Diane J. Newton
Interviewed by Julie Obermiller

Author Diane J. Newton has some pretty scary things in her head. Luckily for mystery fans, she enjoys sharing them. "Paradigm," her current release, is the third to be published but it is by no means part of a series. "Unusual Destiny" introduces an intrepid reporter to a ghostly presence with a personal connection. "Children of the Sun" chronicles the coming together of special people, forewarned of doom, after solar flares devastates earth through its own technology. "Paradigm" introduces a four year old child with telekinetic powers, a doctor who wants to showcase him, sinister operatives who want to harness his powers and a mother who wants only to love him. The boy's disappearance from our dimension starts the unraveling of many secrets, lies and lives. The books are engrossing page-turners but quick reads. Newton fills a story with vivid details and fully fleshed-out characters but doesn't pad the pages with unnecessary fluff. Readers who enjoy clean, intelligent writing will like Newton's style.

As a founder and current contact person and publicist of the Authors Guild of WNY, Newton and fellow local authors showcase the Western New York writing community. Local charities benefit from proceeds of book signings, and Newton loves to interact with readers, and writers, on a personal level. An author advocate, she writes, edits and reviews for peers. Newton moderates 'publishingandpromoting,' an international group of authors, small presses, editors and publicists.

When not promoting local writers or signing her works for delighted fans, Newton makes her home in Lockport with her husband Robert. The author is currently working on two new books and a third, "Secrets, Fact or Fiction?" is a nine-author collaborative work which engages readers in an exciting, interactive contest. That book is due for release from Oxcart Press in April 2005.

"Paradigm," published by Aventine Press LLC, is available wherever books are sold. Ask for ISBN: 1-59330-245-2. At Newton's web site, purchasers of "Paradigm" can also enter a drawing for a free copy of "Secrets, Fact or Fiction?" Three winners will be drawn at an April book signing. Newton's personal web site also offers free, out of town shipping at www.hometown.aol.com/newtsplace.

Q. Do you write what you, as a reader, enjoy? What makes your own personal reading list?

Sure. I write what I'd want to read. I have to climb into the story, to become the omniscient observer, the chronicler of setting and the conduit into minds and hearts of our characters. That's a long and involved process. I'd lose interest writing about situations or people I didn't care for.

I'm a voracious reader of mystery and suspense, but I don't have one favorite author. There are too may I admire. Among the stars, I enjoy Robert B. Parker and Michael Connelly. Stephen White's Alan Gregory series always offer fresh stories. Patterson, Grisham and the usual BSL suspects make my lists. Do you have all day? This list could go on.

A few books have amazed me. Without Remorse by Tom Clancy made me fall in love with John Kelly, the stone cold killer and CIA operative Mr. Clark. Anne Rice made me care about night-crawling bloodsuckers with Interview With a Vampire. How'd she do that? I loved the mix of horror and humor in Fear Nothing and its sequel Seize the Night by Dean Koontz. The Stand and Salem's Lot by Stephen King and Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House scared the liver out of me.

Q. When writing a story, do you have a beginning, a plot and an end before you put it down, or does it evolve as you go?

Suspense demands a detailed road map. I love to layer plot lines and that complicates matters. To keep of track of who's doing what, where, to or for whom, when and why, takes careful pre-planning. I know exactly where I'm going and who is coming with me before I begin to write.

Once I hit upon the main premise and plot, character profiles suggest appropriate twists. Those elements are woven into a twenty- to thirty-page narrative synopsis. That keeps me on track. That said, when I'm at the keyboard, and in the moment, unplanned and interesting ideas always develop. If I like them, to make sure those mesh with the whole, the synopsis is revised before I move on.

Q. What finally made you start writing; at what stage of your life?

Ha-ha. I began weaving tales as soon as I was able to speak and put them to paper upon learning how. Writing was always a part of my life, but a new reality, rather than choice, determined my present path. Weakened disks in my spine ended a long career in business and almost took my life. After four years of near-immobility, a marvelous spinal specialist diagnosed and treated the problems. Combined with physical rehabilitation, I was soon back on my feet, but with limitations from nerve damage. That new reality led me into the one thing I knew I could still do well: writing. I dusted off the novels I'd begun over the years, immersed myself in learning the craft and the "biz" and, in the ten years since, have never looked back.

Q. How much of your life now is devoted to writing, promoting and working with the writing community?

My husband swears I put in an eighty-hour week, but let's just put it this way, my waking hours are full. Fortunately, I have an abundance of mental energy. I've formed or moderate local, national and international groups of authors, small press owners, publicists, editors and others involved in publishing. Writing well, and the attendant and continual study that involves, is only part of an author's job. Marketing and media management is a fact of life and the learning curve is steep. It only makes sense that working together, sharing skills, expertise, tips and contacts, a group can get farther faster than a lone wolf would by occasionally sniffing the winds of change. Our publishing landscape is evolving at an amazing rate. To stay abreast, a brain trust of cooperative players is requisite. Is it a lot of work? Yes, but I'm thrilled to be involved - right up to my ears.

Q. Your second book was the first published. Why was that?

I began a mystery series back in the mid-eighties, one that will launch this year, but Children of the Sun was the first book I finished, post-new reality. That is a book my readers love, but it isn't one a 'new' author could submit to editors. Due to the demands of the story, too many rules were broken. After years of study and gaining a modicum of book biz savvy, I realized I needed to write a book I could enter into competition, one meant for the editors and agents who would judge its merit. Working within a narrow set of guidelines, Unusual Destiny was born.

The book did its job. Submitted, the manuscript was a contender at Palmer & Dodge Agency for representation. It garnered a showcase listing at Authorlink and, in competition, won a Year 2000 New Author Award. After publication, it earned a rave review in competition at Writer's Digest. All of that served a purpose, establishing my credibility as an author. The book is still selling well and has recently gained attention from movie production companies.

I then rewrote a good deal of Children of the Sun, a tedious exercise, which I'll avoid at all costs in the future. It was published next.

Q. Each of the three books is distinctly different from the others. Are you trying to avoid being pigeonholed and predictable, or do you just turn your imagination loose?

I can't think of worse torture than writing formula fiction. Drudgery! I love to explore, to go where no else has gone.

Suspense is a wide-open genre and my main task is to bring surprises on nonstop, to keep my reader turning pages, breathless to know what's going to happen next. I can use headlines as I did with Children of the Sun, turn the muse loose as I did with Unusual Destiny or come across the intriguingly provocative bit of string theory math that inspired Paradigm as a main premise. I love that freedom.

Plunking distinctive characters into what is already going to be a wild ride is too much fun. As their personalities emerge, quirks, strengths and weaknesses scream for attention, each presenting additional twists and turns. I'll use whatever works and don't mind sticking my toe into medicine, politics, the paranormal or science fiction. Anything goes. Best of all, I get to make my readers think and wonder about that situation and those people. Faced with the unexpected, what would we do - collectively and as individuals? Would virtue govern or would baser instincts direct our behavior?

Q. Your characters invite involvement by the reader. Have fans asked for the return of Anna in "Unusual Destiny" or Bethany and the community from "Children of the Sun." Are they just simmering on a back burner or done?

Yes, readers tend to become invested in my characters and ask to see more of them. It's gratifying to know readers enjoyed my inventions. If you look through reader reviews at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, you'll see sequels are a recurring request. At present, I don't have plans for a sequel to Unusual Destiny, however characters from that novel made cameo appearances in Paradigm. You'll see much more of them when the Van & Brown Mysteries are launched. Private investigators Mari Brown and Sarge Van Horn, along with the handsome and mysterious ex- government spook, Francis Wildfeather and, Anna's best friend, intrepid reporter Tish Mulroney, will have their own book. Much of this is written and I hope to have it out this year.

There is a sequel planned for Children of the Sun. I wrote that book with Bethany's Brood, Children of the Sun II in mind. Fans picked right up on that, and have clamored for it from the get-go. I can't wait to get it on my keyboard.

Q. What's a typical writing day like for you?

It depends on what phase of book production I'm in. When writing, I'm 'in the zone' and begin my day by proofing the previous day's pages. It's a good way to pick up where I left off. After that, I'll compose, alternating between my PC and my laptop for four to six hours, usually until my brain is so darn tired my hair hurts. LOL

I move on to necessary tasks on line next, checking my groups first. New requests for membership take priority, but staying current by staying in contact with peers is a must, no matter what else I'm doing. Research into requests and opportunities offered only to me is also time consuming. I can't pass information on until I verify its veracity and weigh its worth.

With Paradigm just out and my anthology, "Secrets, Fact or Fiction?" due for release in April, I'm in PR mode. Review queries are going out, promotional materials are produced and media contacts need attention to insure coverage. That same holds true when I have an appearance or signing event planned. I'd rather write but, to get to an audience, marketing is necessary.

All this said, I do find time for my kids, grandchildren, friends and a good game of poker.

Q. Is editing harder than writing the actual novel, as some suggest? How hard is it to edit, and cut, your own work.

I abhor rewrites. Been there, done that. Boring! As a result, I am a careful writer. Working from a fleshed out synopsis keeps me on track. Using visualization (mentally stepping inside the story) to nail scene, setting and mood, I'll deliberate, trying to write every sentence as it should be the first time. As I said earlier, I do proof and revise the previous day's pages, making small changes, and will go through them once more before those pages go to another for a blooper check.

Kathy Strelow, a talented rock and roll mystery writer from Illinois, has an eagle eye and can spot my missing 'to' or errant 'a' from forty paces. We found one another through a critique group and have since partnered, regularly proofing each other's work. I have no idea why we mesh so well… Serendipity? Whatever. I'll take it.

As a result of all that, the only editing I do is for others whose work I respect and admire. That's a joy, not a job.

Q. You are very involved in your local writing community and spend a lot of time encouraging and assisting budding authors. How does that help you?

Those are two entirely different things. Western New York has a vibrant, talented pool of veteran and new writers, many of them friends. Other than the journalists among them, most were unrecognized. By organizing them, getting them out into our community, I'm doing my best to change that. The Authors Guild of WNY is made up of authors and small press owners. I formed it as a public service group. We use our published works to raise funds for civic and charitable organizations through showcase appearances and book signings. The admission policy is stringent, assuring our audiences will be entertained and made aware of the talented authors who may live next door or around the corner.

As a responsible member of my community, that's my obligation, a contribution to its enrichment.

Helping new authors has no upside for me except satisfaction. I vividly remember the loneliness and insecurity of starting out. Now that I have a few miles and a bit of experience behind me, it's a kick to encourage those with talent or a worthy story to tell. If I can point them in the right direction or hit upon a few magic words to encourage them to take that next scary step, I sleep well knowing some night soon, another star will shine.

Q. Do you write with "the movie version" in mind? Which of your three published works would make the best flick?

Writer's Digest described Unusual Destiny as cinematic and further commented on its visual nature, but all my books are like that. I think it comes from the way I write, the 'in the moment' thing that takes my mind's eye into the action. The reader sees what I see. That's cool.

Which would make the best flick? For small budget films, Unusual Destiny or Paradigm. With a few bucks for a larger cast and some fancy camera work, Children of the Sun could knock a few socks off. Handprint Entertainment in L.A. and Fat Frame Productions in NYC have asked for and received copies. We'll see.

Q. What's your opinion of the current mystery/suspense offerings? Do new writers have a chance to break the ranks of prolific best-selling authors? Do you think "brand name buyers" are reluctant to "go generic?" Does that make it tough for new authors?

There aren't enough. I respect the stars, but I personally know authors whose work is as compelling. As far as a mid-list author breaking out, that's tough to do when forced to write formula fiction for a 'new line.' Decisions regarding what you'll see on bookstore shelves two years down road are made in corporate boardrooms now, not by kindly editors who recognize talent and encourage creativity. That's a shame. Modern audiences demand fresh, unique material.

I'll be honest. I have a foot in both the traditional and independent world of publishing and I prefer indie. Its community has no international borders or predetermined limits and is populated by talented people brimming with innovative ideas. Cutting-edge literature is thriving there. I find interacting in that arena energizing. The cream is rising to the top and being unnoticed. Authors are gaining a foothold and attracting a worldwide following. Any storyteller who's willing to learn the craft has a shot there simply because true talent is free of constraint. I'm thrilled to be part of it and can't wait to see what happens next.

Q. When a book is finally written, edited and printed, the hard work is just beginning; don't you agree? Do you have any final cautions or advice for the hopeful beginner?

The hard work begins before the book is printed and that's true of traditionally or self-published books. Marketing plans are necessary. From pre-release reviews to media management, to post-release signings, an author needs to know what to do when and how to go about those tasks in an efficient manner.

My advice to an aspiring author, or one who's written good books only to watch them languish in uncaring hands, is to get busy. Start by having your work evaluated by the toughest professional critics you can find. Enter it in competition and pay attention to feedback. If a weakness is identified, address it head on until you overcome it. Do not write to your strength. Write to that weakness until you kill it.

Seek peers who've learned the business end of selling your product. Marketing and promotion are necessary evils. There is no way to avoid them. You spent years of study learning how to write a book, but what your professor didn't tell you is that it's going to take just as long to master the art of sales.

If you're determined to place your work with a traditional publisher, you'll first need to sell it to a competent literary agency. Learn how before you query and beware. Sharks abound in those waters. Consult peers, predator lists, check bona fides and question former and present clients carefully.

For those who plan to self-publish, get ready for an equally bumpy ride. POD, subsidy and vanity presses are vastly different. Learn why before you jump in the pool. Within those categories, there are inefficient minnows and big, voracious orcas that will empty your wallet right before they eat your ego whole. Research, compare contracts and consult groups where experienced peers post.