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Welcome
to our spotlight of DENISE CLARK and her work.
Below is an
interview I had with DENISE CLARK on AOL Instant Messenger. You
will be able to read about her and get to know a little about her through
this interview. At the bottom of the page is a book cover of
one of her books and a list of her books published and soon to be
published. Click the title to find a review of that book at Sime~gen, if one is available.
Lillian Caldwell: Hi!
Denise: Hi! Good morning, I'm glad we scheduled early,
there's suppose to be a black out later today.
Lillian Caldwell:That's no fun.
Denise: I know. It's been hot. I'm ready anytime you are.
Lillian Caldwell: What genres do you write?
Denise: I have two books that are historical fiction. One was released this
May, the other will be in the spring.
Lillian Caldwell: What
are the names of these two books?
Denise: The first is "Cross the Line", an historical action-romance set
during the First World War. The second is a 'prequel' of sorts,
that takes place during the Civil War. It's called a "Man's
War".
Lillian Caldwell: What genres do you like to write?
Denise: I'd like to do mystery, and I also would like to do some contemporary based
novels, but I like to incorporate war events into my stuff, so I lean
more towards the historical.
Lillian Caldwell: Where
do you like to get your ideas?
Denise: I have an idea about exploring Auschwitz and Jack the Ripper. Yes, I
like to base my fiction on true events. I get my ideas from
history. I'll think, what would it have been like to be there, at
that time...how would I react to such and such event. Sometimes, I
get my ideas from books and old newspapers as well.
Lillian Caldwell: Do you pattern your characters after any real people?
Denise: No,
not particularly. I like to combine certain traits I see in
others and transform them into my character's soul. To start
shaping a character, I sometimes recall a character I've seen in a movie
that I'll use as a 'template' of sorts, but my characters always end up
developing into completely different 'people' before the book is done.
Lillian Caldwell: What authors do you admire?
Denise: Oh boy, that's a toughie. I started with Louis L'Amour, then read a
Kathleen Woodiwiss. That's all it took to switch me to the romance
genre. But, I also like John Sanford, Jonathan Kellerman, Iris
Johansen and so many others. I tend to lean toward the
romance-suspense-murder thrillers at the moment.
Lillian Caldwell: What genres do you read?
Denise: I switch back and forth depending on my mood at any given moment. I
read everything, actually. I have a TBR pile that's more like a
mountain now. And, there's everything in that box, and I mean
everything. From the Dune trilogy to the latest 'hack-hack'.
Lillian Caldwell: What
other genres do you see yourself writing?
Denise: In the future, mystery, perhaps, and also a western or two. I grew up
reading westerns, so they're a part of my blood. And, I do enjoy
reading mysteries, and have written a rough plot of one...
Lillian Caldwell: What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
Denise: Is that like a 'reunion' question? Okay, here goes. In ten
years, I see myself as having attained a solid reader base with several
different genres published. It's a hard question to answer without
being egotistical. I mean, should I say I want to be as popular as
Stephen King????
Lillian Caldwell: Do you ever see yourself ever not writing?
Denise: No,
I will always write. I've been writing for 20 years, and only now
do I have my foot in the door. I think I would go crazy if I
didn't write, and while I may not write every single day, I can't go for
more than a couple without sitting at the computer.
Lillian Caldwell: What books do you have planned in the near future?
Denise: My next project will tackle World War II, I think. I have two ideas
there. One about Auschwitz and the other about the Waffen
SS. They're both roughed out, I just have to take my pick and
decide.
Lillian Caldwell: How
did you get started writing?
Denise: I started writing when I was 20. I knew someone who wrote, and I
thought, hey, I'd like to give that a try. And I found out how fun
and addicting it was...to be to create, shape and control characters is
a power we do not have in reality, and I found myself writing bigger and
bigger projects, and this was before computers...when one wrote either
on a typewriter (ugh) or on pad and paper...
Lillian Caldwell: When
is your next book due?
Denise: My
next, "A Man's War" is due for release in March of 2002.
Lillian Caldwell: Was
there any author or authors that helped you get your start in writing,
or helped you break into the field?
Denise: No,
not really. I learned through hard work and experience. I
also took writing classes when I could, and those were of tremendous
benefit. I read some of my 'old' stuff and cringe, but learning
the craft takes times.
Lillian Caldwell: What
do you feel makes your books unique or stand out from others in your
genre?
Denise: Well,
I think the time period from "Cross the Line" has certainly
not been fully explored. I've never read one that takes place
during that time frame except for "Farewell to Arms".
And, I think my heroines are a nice balance between 'warrior' like and
completely feminine, with emotions and dreams and goals which are
explored throughout the plot.
Lillian Caldwell: What made you choose the genres you write?
Denise: Plus, I think my books will appeal to the male gender of the species as
well. You know the old adage? Write what you read?
Well, I love history, and while my books are not 'romance' as much as
others of the genre, I like to create fictional characters out of their
own times, except that I put them in situations that are not typical or
considered 'proper'. Historical fiction allows me the literary
freedom to do that.
Lillian Caldwell: Do you have a special sub-genre?
Denise: No, not really.
Lillian Caldwell: Do
you have a favorite place you like to write?
Denise: Yes,
I like to write in my den at the computer. But I can take notes or
write small snippets of dialog, plots, or ideas anywhere, and if it's
nice outside, I like to do that as well.
Lillian Caldwell: In
what order do you like to write? For example starting beginning to
end, combining parts, in random order or in development cycle?
Denise: I
write the first draft beginning to end. Then I go back and try to
give both the hero and heroine equal time with POV. Then I go back
and flesh out their characters, edit, and rearrange. So literally,
I'm all over the place for a while. Yes, and then, I'm never
really content. I have to force myself to say 'no more'.
Leave it alone and ship it off.
Lillian Caldwell: Do
you feel that the e-books afford authors a bit more freedom of
expression in their books?
Denise: No, No more than the written word, except that I don't think they have to go
through the same editorial process as others who publish in the
traditional manner.
Lillian Caldwell: What
do you feel is, or isn't being done to promote authors?
Denise: Well,
speaking from my limited experience, not enough. And I know it's
not just me. I think the romance genre in particular is still a
genre that is scoffed at by many publishing houses to the degree that
the promotional budget is at the bottom of the list, with other genres
receiving much more attention.
Lillian Caldwell: Do
you feel that the marketing departments have their finger on the pulse
of the readers?
Denise: To
a certain extent, yes, I do. I wish there were more exposure in
the media for popular writers though. I'd like to hear more blurbs
on the radio, and some day, maybe even television exposure.
Lillian Caldwell: How
do you feel about review rating systems?
Denise:I
like them. I read them all, even if they have the most or the
least stars. How can we improve if someone is not specific enough
to tell us what we did wrong? Or how we lost our reader?
That's what I use the system. As for personal reading, I tend to
read what interests me, regardless of what rating it received.
Lillian Caldwell:Through
what venues do you feel most of your books are being sold?
Denise: Right
now, directly with the pub house, and soon the on-line stores.
Lillian Caldwell: What
do you feel is the best part of the publishing industry?
Denise: Seeing the book in print! Again, I have very limited experience, but I
enjoyed the entire process, even the proof reading!
Lillian Caldwell: What
do you feel needs to be changed about the industry?
Denise: Better
communication between authors and publishers. While I am new, I
think more open lines and faster response times between the two would be
of tremendous benefit to everyone.
Lillian Caldwell: Do
you think small press and e-books will be the wave of the future?
Denise: I
think the small presses are growing in number, and as for e-books,
probably. Personally, I would like to see our young people reading
real books, holding them and turning pages than sitting at a computer
reading. But, we're in the computer age now, and so it will become
more and more prevalent, I think. I've never read one, but I know
I will eventually, and like going from typewriter to computer, I'll
probably enjoy the transition as well.
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HISTORICAL INTERVIEW HOSTED BY LILLIAN CALDWELL
Sime~Gen(TM) is Copyrighted 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
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