Author Diana Forbes Shares Their Story
Diana Forbes is a 9th generation American, with ancestors on both sides of the Civil War. Diana Forbes lives and writes in Manhattan. When she is not cribbing chapters, Diana Forbes loves to explore the buildings where her 19th Century American ancestors lived, loved, survived and thrived. Prior to publication, Diana Forbes’s debut won 1st place in the Missouri Romance Writers of America (RWA) Gateway to the Best Contest for Women’s Fiction. A selection from the novel was a finalist in the Wisconsin RWA “Fab Five” Contest. Mistress Suffragette won first prize in the Chanticleer Chatelaine Award for Historical Fiction and was shortlisted for the Somerset Award for Literary Fiction.
About the Author
Diana Forbes is a 9th generation American, with ancestors on both sides of the Civil War. Diana Forbes lives and writes in Manhattan. When she is not cribbing chapters, Diana Forbes loves to explore the buildings where her 19th Century American ancestors lived, loved, survived and thrived. Prior to publication, Diana Forbes’s debut won 1st place in the Missouri Romance Writers of America (RWA) Gateway to the Best Contest for Women’s Fiction. A selection from the novel was a finalist in the Wisconsin RWA “Fab Five” Contest. Mistress Suffragette won first prize in the Chanticleer Chatelaine Award for Historical Fiction and was shortlisted for the Somerset Award for Literary Fiction.
What inspires you to write romance books?
I love unearthing untold stories, and so much of the texture of our lives is informed by romance. To me, romance stories whisk the reader away in a way that no other fiction truly does.
Tell us about how you write:
I am both a seat of the pants writer and an outliner. I generally start with an outline, but then the characters veer off it from the get-go. I allow that to happen. I feel it lets the characters breathe. Then, at the end, before submitting my story, I will go back to the outline and change it to conform to what the characters actually did.
Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Yes. I might interview them or write a diary entry in their voice. Sometimes if I am stuck, I think of myself as making time to "go on a date" with my character. I just need to make time to understand my characters, and I do.
What advice would you give other writers?
Your writing is like a souffle. Sometimes you just have to wait long enough to allow it rise. Impatience is not a good trait for a writer. Be a little patient and the results will be worth the wait.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
My debut novel, Mistress Suffragette, is published by an Indie publisher called Penmore Press.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
A publisher allows you to have a bit more marketing help, which we all need. I would advice authors to explore all options. The great thing about having so many different options is that there are new outlets to find readers. I am learning new things about marketing every day!
What genres do you write:: Romance, Victorian, Historical Romance, Political, NY Gilded Age Fiction
What formats are your books in: eBook, Print, Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Author Home Page Link
Link To Author Page On Amazon
Link To Author Page On Smashwords
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
https://www.goodreads.com/DianaForbes
https://www.facebook.com/DianaForbesAuthor/
https://twitter.com/dianaforbes18
https://www.pinterest.com/dianaforbes1/
