Meet Dani-Lyn Alexander

Visiting today in My Writing Corner is New York author, Dani-Lyn Alexander. She lives on Long Island with her husband, three kids and three dogs. She loves spending time with her family, at the beach, the playground or just about anywhere. In her spare time, which is rare, she enjoys reading and shopping--especially in books stores. Some of her favorite things  include Bernese Mountain dogs, musicals, bubble baths and soft blankets. She is an incurable insomniac and has an addiction to chocolate.  Her new book, Anonymous, is coming out this week. Dani, we’d like to know about your writing journey.  How did you get started?

I sat down with a pen and paper and started writing my first novel three years ago. I had half of the book written in a looseleaf binder when my husband went out and bought me a laptop and a desk and set me up a small office. Then my best friend came over and taught me how to use Microsoft Word. I had never even heard of it before that. I had to learn pretty much everything there was to learn about queries, agents, publishers, track changes, editing…

My first book, Trust and Betrayal, and its sequel, Truth and Deceit, were published by Etopia Press. I also contracted several short stories with other small presses. Then I was fortunate enough to have an editor named Liz Ryan, at Still Moments Publishing, edit one of my stories. I can’t begin tell you how much I learned from her. She is kind, patient, and knowledgeable, a wonderful teacher. I will always be grateful for everything she taught me.  Soon after working with Liz, I found my agent, Dawn Dowdle at Blue Ridge Literary Agency. She originally contracted a children’s fantasy book with me. When I sent her Anonymous, she really liked it and offered to represent it. Now she represents all of my work.

Did you always know you were destined to be a writer?

When I was a kid, I thought I was destined to be a writer. Then I lost track of it for a while with getting married, having children, building a career… I’m very happy I found my way back to it.

Tell us a little about your newest book, Anonymous. It's about online dating, a fascinating subject. How did you research it?  Have you ever done any online dating?

I never have. I have a few friends who tried online dating, two successfully, one not so much. I started thinking about what could happen. How could you ever be sure the person you were talking to was being honest?

Where do normally get your story ideas?  

I love getting story ideas from my children. Kids have fantastic imaginations, and role playing games are a great way to see them in action. The monsters in one of my middle grade stories were named for the way my two-year-old said Lincoln Logs at the time I was writing it.

What are you working on now?

Right now I’m working on another romantic suspense novella, as well as book two in a young adult fantasy series.

Any other things you are working on for the future?

I’d love to do a series of cozy mysteries.

How can readers reach you or find you online?

Website:  http://www.danilynalexander.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/danilynalexander
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/DaniLynAlexander

 How about a blurb on Anonymous and when will it be available?

What happens when an online date is not what it seems?

After Ali's heart is broken, she decides to try Anonymous, a new dating website where you can retain complete anonymity while you search for your soul mate. When she discovers Joe, she thinks she may have at least found a new friend and decides to put her past behind her and move on.

Several death threats and an attempt on her life force her back into contact with her soon-to-be ex, Mark, who is the lead detective on the case. The tension builds between them while Ali struggles to get over Mark, and Mark races to find the maniac who's trying to kill her.

When Ali meets up with her online flame, she finds he's anything but the friend she imagined…

Anonymous will release on April 17th.

Thank you for being my guest today and good luck with your new book, Dani-Lyn. I know I will be checking out Anonymous.  Comments or questions for Dani?
 

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