Paul: I like to start my interviews by asking if you have any writing rituals?
Dawn: Not really, other than locking myself in my room. Like most authors I need my alone time when I'm writing.
What types of books
do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors? Why?
Dawn: I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, but it was the
Twilight series and Stephanie Meyers' back story that inspired me to try my
hand at writing. Most people's lives could use more fantasy.
Paul: If someone had the
power to step into your creative mind what would they see?
Dawn: The joy of childhood that we too often leave
behind!
Paul: Do you have a
favorite character in each of your series, aside from the lead? If so, which
one and why?
Dawn: Jubryi. The big guy is hilarious, honest, and
loyal. He's also a HOT hunk and that helps!
Paul: In all the years
you've been publishing your work, what is the biggest mistake you made that you
could share so others can avoid making it?
Dawn: At this point I’m still new to the industry.
But the one thing that I found incredibly frustrating was the lack of genuine
help. There were no websites that spelled it all out in simple how to steps and
everything such as editing, art work etc. Everything costs, and most of the
rates are far more than a single mom can afford. Because of that I’ve created a
new kind of publishing house that will allow people many choices. No matter
what you need or how much money you have or more decisively, don’t have, we can
work with you. No gimmicks, scams, just genuine people helping others to
realize their dream. We will be launching in early 2013.
Paul: What is one thing
you hope I do not tell the readers?
Dawn: LOL... Hmmm.
Paul: If you are
self-published, what led to you going your own way?
Dawn: I did a LOT
of homework. I even did a radio show about the subject. The biggest factor I
weighed was the advice I received from Lou Aronica. Lou is the man who took
on/published Star Wars back in the 70’s when no-one else would touch it. He was
also the SVP for two of the top publishing houses in the USA. Lou edited a
chunk of my novel and he taught me the finer details of writing. Anyway, after
years of being in the industry and working with amazing writers like Arthur C.
Clark, Nora Roberts, Ray Bradbury, and Margaret Weis just to name a few, he
left the traditional side of publishing and went independent. If someone with
that much experience and expertise chooses to go indie there must be a reason.
While interviewing Lou on my radio show we discussed the topic in depth.
Paul: Do you plot your
stories or do you just get an idea and run with it?
Dawn: Definitely run with it.
Paul: Do you do a lot of
editing or do you find that as time goes on your writing is more fully formed?
Dawn: It's always wise to edit. I prefer to go with
the flow of ideas to get them all down and then polish it up later.
Paul: Do you have to do
much research for your stories?
Dawn: Yes. I researched language and names, as well
as concepts.
Dawn: Angels & Warriors, The Awakening. It's a
fantasy about a woman who has her world ripped away from her. The story is
driven by the lead character's eyes opening to her true reality and she must
decide what path she will take in life; the easy one or the one that may change
the world for all eternity. The story is set in a medieval world...the lead
character is a strong female. There is romance, humor, love and betrayal.
Paul: What inspired you
to write this book?
Dawn: I read all four Twilight books in just five days.
I knew Stephanie’s back story and wondered what I could write if I gave it a
try. My only intention was writing a little story for ME. I just sat down one
day and started writing. One month later I had over 250 pages written and the
rest is history.
Paul: How much marketing
do you do for your published works or for you brand?
Dawn: It's a full time job. I am currently doing
blog tours and my radio show and the vice president of the company is marketing
for us at least forty hours a week.
Paul: What's your
favorite/least favorite aspect of your writing life? Has anything surprised
you?
Dawn: The process of writing is what I enjoy. It's
total immersion in my own fantasy. I was surprised when I finished writing a
book in just a few months then started a second book because the story wasn't
over. Editing is probably my least favorite aspect of writing because I can
ALWAYS find something to change.
Paul: What do you do when you're not writing? Do you have any hobbies or party tricks?
Dawn: I spend time with my two teenage boys. Camping is one our favorite family activities.
Paul: Thank you very much, Dawn. I wish you every success for the future.
Dawn is a humanitarian who has given her time and energy to complete strangers, including "critters" as she calls them. She once raised a squirrel at her home and also volunteered at an animal rescue facility. She tries to see the best in everyone. "I never judge, simply because I believe that all people should be free to be who they are at heart, not who others expect them to be," says Dawn.
She now lives on the East coast and is a single mom.
Dawn's Website: Angels & Warriors
Dawn on Twitter: @dawntevy
Dawn on Facebook: Dawn Tevy
Dawn's latest book: Angels & Warriors, The Awakening (Amazon)
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