In the Author Spotlight

Deirdra Eden Coppel


AL: Hi Deirdra! Welcome to Blog Bites.

Deirdra: Hi! Thank you so much for inviting me.

AL: So, tell us what’s happening with you.

Deirdra: Well, this summer my hubby is being a stay at home dad so I can work on my books. I have a private office at a secret location. My goal is to get five books written by September. I have three done so ahead of schedule.

AL: Tell us about a current or upcoming release.

Deirdra: I just had an article accepted in an international magazine. It was fun getting that acceptance letter and signing the contract. I was also asked to be a presenter at a large writer’s conference next spring.

AL: What other works are you deep into?

Deirdra: I’m also a graphic designer, illustrator and writing coach. I’ve been presenting at workshops for writers and staying super busy with my illustrating and book cover business. My main project right now is getting those five books finished by summer’s end. Editing and querying take months, so I write another book while I’m waiting to hear back from editors and beta readers. I keep sending stuff out in waves to keep the progress flow constant.

AL: What is one glaringly/specific personality trait that you put into your hero/heroine that is all Deirdra? One that a family member or friend stops and says, “Hey, this is so you!"
Deirdra: She is a cat lover. LOL. My character is driven and determined. Hopefully that doesn’t sound too much like bragging, but I think all successful authors need to be driven and determined.

AL: How do you decide upon your settings? What about the names of characters? Do you ever change either mid-stream into a story?

Deirdra: My books are historical in nature. I usually research something in history until I find something that sparks a bunch of ‘what if’ questions. I research names and find out what they mean or pull something from history.

AL: What got you jumping feet first into writing fantasy?

Deirdra: Fantasy is a powerful way of teaching metaphors without being preachy. It was also one of the ways I escaped from reality when I was a child.

AL: It’s time to get personal! What’s your favorite comfort food?

Deirdra: Chocolate doughnuts, chocolate mint ice cream with hot fudge, cream puffs, Friday’s Brownie Obsession, strawberry cheesecake, carrot cake with extra frosting, ripe raspberries and black berries, truffles. Oh boy, you and your readers are going to think I’m a junkie. I hardly ever eat that stuff, really, I haven’t had a cavity in years. (knock-on-wood)

AL: What favorite movie; or T.V. show makes you hunker down on the sofa and settle in for the night?

Deirdra: Lately my family and I are watching old re-runs of ALF. I love a good Lord of the Rings and I get teary eyed while watching Princess Bride and Chronicles of Narnia.

AL: What is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

Deirdra: I jousted – yep, on horseback. I wasn’t even wearing armor. I also hunted down a few zombies in the mountains. I had a baby, that was pretty rough, but I got a cute little boy out of the deal. I’ve written nine books, how crazy is that?

AL: If you could go anywhere in the world and in any time…where would you go? What would you do? And why that time-period?

Deirdra: Okay, I fantasize about this all the time. I wish I had a huge semi-truck and can take it back in time when the pioneers were crossing the plains to give them all a lift.

AL: Can you share some of your plans for 2011 and beyond?

Deirdra: I’m getting an agent this year. I’m not sure who it is yet, but I’m getting one.

AL: Please share a favorite quote(s) with us.

Deirdra: “We are what we believe we are.” C.S. Lewis

AL: Thanks so much for sharing with us, Deirdra.

Deirdra: Thanks for a fun interview. You asked some really great questions.

AL: If you’d like to find out more about Deirdra please visit:

www.Knightess.com
http://www.astorybookworld.blogspot.com/