Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Books mean a lot to me. As a youngster, I saved up my allowance to get the next Nancy Drew. I love stepping into another world, even if that world is just next door. The death of my mother made me realize you can’t wait for someday to follow your dreams, and I began to write my own stories. I joined writing groups, attended conferences and seminars. After retirement from the “real” world, my first book was published. My 10th published novel, A PATRIOT’S LOVE, is a recent release and I have a contract for the follow up book. Most of my books are set in Maine and I’m currently working on another.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Patriot’s Love. I love the American Revolution time period. When I learned of battles that took place in Maine, I knew I had to write a book during that time. A Patriot’s Love is a time travel back to 1775.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Mostly that I have no habits. I write when I can, which isn’t always everyday. If I’m not physically writing, I’m thinking about what to write.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nora Roberts, Sharon Sala, Kathleen Brooks, Jana DeLeon, Robyn Carr, and too many more to list.
What are you working on now?
Most of my books are a series titled Men of Maine, dealing with a small town and the people living there. My current work in progress is two brothers and their cousin. Each will have his own story. I’m working on the cousin, who made his name as an investment banker, then crashed, losing everything including his wife.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My author page on Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/dianatobin
Or, my Facebook page: Di’s Maine Men
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Keep writing and reading.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Nora Roberts has said she can fix a bad page, not a blank one. To me, that means put something down, no matter how bad you think it is. Written words can be fixed.
What are you reading now?
Steve Berry’s The Emperor’s Tomb.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My next release will be Her Last Man, which is a follow up, of sorts, to A Patriot’s Love. It deals with the heroine from that story, along with her younger sister, and a murder in their small town.
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?
This self-quarantine with the Coronavirus feels a bit like a desert island, but we still have power so I’m good with my Kindle and all the books on there. No electricity on a desert island so I’d have to take one from each of my 4 favorite authors….and a ton of paper to write my own.