omigod! I am just so super excited to start with my Author Interview Series with one of my favourite Blogger (Myths of the Mirror) who is equally an awesome Fantasy writer. I personally like her more because she has helped me extract my (not-so-great, being humble☺) writing talent, hidden deep inside some dark corner of my heart❤ scared of coming out in front of the world😵

(Now the question in your mind would be) How she did that?🤔 Her monthly #writingprompts. If you haven’t participated yet, don’t forget to miss the next one.

I wanted to know more about her and then I thought the other Fantasy readers too, wanted that. So, here I am with this smashing Interview for you all to know more about none other than D.Wallace Peach.

1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

First, Himani, I want to thank you for this lovely opportunity to be interviewed for your blog. It’s so kind of you, and I’m delighted and honoured to be here. I’m looking forward to meeting your followers and chatting about writing and books. I’ve always enjoyed writing, and I enrolled in every writing course offered in college, but I never actually had the thought, “I want to be a writer.” Writing happened more by default, a way to fill some rare free time after my husband’s work required us to relocate. He suggested, “Why don’t you write a book?” I replied, “Okay.” And then I did. That first book was horrible, of course, and it took years of rewriting and editing before I found a publisher, but by then, I was hooked!

2. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

That depends on the age. A princess and ballerina first😅. Then during my teens, I wanted to be an outdoorswoman and go on wilderness adventures! In college, I studied acting and did a touch of theatre upon graduating. But as life often requires, I needed to be practical more than artistic, and eventually, I got a job that would pay the bills. Honestly, it wasn’t until I reached the age of 50 that I had the opportunity to discover what I really wanted to do when I grew up!

3. When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I wrote my first book at the age of 50. I think about all the writers that started in their teens, twenties, thirties, and how much more experience I could have collected if I’d begun decades ago. Sometimes I wish I had discovered my passion for words earlier, but life can be funny like that, and I’m immensely grateful that the opportunity finally arrived. It goes to show that it’s never too late to explore, learn, grow, try new things, and find something you love to do.

4. Which is your favourite book that you have written so far? And why? Also which writer do you love reading?

Oooh, hard questions! Sunwielder is a book that I’m immensely proud of, and it’s my husband’s favourite. It’s a time-travel story, and the premise has profound meaning to me. It deals with how each tiny choice we make resets the direction of our lives. It also touches on how the unfortunate events that befall us may contribute ultimately to positive outcomes. The main character, Gryff, is given a series of chances to go back in time and choose differently, thus changing his future and the futures of all those he encounters along his life’s journey. I love reading and there are a bunch of authors I enjoy! Tolkien introduced me to the magical world of books at a time when I thought reading was incredibly boring! The Lord of the Rings literally changed my life and remains a favourite for that reason. I read a lot of dark fantasy from authors like Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, and Scott Lynch. I love any book, regardless of genre, if it’s filled with beautiful writing, luscious words, and deeply drawn characters.

5. What do you think makes a good story?

I think the answer to this question isn’t universal since we’re all different regarding our reading tastes. I’m a sucker for great characters. That comes first and foremost, more important than plot, pacing, action, or description. If the characters are emotionally flat, lacking in complexity, or don’t behave realistically, the best plot in the world won’t save a book for me. I also like the complexity of worldbuilding. Not that a book needs to be loaded with details, but the world has to be deeply planned so that I completely fall for its reality. I love becoming immersed in stories. It’s one of the reasons I enjoy reading big fat series.

6. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Stories pop into my head at odd times. I might be driving or gardening or watching the news. I might be reading a book that sparks a sideways-related idea. Soul Swallowers was triggered by a writing prompt, The Sorcerer’s Garden by my brother’s death, The Bone Wall by the Iraq War. Now that I think about it, I know the seeds from which each of my stories grew.

7. What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?

For the first 7 years of writing, I wrote 10-12 hours a day, 6 days a week. I was a woman obsessed! Then my blog started getting busier and busier and busier, and the number of hours available for writing shrank and shrank in response. Now I try to write 4-6 hours per day with a goal of at least 1K words. Balancing the time required for blogging has been a continuous process. I think we have to actively safeguard the things in our lives that are important to us including the time to indulge our creative passions (which too often get pushed to the back burner).

8. Do you believe in writer’s block?

Not really. Or, I should say, I don’t allow myself the indulgence of a block. I have a lot of self-discipline, and I write no matter what, no matter how painful it feels to get the ugly words out. Often, just forcing myself to sit there and write crap for a couple of hours loosens the knot or helps me understand the problem that prevented me from moving forward smoothly. Outlining is very helpful in this respect. It gives me an idea of where I need to go, and I go there even if I find out later than it’s the wrong direction.

9. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I like physical labour, gardening and building things outside in the sunshine. I also volunteer in my town, and I like being creative in different ways, though I’m an amateur at all of them. My home is in the Dragon Wood🐉, and we have a gnome tree as well as a friendly troll, guardian snails, and baby dragon nests. My grandson, the Gnome King, and I spend a lot of time hunting for treasure in the woods😍. And finally, of course, I love to read.

10. Do you have any suggestions to help our readers become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Excelling at writing is an ongoing process and like anything we do, we improve with practice. Write every day, read great authors, read blogs and books about writing. Become a sponge for information on the craft, and then write some more. At the same time, be true to yourself and honour your work. Love what you do. The MOST important thing I did for my writing career was to join a writer’s group. For five years, I met face to face with other fantasy writers, and during that time, I received loads of constructive criticism. They could see the problems in my work that I couldn’t. I became a glutton for criticism because each thoughtful critique made my writing stronger. It still does!

Thank You, Diana!

You can connect with Diana on:

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Buy her heart-stopping Books on Amazon👇

D. Wallace Peach Books

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D. Wallace Peach Books


 

In Conversation With Vicky ❤#INTERVIEWSERIES #BOOKBLOGGER📚📚📚#VickywhoReads🤓

 

 

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How did you like the Interview With D.Wallace Peach? Do share your thoughts with me, I would love to hear them! If you know Diana, Share something that we don’t know about her in the comment below, Diana would also love to hear that😉!!!