Friday, June 10, 2011

Up Close & Personal with DANI HARPER. Author of of the book Changeling Moon


Where do you call home? Sitka, an island town that was once the Russian capital of Alaska.

What is the name of your most recent book? Changeling Moon


Your story in 20 words or less? Zoey fights off a shapeshifter’s attack – but is the man who helped her just as dangerous?


If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say? I think they’d complain about some of the things I put them through and ask for better working conditions – including more sex and less danger. A couple of them would definitely ask for more lines. They think every story should be about them.


Is this book part of a series? Yes! Changeling Moon is the first book in my new series. Book Two, Changeling Dream, comes out at the end of this month. Book Three, Changeling Dawn, will be released in January. I’m working on Book Four right now.


Is your book in Print, ebook or both? Both


What books have most influenced your writing most and why?

My love affair with books started even before I could read. I credit my mom with taking an overactive toddler (me) to the library regularly and making sure there were plenty of books in the house. Once I learned to read, I couldn’t get enough – I read everything in sight.


But I always wanted to be the person who made the stories, and I had an imagination the size of a small country forever trying to get out (something that was a little rough on my teachers). Authors like Ray Bradbury and JRR Tolkien inspired me as a young teenager, and Stephen King was my idol for most of my adult life. It wasn’t until I ran across a Christine Feehan story that I clued in that genres could be combined – and I found myself hooked on paranormal romance!


And how long have you been writing? Depends if you count all the dog-eared notebooks that I scribbled in as a kid. When I was 10 years old, I was dead certain that I was a great storyteller, although my marks for “composition” didn’t agree, LOL. I gravitated to journalism later on and most of my career was spent writing for newspapers and magazines.

Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life? Not that I’m aware of, but I’ll bet that they’re made up of bits and pieces of memory and observation. I watch people a lot and I notice details automatically. Still, most of my characters seem to pop up fully formed. I usually “hear” dialogue first – it’s like suddenly overhearing a conversation. (Or in one case, an argument.) I even know their names!


Is there an Author that you would really like to meet? I’d certainly like to thank the ones who inspired me, like Stephen King for instance. Except then I’d probably die from nerves. I’d better write a note instead!


Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover? My kids got together and gave me a Kindle, which has been an absolute joy to use. (But secretly, with so many years spent going to our small town library as a kid, I love the smell and the feel of paper pages!)


Are you a self published (Indie) Author? No, but I admire and support those who are.


Have you ever read a book more than once? YES – I have a couple of shelves of favorites that are like dear friends, and I’m never, ever letting go of them! Books like Children of the Night by Dan Simmons, Sunshine by Robin McKinley, The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury, Watchers by Dean Koontz and the Three Sisters Island trilogy by Nora Roberts…. the list goes on…


Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version? The Da Vinci Code, definitely. And the Twilight Series so far (which surprised me). Nothing wrong with the original stories, just that they were much more powerful on film.


What book are you currently reading and in what format (electronic/paperback/hardcover)? I can never read just one book at a time. Right now it’s Lover Mine by JR Ward (paperback), River Marked by Patricia Briggs and Hunt the Moon by Karen Chance (ebook).


What book do you know that you will never read? Joy of Cooking. No. Just no.


Are there any new Authors that have grasped your interest and why? I’m discovering new authors daily on Facebook and other social media. There’s some incredible stuff out there, especially among the independently published stories ---- I think my motto as a reader is “So many books, so little time!”


Do you have any advice for other writers? Read. Read. And Read. That’s all. As a newspaper editor I had to interview journalism students for summer jobs. I was shocked at how many didn’t like to read, and wouldn’t dream of reading for fun. And it showed in their writing!


What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing? Give yourself permission to write crap. Yes, crap. Because you can FIX crap. A blank page can’t be fixed.


Patti says: that is great advice.


Do you write under a pen name? Yes and no – Dani Harper is my maiden name.


Cats or dogs? I admire cats from a distance because I’m allergic (snif). So I live with dogs – I have two pugs, Fiona and Toby, also known as “weapons of mass affection” who assist me in my writing endeavors. Really.


Where can your readers follow you?

My blog: http://waypastnormal.blogspot.com/

My facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dani-Harper-Fan-Page/174878995877026

My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1357414.Dani_Harper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Dani_Harper

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Dani-Harper/e/B004FD8RV2/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1307585269&sr=8-1


Editorial Reviews

What readers say:

"Hot sex, hotter action, and a story that won't turn you loose. It just doesn't get any better than CHANGELING MOON. Make room on the keeper shelf."
--Kate Douglas ~ Author of the Demon Slayer and Wolf Tales series

"Dani Harper breathes life into her characters."
--Coffee Time Romance

"I would love to read more of the Macleod clan!" --Fallen Angel Reviews

"Dani Harper's CHANGELING MOON is one of those rare stories that literally catches you with the first paragraph and never lets go."
--Kate Douglas, author of The Demonslayers and Wolf Tales series

Dani Harper breathes life into her characters.” -Coffee Time Romance

He roams the moonlit wilderness, his every sense and instinct on high alert. Changeling wolf Connor Macleod and his Pack have never feared anything-until the night human Zoey Tyler barely escapes a rogue werewolf’s vicious attack.

I would love to read more of the Macleod clan!” -Fallen Angel Reviews

As the full moon approaches, Zoey has no idea of the changes that are coming, and only Connor can show her what she is, and help her master the wildness inside. With her initiation into the Pack just days away and a terrifying predator on the loose, the tentative bonds of trust and tenderness are their only weapons against a force red in tooth, claw…and ultimate evil.

"Hot sex, hotter action, and a story that won’t turn you loose. It just doesn’t get any better...” -Kate Douglas


Dani Harper is a newspaper editor turned paranormal author. There isn't anything she likes better than exploring the supernatural - unless it's writing romance. Of course, all of her stories have at least one foot in the netherworld...

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me and allowing us a glimpse into your writing word. I hope you share this interview with your friends so we can all get to know you a little better. Patti



I Interview Authors for my blog - leave request in comments box.


If you would like to be featured on this blog, all you have to do is make a request in the comments box below and include your email. Your email will remain private.

Next. Make sure you follow this blog so that you can see when your Interview and book promotion has been posted.

Your interview will usually be posted within 2 - 5 days. (Indie Authors get first preference)

Patti Roberts - Author

Paradox - The Angels Are Here

2 comments:

  1. love this interview and i love Dani Harper thanks so much for sharing with us

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is great Lindsay. Which one was you favorite book? Patti

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...