Diane Bator
Describe your desk:
My desk is a restored garage sale find painted gloss black. I always have candles on top, a printer and file cabinet at my side and my cat either sleeps behind me on my chair or on the bed across the room when he's not fishing for papers from the printer.
Where did you grow up? How has this influence your writing?
I grew up on an acreage near a small town in central Alberta, Canada. Since we were fairly isolated, my characters became my best friends and stories were my way of having a fascinating life without ever leaving the property.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I love the whole process of writing, sitting in a coffee shop or outside on my patio with a cup of coffee while I create whole new worlds.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
My kids and my work!
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I work at a karate school and also train in martial arts and do yoga. I also love going for long walks with my kids.
Do you experience writer's block?
Not very often. Usually, I can just pick up a pen and write pieces of whatever I am working on.
How do you overcome writer's block?
I go do something mindless, clean the house, go for a walk, cook something...
Who are your favorite authors?
I have so many favorites!! Stephen King, Anne Rice, and Janet Evanovich first inspired me to write, now I'm good friends with so many talented writers I get the privilege to read. I'm also reading a lot of inspirational non-fiction that influences me, Brene Brown and Crystal Andrus to name a couple.
Do you prefer e-books or physical copies?
I have hundreds of e-books but LOVE to hold a physical copy and breathe in the scent, especially with my own new books!
What motivated you to become an (indie) author?
I've always been driven to write and tell stories, I grew up listening to my parents' friends over coffee and at parties. I think everyone has a story to tell whether it is their own or one they've created.
What is your favorite genre to write?
I currently write mystery and cozy mystery.
Who do you feel has been the most supportive, other than your family?
I joined a writing group in 2007 where I found so much amazing support and advice. I was lucky enough to end up finding an agent through a critique partner and now work with two awesome publishers as well. When people find out I am a published author, they are always very happy for me and supportive, even total strangers!
Do you put yourself into any of your characters?
Definitely. Bits of us are always in our work.
Do you have any strange writing habits?
Not really, but I have been known to write anytime, anywhere. I've written while cooking dinner, on napkins in restaurants, on small notepads while waiting for my car to be repaired...
Where do you want to visit that you haven't visited before?
Pretty much everywhere, but New Mexico tops the current list. There's just something about the rocks and desert that draw me in. In fact, I've set one of my yet unpublished books in the desert.
When you start a new story or book, do you know how it will end?
Sometimes. Usually, I start with a moment in time and write around it.
Do you write every day?
There are weeks or months I will write every day, but with 3 kids and a part time job, it's sometimes difficult. I'm grateful I have published 5 books especially with all the challenges in my life lately!
How did you choose the genre of your work?
Funny enough, my genre chose me! I saw a contest to write a mystery novella. I jumped in and gave it a try and won the contest!! My first novella, Murder on Manitou, came out in 2010 from a small Canadian publisher.
What have you written?
Gilda Wright Mysteries (Gemma Halliday Publishing):
Book 1: Can't Keep a Brunette Down
Book 2: Hardheaded Brunette
Wild Blue Mysteries (Books We Love Publishing):
Book 1: The Bookstore Lady
Book 2: The Mystery Lady
Book 3: The Bakery Lady
Murder on Manitou, Winner of the 2010 Murder In Ink Contest, Wynterblue Publishing.
Anthologies:
Cozy Christmas Capers, Gemma Halliday Publishing.
A Walk in Fields of Gold, Headwaters Writers’ Guild anthology, Spiral Press.
Stories of Prayers and Faith, Spiral Press.
Where can your books be purchased or viewed?
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, in Canadian bookstores, Kobo, on my website.
What are you working on now?
Currently at work on Book 4 for the Wild Blue Mystery series as well as Book 1 in a whole new series for Gemma Halliday Publishing.
When did you decide to start writing?
I have always been a writer since I was young. I put aside my passion while my kids were very young, writing stories just for them, and decided to unearth my love to write when we moved across Canada to a small town where we knew no one. Writing became a great way to meet other people with similar interests.
Have you ever collaborated with another author?
I am currently doing that now with my new series. I don't have details to release just yet! I have done editing for other authors as well.
What's your writing process like?
Grab a notebook and pen, pour a cup of tea or coffee, sit in my chair (or on my couch or patio chair) and write!! Usually, I play instrumental, relaxation music to distract my mind and can write out a scene or two before I need to move.
What do you think is the hardest part of writing?
Having to face someone else's edits! I can never open those emails immediately, I usually have to wait a day or so before I can dive in.
Do you edit as your write or do you write and then go back to edit later?
A little of both. I prefer to get the whole book written out before I got back and smooth over the rough spots.
What's your favorite motivational phrase?
Baby Steps!!
What's your favorite film and why?
Mamma Mia, it's fun and silly yet has a good story.
What's your favorite quote?
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...(I LOVE Dory!!)
Which famous person, living or dead, would you like to meet and why?
The Dalai Lama, I've just always been fascinated with him and all he represents.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven't included?
I am a blue belt in karate and love watching corny movies with my kids.
Contact Information:
Website: http://penspaintsandpaper.com
Blog: http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diane-Bator-Author/263599617046736?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dibator @dibator
LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/pub/diane-bator/18/634/35b
Book links:
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Diane-Bator/e/B009CGCPRE/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1373146510&sr=1-2-ent
Gemma Halliday Publishing: http://www.gemmahalliday.com/Halliday_Publishing/ourauthors/Diane_Bator/
Books We Love Ltd.: http://bookswelove.net/authors/bator-diane/
My desk is a restored garage sale find painted gloss black. I always have candles on top, a printer and file cabinet at my side and my cat either sleeps behind me on my chair or on the bed across the room when he's not fishing for papers from the printer.
Where did you grow up? How has this influence your writing?
I grew up on an acreage near a small town in central Alberta, Canada. Since we were fairly isolated, my characters became my best friends and stories were my way of having a fascinating life without ever leaving the property.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I love the whole process of writing, sitting in a coffee shop or outside on my patio with a cup of coffee while I create whole new worlds.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
My kids and my work!
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I work at a karate school and also train in martial arts and do yoga. I also love going for long walks with my kids.
Do you experience writer's block?
Not very often. Usually, I can just pick up a pen and write pieces of whatever I am working on.
How do you overcome writer's block?
I go do something mindless, clean the house, go for a walk, cook something...
Who are your favorite authors?
I have so many favorites!! Stephen King, Anne Rice, and Janet Evanovich first inspired me to write, now I'm good friends with so many talented writers I get the privilege to read. I'm also reading a lot of inspirational non-fiction that influences me, Brene Brown and Crystal Andrus to name a couple.
Do you prefer e-books or physical copies?
I have hundreds of e-books but LOVE to hold a physical copy and breathe in the scent, especially with my own new books!
What motivated you to become an (indie) author?
I've always been driven to write and tell stories, I grew up listening to my parents' friends over coffee and at parties. I think everyone has a story to tell whether it is their own or one they've created.
What is your favorite genre to write?
I currently write mystery and cozy mystery.
Who do you feel has been the most supportive, other than your family?
I joined a writing group in 2007 where I found so much amazing support and advice. I was lucky enough to end up finding an agent through a critique partner and now work with two awesome publishers as well. When people find out I am a published author, they are always very happy for me and supportive, even total strangers!
Do you put yourself into any of your characters?
Definitely. Bits of us are always in our work.
Do you have any strange writing habits?
Not really, but I have been known to write anytime, anywhere. I've written while cooking dinner, on napkins in restaurants, on small notepads while waiting for my car to be repaired...
Where do you want to visit that you haven't visited before?
Pretty much everywhere, but New Mexico tops the current list. There's just something about the rocks and desert that draw me in. In fact, I've set one of my yet unpublished books in the desert.
When you start a new story or book, do you know how it will end?
Sometimes. Usually, I start with a moment in time and write around it.
Do you write every day?
There are weeks or months I will write every day, but with 3 kids and a part time job, it's sometimes difficult. I'm grateful I have published 5 books especially with all the challenges in my life lately!
How did you choose the genre of your work?
Funny enough, my genre chose me! I saw a contest to write a mystery novella. I jumped in and gave it a try and won the contest!! My first novella, Murder on Manitou, came out in 2010 from a small Canadian publisher.
What have you written?
Gilda Wright Mysteries (Gemma Halliday Publishing):
Book 1: Can't Keep a Brunette Down
Book 2: Hardheaded Brunette
Wild Blue Mysteries (Books We Love Publishing):
Book 1: The Bookstore Lady
Book 2: The Mystery Lady
Book 3: The Bakery Lady
Murder on Manitou, Winner of the 2010 Murder In Ink Contest, Wynterblue Publishing.
Anthologies:
Cozy Christmas Capers, Gemma Halliday Publishing.
A Walk in Fields of Gold, Headwaters Writers’ Guild anthology, Spiral Press.
Stories of Prayers and Faith, Spiral Press.
Where can your books be purchased or viewed?
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, in Canadian bookstores, Kobo, on my website.
What are you working on now?
Currently at work on Book 4 for the Wild Blue Mystery series as well as Book 1 in a whole new series for Gemma Halliday Publishing.
When did you decide to start writing?
I have always been a writer since I was young. I put aside my passion while my kids were very young, writing stories just for them, and decided to unearth my love to write when we moved across Canada to a small town where we knew no one. Writing became a great way to meet other people with similar interests.
Have you ever collaborated with another author?
I am currently doing that now with my new series. I don't have details to release just yet! I have done editing for other authors as well.
What's your writing process like?
Grab a notebook and pen, pour a cup of tea or coffee, sit in my chair (or on my couch or patio chair) and write!! Usually, I play instrumental, relaxation music to distract my mind and can write out a scene or two before I need to move.
What do you think is the hardest part of writing?
Having to face someone else's edits! I can never open those emails immediately, I usually have to wait a day or so before I can dive in.
Do you edit as your write or do you write and then go back to edit later?
A little of both. I prefer to get the whole book written out before I got back and smooth over the rough spots.
What's your favorite motivational phrase?
Baby Steps!!
What's your favorite film and why?
Mamma Mia, it's fun and silly yet has a good story.
What's your favorite quote?
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...(I LOVE Dory!!)
Which famous person, living or dead, would you like to meet and why?
The Dalai Lama, I've just always been fascinated with him and all he represents.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven't included?
I am a blue belt in karate and love watching corny movies with my kids.
Contact Information:
Website: http://penspaintsandpaper.com
Blog: http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diane-Bator-Author/263599617046736?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dibator @dibator
LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/pub/diane-bator/18/634/35b
Book links:
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Diane-Bator/e/B009CGCPRE/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1373146510&sr=1-2-ent
Gemma Halliday Publishing: http://www.gemmahalliday.com/Halliday_Publishing/ourauthors/Diane_Bator/
Books We Love Ltd.: http://bookswelove.net/authors/bator-diane/