Dee Ernst Interview Published on: 15, Sep 2017
Who named you? Are you named after anyone or is there a story behind your name? Tell us a little bit about your life growing up.
Here’s the story as I heard it growing up – My mother wanted to name me Lori, but, apparently, never told my father. When I was born, my mother went into a coma, and I was unnamed for three days. When she woke up, she forgot all about Lori – understandably – but the nurses were pretty insistent that I get a name, so she named me Elizabeth ( after herself) Diane (a name my pregnant aunt had chosen if she had a girl) But she never liked Elizabeth, so she re-arranged my initials and called me Dea for Diane Elizabeth Ascoli. When I got into grade school, I changed the spelling myself to the more conventional Dee, but to this day, family members still write my name as Dea, the way Mom spelled it.
You book "A Slight Change of Plan" was quite the hit, racking up over 800 reviews. To what do you attribute this book's success? Why do you think it resonated with so many people?Who doesn’t have that ‘first love’ ideal about the then-perfect boyfriend? I think lots of women have that fantasy. I also think lots of the issues faced there are issues that women of a certain age – my people!— face; aging parents, grown children returning home, restarting a career and, of course, dating after 25, which is a very new experience for many women.
Are you particularly attached to any of your books or characters? How many of your books or characters do you model after your own life and experiences?Most of what has happened in my books have happened to myself or one of my friends, with the exception of a hot affair with a younger rock star (A Different Kind of Forever) Although my women are divorced, I’ve been happily married for almost thirty years. My favorite character is Michael, the afore mentioned rock star. He’s my perfect man.
If one of the characters from your books were to marry a character from another author's books, who would you pick and why?I’d be happy if any of my ladies ended up with John Sutter, from The Gold Coast, by Nelson DeMille. He’s one of my all-time favorite male characters – funny, smart, romantic, with a strong code of honor.
Who are some of you favourite authors? Favourite books?Mary Stewart ranks near the top. So do Susan Isaacs, Martha Grimes, Rex Stout and Anne River Siddons. I love children’s classics – I’ve probably read Wind in the Willows more than any other book. I also love an older book called Random Harvest, by James Hilton. It’s beautifully written and a totally amazing love story.
If you had to choose to write exclusively only romance or only mystery, which would you choose and why? Is there another genre you would like to try your hand at?Probably mystery – there are more places to go in the mystery genre, and you can always work in a bit of romance. I have dabbled in sci-fi under a different name, and enjoyed it, but I don’t think I could do that full-time.
Do you think someone could be an author if they don't feel emotions strongly? What is your writing kryptonite?I can’t answer that. I don’t know what it is in me that makes me want to write, so I really can’t judge others. My writing kryptonite? There’s a place in your story where the arc begins to fall, and there’s this huge gap right before the end – I hate that place. You have to fill it, and it has to tie everything together, and every word has to count because it’s so important for the reader to understand why this ending is the only ending possible. Did I mention that I hate that place????
Favourite place in the world and why?I just went to France for the first time. Is Paris too cliché?I was crossing a bridge into La Marais and I looked out at the houseboats tied up along the riverbank, and thought, yes, this is perfect.
What is the hardest thing about being a writer? What is the best thing about being a writer?Being your own boss. And being your own boss.
What do you dislike most about being an author? What do you like best?Unlike some writers, I’m not an introvert, so I miss being in a workplace. I always liked exchanging ideas, listening to other people’s opinions, and the general social scene. Sitting alone at your computer all day is hard for me, which is why I talk so much to myself, and my dogs. What I like best is finally getting to be with other writers, and talking shop. I always feel completely re-energized.
Who was your first beta reader? How were they able to help you become a better writer?A good friend and fellow book-lover was my first beta, and I sent her the very first love scene I ever wrote. I was very nervous, and I thought I’d done such a great job, and she came back with a big NO. She explained that, as a reader, you invest time and emotion in the characters, and if you want them to be together, and they finally are together, there has to be a pretty big payoff. I don’t write lots of love scenes, but I always keep that in mind when I do.
What time of the day do you feel most at peace and motivated to write? How many hours a day do you devote to writing?Mornings are good for me. I don’t have a set schedule. Some days I don’t write at all. Heresy, I know, but sometimes I just don’t know what to say. Then there are days when I’m typing so fast and for so long I forget to eat, and that’s something, believe me.
What kind of music do you listen to? Do you believe that listening to music helps you in your writing?I listen to classical music. I can’t listen to anything with singing, because I already have too many voices in my head. If I know I’m going to be on a roll, I’ll put on something really powerful to keep the blood going.
What is the one question you get asked most as a writer? What is one question you wish people would ask more?Where do I get my ideas? And…am I in this book? The questions I don’t get asked as much are about the process, the re-writes, the edits, the cover brain-storming. I like to talk about that part of being a writer.
How do you usually promote and market your books? Has AllAuthor been beneficial in this area and would you be willing to suggest it to your author friends?I’m terrible at marketing. I have a website, mailing list, Facebook and a Twitter account, but when it comes to telling people to BUY MY BOOK I’m a real wimp. I’ve been writing all summer rather than promoting all that much, so I haven’t had the chanse to explore AllAuthor as much as I should.
