The short answer is I write what I like to read. Longer
version: All of my stories are romantic suspense. That is, they all have a love
story and the heroine/hero is in jeopardy. Some of my stories take place on
Earth and others in space. I’ve been fascinated by space travel ever since we
held our collective breaths as Alan Shepard was blasted into space. Once upon a
time, I knew the names of the first astronauts. But it was the movie Star Wars IV, A New Hope, that captured
my imagination and made me want to write my own space adventures.
How did you get
started as a writer?
When I was high school, my girlfriend and I wrote stories
set in our favorite television shows where we went on adventures with the
heroes and they fell in love with us. We were writing Fan Fiction and didn’t
know it. LOL Flash forward many, many years. My kids were in their last years
of high school and I was facing empty nest. Yay! Don’t get me wrong. I loved being
their cheering section and supporting their activities. But it was time for me.
I loved reading romances and decided to write my own. Those first stories are
better left hidden away.
How do you research
something like your stories set in space?
The internet. Movies—like Avatar, Oblivion, Star Trek—give
me so many ideas. Then I search the internet for whatever I need to know. But I
sure wish I could research by doing. I’d love to go into space. I know I won’t
get that chance, but maybe my grandchildren will.
What are your
personal favorite space adventure stories?
Linnea Sinclair is my go-to writer for space adventure. Hope’s Folly is my favorite because the
characters seem so real—an older, washed up (according to him) admiral and a
young woman who wishes she weighed twenty pounds less. Jayne Castle’s Harmony
series are fascinating. Both writers make me suspend belief and draw me into
their stories. Another writer I just discovered is Ann Aguirre. Her concept of
space travel is so different, fascinating.
Tell us a little
about your newest book, The Chameleon (An Outer Rim Novel: Book 2).
Socialite Jileena Winslott
appears to be the spoiled, bubble-headed daughter of an industrial magnate. In
reality, she’s her father's smart, savvy aide, who yearns to run the family
business. When her father sends her on a covert mission to the Outer Rim, she
has the chance to prove herself. But he insists she take along a fake
fiancé—the man she’s secretly loved for years.
Although this is the second book, it’s a stand alone. You
don’t need to read The Pilot first. This was part of a series. What gave you the original idea for the series?
During a trip from Michigan to Phoenix, I thought about how
brave and strong the early pioneer women had to be in order to survive. The
hardships they endured, many times alone. Then I thought the frontier of space
must be just as wild. What would women on the Outer Rim have to do to survive?
Those women gave rise to the Outer Rim Novels. The Chameleon is the
second book in the series.
What is your next
project?
I’m finishing the final touches on a book starring a female
private investigator in a fictional small resort town on Lake Michigan. The Case of the Bygone Brother will be
released in July.
What would you tell
beginning writers who might want to write space romances?
Write what you love to read. Science fiction romance is a
niche sub-genre. In fact, the designation isn’t even listed on the major
retailers. Every writer has to develop a thick skin. Even more so in sfr. Some
die hard sci-fi writers don’t like romance contaminating “true” sf. That’s why
I say if you really love sci-fi romance, do your research and write from your
heart.
How can readers reach
you or find you online?
Website: http://www.dianeburton.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dmburton72
Facebook: http://facebook.com/dianeburtonauthor
Goodreads: Diane Burton Author
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dmburton72/
The
Chameleon is available at:
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00K8GDN00
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/436631
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-chameleon-diane-burton/1119480831?ean=2940149208616
Thanks, Diane and good luck with your new book. Any comments or questions for Diane?
Thanks so much for having me here today, Rebecca. Best wishes to you, too.
ReplyDeleteLove the sound of your book, Diane. Can't wait to pick it up. I recall creating some space romances while young, too. My sci-fi introduction came between the pages of Asimov and Bradbury--thanks to my uncle's store of books LOL. Best of luck with this release! Barb Bettis--Tweeted
ReplyDeleteBarbara, thanks so much.
DeleteI absolutely love the tag line for this book! (I also love Jayne Castle but have never tried Ann Aguirre. I will now! )
ReplyDeleteTry Grimspace first. Fascinating type of space travel. Glad you like the tag line. :)
DeleteI love the cover and can't wait to read about what happens between the two main characters! :) All the best!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa. I absolutely love the cover. Our buddy Florence (Rebel Ink Designs) did it. Can't say enough good things about her work.
DeleteSorry I'm late stopping by. It's been a hectic day. :) I also love writing in a variety of genres. And, really, all my books are suspense, too, even the paranormal ones. I think I once wrote a blog post about how whether you think you read suspense or not, you read suspense. Because, you know, will the guy get the girl, or how will the guy get the girl, keep you in suspense, right? :) Even a cookbook can be suspenese. How will this recipe turn out... Anyway, didn't mean to babble. :) I'm so happy for all your success!
ReplyDelete