Author Interview: Diana L. Smith

1. Paperback, hardback, audiobook? Pete the Pancake is available on Amazon in paperback, e-book, and free on KU!

2. Pick a genre, any genre! I am a fan of all genres! The different genres will hit the different notes in your head and heart.

3. What is the first book you remember reading? When I was a little girl, I always got a Nancy Drew book for Christmas. I loved them.

4. What book shaped your childhood most? Charlotte’s Web was very powerful for me.

5. When did you first start writing? In the 5th grade, we had to write a book for an assignment. I loved doing it and was asked to read it to the class!

6. What made you want to write? Does it still hold true? Pouring out your creative side on a piece of paper just feels good. I only did it for myself before, never thinking I would be published!

7. What book/poem are you most proud of creating? Pete the Pancake is my first. I am very proud of the message that it delivers to kids about acceptance for those that may look different.

8. Did you publish your first book or is it for your eyes only? Published!

9. How many books/collections have you published so far? Just 1 ……………. so far

10. What genres do you write in (or hope to)? I want to create a series of Pete but, totally want to try my hand at some comedy. Puns are my jam.

11. Do you do research for your writing or is it all in your head? Since it is fiction, it is all in my head.

12. To plan, or not to plan your plot? I think that I start with the plan of the overall message first.

13. What route of publishing have you chosen? Do you plan to stick with it? Self published. I think that I will stick with that for now. It was so much to learn (and still have a lot TO learn). It would be really cool to have a publisher though.

14. If you could live inside another author’s universe, which one would you pick? (Ex: Middle Earth, Narnia, etc.) I want a passport for all of them!

15. Do you currently have a WIP? Pete the Pancake – at the buffett.

16. Tell me about the character you’ve created who is dearest to your heart. Pete is the first pancake that never turns out perfect. He usually gets thrown away. But, a little girl sees that Pete is wonderfully different and thinks he is cool! Everyone deserves love and acceptance!

17. What do you consider your current magnum opus? Too soon to call. Pete is a good start but I have more to give.

18. Do you have a favourite romance in your books? Or, if yours features no romance, tell us about your favourite character friendship! So, Jennifer is the little girl in the story that saves Pete. Just because someone looks different is no reason to overlook them or discard them.

19. Do you listen to music as you write? Recommend a favourite writing song. Anything Beatles!

20. Do you have any character art for your books, whether by you or another artist? (Be sure to credit/link if you can!) Max Alnutt is my illustrator. He is amazing!

21. If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be? Give it a go! It is hard to describe the feeling when you actually hold in your hands a book that you created!

22. Have you entered any writer contests? Tell us about your experience! I have not entered any yet.

23. Who are your top 5-10 favourite writers? I am all over the place with that. Being on twitter, I am coming across new authors everyday!

24. Link us your book/twitter/goodreads or wherever we can best connect with you!