Interview With Author Diana Donnelly
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a mortgage underwriter in my day job and have many years of experience in other areas of real estate. I have three children and 2 dogs. I write and publish nights and weekends. This is my first book and I am very excited to begin my journey into being a self-publisher.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is Essential Advice for Buying Your First Home and Navigating through the Mortgage Loan Process. The book was inspired by my oldest daughter. She is planning to buy her first home this year and wanted advice to help her understand what she should do and what to look out for along the way.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t do anything unusual but find it hard to stop once I get started.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love reading. Most of the books I read are horror or historical fiction romance. I love the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and all Stephen King books. I also enjoy self-help books like Hypnotherapy by Freddy Jacquin and Atomic Habits by James Clear
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on my second book to help people to understand credit, how it works and how to help you increase your score to help you obtain the best financing.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Most of my marketing for my books is on Facebook. This is all a new experience for me and so exciting and interesting to learn not only about publishing but also about marketing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing a book is an incredible experience and worth doing. You really have to enjoy it as there is a lot of time and hard work that gets put into not only the writing but the marketing of your book.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Sounds simple but many people are saying to remember to keep the main thing as the main thing. It is easy to start doing one topic and find something else you like and want to run off and work on that. It’s important to see things through and also to have a lot of patience as things take time to build momentum.
What are you reading now?
I would love to say I was reading something now but between my own books and working full-time, free time is hard to come by. I am waiting on the next book of the Outlander series to come out. I am sure I will find something before the end of the year as there is nothing better than opening up your book and relaxing for a few hours exploring another world.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on my book about credit and then plan to do one on selling your house. I also have people interested in multi-family homes and investing in homes so there are a lot of avenues to pursue.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
That is hard to narrow down but definitely the first Outlander book by Diana Gabaldon, The Stand by Stephen King, and Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan, and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
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