Sensual Reads & Reviews Author Interview, Dawne' Dominique

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~ Dawne' Dominique ~

I'm an author with many diverse talents. I write in a variety of genres, but by far, erotica and fantasy are my first true loves.

During the week leading up to a full moon, you will find me writing. Some have called me a wereauthor, but I'll let you decide that for yourself. My muse always works overtime, and the voices in my head cannot be silenced until I tell their tales.

You will find spellbinding plots, riveting characters, and unique twists and turns in all my novels. I immerse a reader into the sensual folds of the worlds and characters I create, and I refuse to let them go until that last page is read.

Hi Dawne' Welcome to Sensual Reads and Reviews. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us today.

Please tell readers about you, what inspires you to write and why you decided to do so.

Well, some of those voices in my head are just downright pushy (are you listening, Daniella?) So, I write to placate them and hopefully, they'll give me a few hours of sleep. Life is my inspiration, be it good or bad. I tend to roll with the punches and once I get up and wipe myself off, I guarantee there’s a story to be told. Two years ago, I quit a seventeen year career as a paralegal. I was nearing the end of my rope, literally. I began writing again to try to create some inner peace and escape the extreme stress I was currently under. I joined an online writing site and from there, I didn't look back. My writing took over, so to speak. It made me see things in a different light. At the speed I was going, I knew I would die without being able to fulfill my greatest dream…becoming a published author. So, I resigned from my job, giving up everything, including my financial stability, which I find the most difficult thing to grasp. My independence is altered, but things change. They always do. I couldn’t have done such a drastic change in my life without the wonderful support of my husband and daughter.

Your latest release was Ridley's Rival available at loveyoudivine. Can you tell us about the characters in this erotic romance and what makes them tick?

Well, I will confess that Madison Maddox and Ashen Ridley are not your average romance characters. As children, Ashern was the spoiled, rich rancher's son, and Madison, the daughter of a stable hand that worked at Ridley Ranch. Even at that young age, they both realized that neither of them played very well together. When Ash turns thirteen, his father ships him off to boarding schools, and finally Harvard, but after his father passes away, Ash returns to the homestead to reclaim his legacy. He soon discovers there’s no family fortune left and accordingly to certain provisos in his father’s Will, Ash must work the ranch for one full year and make a profit before he can inherit the ranch.

Dale Forrest, an old foreman of the ranch and a close friend to both Madison and Ash, advises the young Ridley to go see Madison and ask for her help. Ashern despises the fact that he has to stoop to a stable hand’s daughter in order to save his future. Nonetheless, he puts aside his pride and approaches her with a business deal. Madison agrees, but only on her terms. She remembers him never following through on anything, and she’s uncertain as to whether this spoiled boy has finally grown into a responsible adult. Confused at the attraction she feels for Ash right at their first meeting, she is unaware that he, too, feels the same. Madison is nothing like what Ash looks for in a woman, so why can’t he stop thinking about her?

When he realizes that she loves his lands more than he does, be begins to reevaluate his priorities in life. It doesn’t take long before the two of them begin to butt heads as they did as children. Thrown into the mix is Amber Symthe, a pretty, blonde maid Dale hired to help them out. She’s devious because not only does she want to bilk the Ridley fortune, but her main goal is to ensnare the young Ridley heir as her own.

In addition to being released as an e-book, what other formats is Ridley's Rival being offered in?

Ridley's Rival is currently available in e-book and CD format. More exciting is that on December 1, 2007, all four of the Cowboys novels (authored by the very talented, Anastasia Rabiyah, Carol McKenzie and Sonya Grady) will be available in print format through Amazon, Books A Million, Borders, Barnes And Noble, All Romance ebooks. It’s my first print book, and I'm ecstatic!

What is your genre of choice and can you tell us why you feel comfortable writing stories in that basis?

When I first returned to my writing after a twenty year hiatus, my genre of choice was fantasy. I’ve written in that genre from as far back as I can remember. I love creating different worlds, unique characters, and using mage’ic. My first love will always be there, but since I began writing erotica romance, I haven't looked back…but I will (promise). I have two unfinished fantasy novels that keep whispering…finish me, finish me. I tend to involve a little bit of "mage'ic" in everything I write. If I can immerse a reader so deep that they forget about the problems of the outside world, if for just a few minutes, then I’ve achieved what I set out to do. It’s the tantamount reason I began to write again…to lose myself and break away from the stress of everyday life.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

YES…don't give up! For goodness sake... don't give up like I did. Learn your grammar rules, research publishers and editors, and research, research, and research! I should have kept writing and not allowed so many years to pass before I took it up again, but I also know how real life can cut into people’s dreams. Make the time, even if it’s just for yourself. Another piece of advice I can offer to any aspiring author is to join a writer's group, a place where you can give feedback to others and receive the same yourself. Even if you only write 500 words a week, keep at it. Nurse it, structure it, bond with it, and watch it grow. When that last word is written, there are no words to describe that feeling of accomplishment.

You are heavily involved in online writing groups. Do you feel author critique groups are a must for any writer?

Absolutely! I truly believe that without that support of a writer’s critique group, I would never have finished my first novel. Once I finished it, there was no stopping me. I moderate a Young Adult novel workshop as well, and there are some young writers that consistently blow me away with their writing skills. I try to encourage, prod, teach and basically be there for them when they’re feeling down and wanting to give up. A lot of them are young and haven’t learned that it is staunch determination that will make them finish. I just kinda push a little. *nudge, nudge* When I see a member posting their final chapter, and they’re trying to describe the feelings they’re experiencing, it’s amazing, and so fulfilling. Yes, it’s very time consuming to moderate, but for me, it’s time well spent. I know I’ve done something right. It’s all about supporting one another. As well, writers in these groups tend to grow thicker skin, which is essential in order to suffer through and accept those rejections that come back. True, I've been luckier than most in that regard, but they still sting. I’ve had the honor and privilege of learning from other published authors. In the end, I realized that being published was an attainable goal.

What is your favorite character, either yours or someone else's and why?

Gees, that’s a tough question. I’ve read some other author’s characters that have left me speechless. For me personally, I would say all my female characters. Daniella Rolfe is special to me because she is a vampire extraordinaire. She's strong, beautiful, rich, smart, and the oldest person I know. I will confess, I live vicariously through her, or at least I try. I’ve noticed a tendency in my writing that all my female characters are strong-willed and independent. Perhaps it’s the mage’ic in them. *snickers*

Do you have any hobbies or interests other than writing that influence your work?

Well, I'm the poster child of the term "starving artist". I create large abstracts in oil and acrylic. If someone likes my work, I'd rather give it to them than sell it. I’ve recently been hired as a digital cover artist for two erotic publishers. I also edit for an erotica publisher, which keeps my writing skills well honed. I just love my jobs! You wouldn’t hear me saying that two years ago. I also sit on a volunteer committee called Women Build wherein all women build the homes. We work in close association with Habitat. It’s an amazing experience!

Tell readers what upcoming works you have awaiting release. What are you writing now?

The beginning of "The First" trilogy called Diary of Daniella Rolfe is currently contracted through New Concepts Publishing. I have no release date as yet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Kindred Blood, the second novel of that series is currently in submission. I'm in the process of writing the grand finale called Crimson Cries. I also have a fantasy novel called Dark Prisoner: The Divenean Key which in submission with a fantasy publisher. As well, I started a new novel called Physical Therapy, which is a rather dark, tormented tale. I hope to sub that one to Love You Divine.

Is there anything else you'd like to share with readers?

Don’t give up on your dreams, no matter how many potholes you hit in life. It may take time, but if you’re determined and have the willpower to see it through to the end, you’ll make it. Positive attitudes create positive outcomes. Follow your heart…it will never steer you wrong.

Thank you Dawne' for being here with us today, we really enjoyed it.

Interview conducted by Anastasia Rabiyah
Sensual Reads & Reviews
November 2007

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