SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR: D A W N E P R O C H I L O
Before we get started talking about your books, tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? What is your occupation outside of writing?
I am a wife, a mother of three grown children and live in rural Michigan
I am currently a full time writer. I freelance for a local newspaper, write SEO and web content for various websites and am the Administrative Editor of the WM Review Connection and a Contributing editor for the WM Freelance Writers' website. I also contribute to five blogs weekly and coordinate blog tours for two romance blogs. All in all, I don't have time for another career.
Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?
It depends on who you ask. I have a select group of friends that I can let loose with and be myself but when it comes to career and a professional setting I'm very refined and introverted.
What are your favorite books to read?
I love suspense with a little bit of humor. Two examples are Janet Evanovich and Robert B. Parker. But of course, my heart lies with romance. I love that both authors add a humor to the story line and keep me guessing about what will happen next.
Aside from your successes in the writing industry, what in your life has given you the greatest sense of accomplishment?
My children. I've raised three of the most responsible young adults that any parent would be proud to call their own. My facebook page is full of family pictures and praises towards my children and their accomplishments.
You write in the erotica genre. How did you decide this was the best genre fit for you?
When I first really noticed erotic romance was when I was wrote my first sex scene in my novel Crape Myrtle. I was real hesitant to even write the scene. I actually finished the book but that one scene was left blank. I thought about the scene for months before I finally dove in head first and just let my mind wander and fill in the blanks.
Once I had the scene done I had my husband read it. He was impressed and I felt my confidence building. I started borrowing books from the library with heavy, sensual sex scenes and I developed a real love for the genre.
I write weekly erotic romance blogs so the thought of inviting readers into the bedroom with my characters in the scenes comes easier now.
When you’re painting an erotic scene in your novels, how do you keep your ideas fresh and different from what everyone else writes?
I find myself exploring the phrases and developing a better understanding of what readers thrive on. I will mix it up and test the phrases in my mind. Personally there are only so many phrases and words you can use but if you use them in the perfect place of the sentence or scene, it's yours...it's unique. I never repeat what I read and if I have it's never on purpose.
How many books have you written and how many of those are published?
Crape Myrtle July 2009
On Her Own- July 2009
Room 11- February 2011
Rachel's Desire- March 2011
When We Meet Again - May 2011
How much character and plot detailing do you plan out before you begin writing a novel, or are you a “pantser” (fly by the seat of your pants) ?
Definitely not a panster. I am an outliner. I need structure. I need an outline of each chapter, every detail of the character from personal and physical attributes to the minor characters and their role. I'm note saying once the outline is done that I follow it perfectly. I make changes daily sometimes. When I wrote Crape Myrtle I changed the outline at least two dozen times before it was published.
Prior to becoming a published author, how many rejections did you receive? How did you handle the rejections?
Well...I have shoe boxes full of rejections and an email folder filled with them too. Hundreds and hundreds if not thousands. This is a very tough market to break into. I learned how to perfect my query letter from those rejection letters and emails so they were a definite learning and teaching experience for me that I appreciate.
How and when do you write? Do you keep yourself on a schedule or do you work while the muse is with you?
My muse is my schedule. Writing is not a nine to five job. You write when the mood strikes, whether it's two in the morning or seven in the evening. I'm always jotting down possible story lines, character names and phrases that pop into my head at any given time.
Tell us about your new release coming out.
Room 11 is scheduled for release on February 2, 2011 and is about two classmates from high school who haven't seen each other in over two decades. Both are single and not really looking for a commitment, just fun and playful times...yes, including sex. It’s a friends with benefits story line. They meet up and both get more than they thought possible.
If you have many books already released, tell us which is your favorite and why.
My favorite is probably Crape Myrtle, my first release. I grew quite attached to the characters and based the hero and heroine on people I'm close with and admire. I know it sounds weird that I grew attached to the characters but that's something that happens when you spend five years developing them and actually seeing the world through their eyes.
If you could give one piece of advice to writers trying to get published, what would that advice be?
Be persistent. Accept every one of those rejection letters with the positive determination to continue. Taking advice and being critiqued is normal- you just need to know how to handle it, let it roll off your shoulders and continue on.
What's up next for you and your writing?
I'm currently working on two anthologies of short erotic romance stories. The theme for the first anthology is office or work place fantasies. The second is a genre mixture that I have never seen before- erotic old west. Mixing in a little sex with a lot of ranchers and cowboys from the 19th century through the early 1910's. I'm real excited about both of these anthologies and hope to have something available for publishing by early 2011.
Where can we read more about you and your work?
Both locations can lead readers to my other blogs and writing.
Thank you for being my spotlight author on TUESDAY TALKS. Best Wishes and Happy Holidays!
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