FEATURED AUTHOR: Donna Hill

Donna Hill began her writing career in 1987 with the short story "The Long Walk," Her first novel, Rooms of the Heart was published in 1990. Since that time she has more than 50 titles in print. Three of her novels were adapted for television. She has packaged and edited several anthologies, two of which were nominated for awards. She is the recipient of the first Trailblazer Award, the Zora Neale Hurston Award for literature among many others. Her novel Wicked Ways won Borders Best of Books for 2007.


Seduction and Lies

In Book 2 of The Ladies Cartel Series, Danielle Holloway is the newest member of the group. Her first assignment: infiltrate a ring of identity-theft criminals. With cool wit and seductive charm, Danielle uses her skills to piece together the clues, and she's shocked to discover that a cloud of guilt hover over her beau, the very sexy and charismatic Nick Mateo.

Listen to Donna talk about Seduction and Lies


What would you like readers to take away from your book?

I would hope that readers come away with the notion that in order to love anyone else and give yourself to them completely, you must love yourself first and foremost. Often to do that, it requires looking at places inside of yourself that you don't want to see and come to terms with them.

What is your favorite scene from your book?

The last scene, which I cannot, of course, reveal!

What did you learn while writing this book?

That writing a romance is still hard work!

What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
I wish that they would understand that writing is like any other craft, it takes practice and patience. You have to study and you have to read.

What is the best lesson you have learned from another writer?

I learned from Sandra Kitt years ago that editing isn't as awful as you think and it makes for a better book.

What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?

Making the transition from a romance author to a mainstream fiction author and having reviewers and readers accept that I could write other types of books.
How long does a novel typically take for you to complete?

Usually about 3 months. That's once I actually start writing and all of the pre-work has been completed.

What is something readers would be surprised you do?

My own laundry! LOL

What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?

Find a way to maintain and store the tons of reader addresses I'd gathered over the years. Invest my writing money wisely. Checked my earlier contracts for those movie rights.

How do you reach new readers?

Well, now it 's much easier than years ago with the internet. I use my blog, myspace, website and fanclub site. I do a newsletter, as well as virtual book tours. And I have my own weekly internet radio show on Sunday evenings. I'm on Facebook and I "Twitter" as well. LOL

If you could have dinner with 3 authors to talk with about their writing (living or deceased) who would you invite and why?

James Baldwin. I would want to ask him to what place did he go inside himself to bring his stories and characters to life. James Patterson. I want to sit down and pick his brain on marketing. He is a whiz. Toni Morrison. I'd really like her to tell me how she is able to use words the way she does.

Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?

Do your research and reading if you want to be a good writer. Don't think that a publisher or a publicist can make you famous!

Our theme for this month is Family Literacy, what do you do to promote literacy in your family?

Short of hitting my sixteen year old son overt the head with a book to get him to read.... I try to always keep plenty of books and magazines around, invite my kids to events, keep them abreast of what I'm doing. Hopefully it will encourage them to believe that this reading and writing thing is worthwhile. My son seems to be interested in the electronic readers and even said he "might" be more interested in reading if he had one. So, guess what his Xmas present is going to be!

How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

My email is writerdoh@aol.com, donnahill.com, dhfanclub.ning.com,

Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?

Anyone who picks up a copy of Seduction and Lies, available now... will get the first three chapters of Temptation and Lies in the back! Temptation and Lies hits bookstores in February 09.