Dianne, thanks so much for taking the time to answer a few questions for us.
.Do tell Dianne about Hot and Irresistible, the 2nd in your Savannah Sizzles Series.
In a nutshell is:
Four Southern gals
Four hot guys
One lost jewel
A splash of ghosts
A mix of voodoo
And a big dose of mystery
that brings them all together
I wrote this series because I love writing about best friends. Nothing is more special than sharing secrets with you bff. And I love a bit a mystery. Sexy alpha heroes are so much fun and Donovan McCabe is certainly one of those even if he is a Yank!
Why the South & Savannah in particular?
I love Savannah and all things Southern…the history, the food, the talk, the long hot nights made for falling in love. To write a book set in Savannah you have to go there and not just once. You need to experience the city in tourist season and when the locals get to reclaim it for their own. Those who live in Savannah love it. They fought long and hard to keep the big mansions, twenty-three squares and unique little shops from the wrecking ball and big box stores. It is the South. It is unique.
I have a bit of voodoo in my books and that too is a special aspect of Savannah. It’s not simply a tourist enticement but a part of the culture, not that all want to admit it but it’s a fact. Savannah is a character in Hot and Irresistible. It couldn’t be set in NY or LA.
Is there anything you need to get the creative juices flowing? Music or coffee, M&M’s maybe?
I always write in my office which I just redid. There’s room for my two cats to sleep next to the computer…just like they are now… and three windows for great light and nice views of the garden. I run a fan, the noise helps me concentrate. It gets me in the zone and I’m not really in Cincinnati any more but in Savannah or Texas on a ranch or where ever the book is set. The juices get flowing with fear that if I don’t get the book done on time the editor will have a cow. Fear is a great motivator. J
Do you have any rituals? Actors & musicians have them, some call them quirks. Like playing a certain song before going on stage…something like that?
I don’t have the luxury of rituals. I just get the job done and hope I tell a really good story for my readers. I want them to think the money they paid for my book is truly worth it. The publishing market is tight right now and I’m thrill to have books coming out.
Do your characters pop into your head full grown, so to speak, or do they develop over time?
They develop as I go along but if they aren’t talking even at the beginning I know it’s the wrong character or the wrong story. The characters have to fit the story and the story the characters. It is a marriage of ideas and when they all start to work together I know it’s right.
Do they ever annoy you?
It’s fun when the characters annoy me because then I know they’re up to no good and things are going to get interesting.
I don’t like stupid characters especially heroines. Only strong heroines, please! But that can get them into all kinds of trouble and it’s a blast!
Are you currently reading anything?
I’m reading the October releases for Silhouette Special Edition. Love the family tones and small towns. Always a good read.
And I’m catching up on Brothers and Sisters, my fav TV show along with Mad Men. Great writing in both. Terrific characters. I love these shows.
Thanks so much for coming Dianne, I’ve had a large time talking with you.
Thanks for having me, Ivy. It’s been great chatting with you.
I’d like to know if there are any Southern belles out there? Even though I live in Cincy I swear I was born on the wrong side of the Ohio River. I love Southern cooking. Paula Deen is my hero. I love sundresses and the big old Southern homes and the slow way of talking. I love sweet tea, gentlemen and I even know how to twirl a baton. Seriously!
So, are there any Southern belles out there? I’ll give away two signed copies of Hot and Bothered (the first book in the Savannah Sizzles series) from the answers.
Thanks, Ivy.
Hugs, Dianne Castell
DianneCastell@hotmail.com
Hi, Ivy!
Thanks for having me at Manic Readers. You have a terrific site. Nothing’s more fun than chatting about books with friends.
Thanks so much for coming Hon. I’m tickled to have you here!
Hi Diane! Really enjoyed the interview. I am a book-a-holic-REALLY! I am always searching for a new author to read, so I am excited! I also love the south-I think I should have been born there instead of cold Indiana. Happy Holidays!!
Great interview. It was just enough to peak my interest. I too love Savannah, and am looking forward to reading this series. Diane, I was born in Ridley Park, PA and my parents moved back to their hometown in Georgia when I was two years old. I have always said, “I might not have been born in the South, but I got here as quick as I could.” I wish you much success with your new book.
Hi, Barb!
Indiana…I’m Ohio. We’re neighbors.
The South has a culture all its own and I love it. If you ever get to Savannah you’d have a blast. Let me know and I’ll meet you there.
Thanks for chatting!
Hugs, Dianne
Hi, Dawn
Too cute.
Love the comment about getting back to the South as fast as you could!
Where do you live now? Do you have a fav Southern recipe for us?
Hugs, Dianne
I live in the cooouuuntry!!! Near Stapleton in Glascock County, about 35 miles SW of Augusta, GA. I will look for some good recipes for ya.
I am very interested in how Savannah is a character in the book. I have never been there, but would LOVE to go. It is on our “Bucket List.” Paula Deen is a staple in our house too!
Looks like a fun read! I’m in SC, and my daughter lives in Savannah so I hang there alot. It’s pea soup thick air is killer, but it’s so damn gorgeous ya just don’t care!
Thanks, Dawn, for the recipe. What is your fav dish??
Bet you’re having better weather where you are than here in Cincy. It’s freeeeezing and blowing like crazy.
Hi, Lucinda
If you like Paula Deen you will loooove Savannah. She not only has her restaurant there but her store and you can get T-shirts and autographed cookbooks and aprons, goodes to take home and bake etc. It is a neat place.
I love that you have a Bucket List too. Mine keeps getting longer and longer.
Savannah is a special place. Hope you get there soon. Take a ghost tour and eat at the Crab Shack. To die for!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi, Ellen.
Your daughter lives in Savannah! How neat!!
Yeah the humid air gets a bit much and the bugs are something else but I love that city. So much history and character and they kept it all!
SC is lovely too. Do you have pearls and a baton??
Hugs
Hey Dianne,
Misplaced southern girl here nothing better than a cup of hot chocolate and a good book.
Stuck in Michigan right now so books take me back to where i long to be.
I’ve always loved the pace of life in the south and of course the food. But I’m afraid the heat would be too much for me, I’d absolutely wilt.
Hi, Lois!
Hot chocolate sounds great. I think we all need a roadtrip to the sunny south. Keep warm.
Hugs
Hi, Sue.
August is the pits in Savannah. You swim through the air, it’s so humid. I try to look on is as a free perm as my hair gets sooo curly!
But April makes up for August. Savannah has two months of delightful spring. The whole city smells magnificent.
Great chatting with you all. You all are the best and Ivy is terrific. WHat a gal.
Sue, Lois, Ellen,Lucinda, Dawn, Barb…
send me your address at DianneCastell@hotmail.com and I’ll send you all copies of Hot and Bothered.
Hugs,
Hi Dianne. Thank you so much! I will send you my address and a good southern recipe. I have been trying to think of a good one to send.
I agree, Ivy is pretty terrific! I think she and I should make you an honorary Southern belle.
Thank You Dianne! That’s so sweet & kind of you! I’ve just had a large time chatting with you. You’re such fun honey. I’m sure they’ll all be getting w/ you soon.
You Take Care.
I second that….there is precedent dontcha know…How you feel ’bout that Dianne?
Hi Dianne!! thanks so much for being so generous- I know I will enjoy the book; and certainly look forward to reading the next two-KEEP WARM IN OHIO-THINK SOUTHERN HEAT!! Ivy is a hoot and just as southern as they get!!
Diane–
Thanks so much for the book that is GREAT! Very much appreciated.
I will keep your suggestions in mind for when we make it to Savannah (sooner rather than later I hope). Love the ghost tour idea. Almost did one those in New Orleans a few years back (pre-Katrina). The Crab Shack you say–wrote it down. Nothing much better in life than seafood in the South.
Cheers! Thanks again for the book.
Lucinda
Dianne just wanted to say thanks so very much
for the book cant wait.Need something to do in this miserable weather it was 12 degrees today.
Miss the south.I also miss Ivy (Inita).Well thanks again so looking forward to it.
Lois
Dianne thanks again! I sent you an email. I really enjoyed this post and everyone’s comments!