Today we have author Dee DeTarsio joining us for a Q&A! She has a new book out, Ros, and we'd like you all to check it out! You can click her name and head over to check her website out. It includes all her books there for you to check out.
When a plane crashed behind Micki Cramer's house, in San Diego, California, she kept waiting for the sirens and rescue team to show up. As the first responder, it was up to her to tug on the arm that was waving out of the broken wreckage. Holding her breath against the choking smoke, she managed to get the pilot out and carry him to safety into her backyard. He wasn't that heavy; he was about the size of her 10-year-old nephew, who did play a lot of video games and ate nothing but Flamin' Hot Cheetos, but still. As it turns out, he wasn't a guy after all.
Ros, the pilot, was on a mission to find her missing brother who had crash-landed at Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. Seems she was a bad driver, too, missing her target by nearly a thousand miles and more than half a century.
If Ros can teach Micki how to use eleven percent of her brain, how can Micki help Ros?
Still not convinced? I knew Ros would be a hard sell, as featured in
Dialogues With The Devil--A Conversation With A Literary Agent: Selling Your Soul
Devil: Is there an alien in it?
Me: Yes, but…
Devil: Science Fiction.
Me: No, but…
Devil: No Sci-Fi for me.
Me: Me, either.
Devil: (Recorded message) Thank you for considering me for submission of your manuscript. I kindly ask that you refrain from darkening my doorstep in the future.
Me: It’s not Science Fiction! Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Devil: Cloven hoof tapping impatiently.
Me: Think of it as a coming-of (voice lowers to whisper) -space- (louder) age story!
Devil: SF.
Me: No, not at all! Geez. Never. I mean there is romance in there, and a few NSFW scenes that while gratuitous, certainly do serve to move the story along…
Devil: SF!
Me: No! I do not write erotica.
Devil: Static on line; indeterminate rumbling that sounds a lot like “Maybe you should.”
Me: Who’s to say this didn’t really happen? Or that it won’t happen? The whole sci-fi world doesn’t have to be riddled with Stephen King monsters, or werewolves or vampires. Sookie Stackhouse would love Ros!
Devil: Dial tone.
Me: Oh, Ros. I miss you so. I mean, I would miss you if you had actually…Oops. My lips are zipped.
Ros was taped before a live studio audience. For a transcript of the show, please visit Ros!
Who or what inspires your writing?
I am stalking Marian Keyes! She’s a Virgo, I’m a Virgo. She’s a successful internationally recognized goddess of an author, and I...have read everything she’s ever written. I expect we would be best friends. She even looks amazingly like my younger sister, Ma... OK, my sister’s name isn’t Marian, it’s MaryBeth, but we call her Beezer, which has the exact same number of letters Marian’s name does. Coincidence? (I sometimes even call my sister an eejit!)
Her most excellent Ms. Keyes is from Ireland...I love the color green. From her first book, Watermelon, (my seventh favorite fruit) to Sushi For Beginners (I’m only up to California rolls myself) to Anybody Out There...I have loved, read, and reread every word. I’m even practicing what I will say when I meet her. I have been working on “Top of the morning,” as an icebreaker. I am such a gobshite.
When did you know you would be a writer?
Still waiting for confirmation.
How long did it take you to write your first novel?
I wrote my first novel, The Scent of Jade (finalist in the San Diego Book Awards Association) in about 8 months.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
The hardest part is that little, teeny-tiny one paragraph synopsis that becomes the road map for the story!
Do you have any writing rituals?
I try to write novels as a TV producer: Writing for television is writing for tell a vision. Producers are the authors of suspense: amping up the conflict and drama. Storytelling a vision invites the audience, through whatever medium, to stay tuned for the good stuff...coming up.
Have you written any thing else?
In addition to The Scent of Jade, I’ve written a novella, ‘Til Somebody Loves You, Romantic Comedy Quick-Pick, and The Kitchen Shrink (if you’re life’s a mess, your house could probably use a makeover, too!).
Any advice to aspiring writers?
Read for pleasure.
Reread for what you missed the first time around.
Remember the stories and styles that spark your passion.
Who are your favorite Authors/Books?
Gone With The Wind, Margaret Mitchell
Green Darkness, Anya Seton
Shining Through, Susan Isaacs
The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory
The Botticelli Secret, Marina Fiorato
and Anything by Marian Keyes
What are you currently reading?
As a contributor to the new reader’s blog, www.ReaderUnboxed.com I am reading genres all over the map, and it’s a blast: Hello, India Black (by Carol K. Carr) I’m talking to you, as well as Before Ever After (by Samantha Sotto). I also hear Marian Keyes (insert harp music here) has a COOKBOOK coming out in the Spring, which I will read! And, I am also drooling to read Stephen King’s 11/22/63...
How do readers find out more about you?
www.DeeDeTarsio.com
Twitter: @DeeDeTarsio
Facebook: Dee DeTarsio
A Note From Dee:
When I’m not writing, I’d like to say I’m busy speaking and cooking fluent Italian, teaching yoga class and volunteering for the Peace Corps, but none of that would be true.
Thanks for reading!
Author Bio:
Dee DeTarsio is a television writer living in southern California. (Remember those aptitude tests in sixth grade? She was supposed to be a Farmer’s Wife.) After growing up in Ennui, Ohio, and graduating from Ohio State University she vowed ‘never to be cold again’ (in a tantrum more worthy of Suellen than Scarlett) and ended up in Tucson, Arizona, producing the news for the CBS affiliate (oddly enough called KOLD-TV). She moved to San Diego where she worked in the SeaWorld entertainment department as a producer/writer (penguins are mean!), before producing and writing for the NBC affiliate.
From the girl who ate too many potato chips, Dee is the author of women’s fiction novels, THE SCENT OF JADE, THE KITCHEN SHRINK, ‘TIL SOMEBODY LOVES YOU, and just released, ROS.
Dear Freda!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting and posting! I hope everyone has a great week! Take care, Dee