Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Diane Parkinson (Diane Scott Lewis) grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, joined the Navy at nineteen, married in Greece and raised two sons all over the world, including Puerto Rico and Guam. A member of the Historical Novel Society, she wrote book reviews for the Historical Novels Review. Diane worked from 2007 to 2010 as an on-line historical editor. She had her debut novel published in 2010.
She’s written and published ten historical novels, two short stories, and two children’s books between 2010 and 2018.
Diane lives with her husband in western Pennsylvania.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a time-travel called, Beyond the Fall. I’ve always wanted to write a time-travel, since I was a child watching big-budget historical movies. Most of my novels are set in the late eighteenth century, so I decided to buckle down and write about a modern woman who “slips” into that era.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’d say the most unusual habit is that I’m constantly sending myself emails when I’m away from home, with story ideas/changes/reminders. I used to carry around notebooks, but emails are so much quicker. I’ll be in church and have to slide out the phone when an idea strikes.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Philippa Gregory’s earlier works, Susanna Kearsley, Diana Gabaldon, and eighteenth century research books.
What are you working on now?
A American Revolution novel set in Pennsylvania, Her Vanquished Land. I tell the story from the viewpoint of the people who sided with the British, “Loyalists”. It was interesting to see how they coped with an unpopular and often deadly alliance.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a Tweet group for historical fiction. We post and everyone else that day who posts RTs your submission. My current publisher has an active Tweet group. I also post on Facebook groups, including my own fan page.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep perfecting your style, your skills; listen to positive feedback, but if many comment negatively on one issue (such as your dialogue is stiff and wooden) take heed, and fix it. Join critique groups.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t write for the current trend. Attend workshops, join critique groups.
What are you reading now?
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. I’m really enjoying it, and don’t want the story to end. I hear she’s writing a sequel.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting my time-travel, writing the sequel, and polishing my American Revolution novel.
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 is a difficult question. I think “How to Build a Boat” would be number one.
“Tales of the South Pacific” by James Michener. “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville, since it’s huge and I’ve never read it. “Bleak House” by Charles Dickens, another large book I’ve never read.
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