Lovers of Paranormal discussion

One of the things your Fab-5 MODS try to do is figure out ways to help community members better understand and enjoy the books they read and the motivations which led somebody to sit down and write an entire book. This month, Lovers of Paranormal is privileged to have interviewed Dina Roberts, author of this month's INDIE PICK The Dead Are Online.



We hope you enjoy this interview and, if you're intrigued, why not hop over to the BOTM Book of the Month thread which is HERE: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

********************************************************************************

1. What books have most influenced your life?

I had a book very strongly influence my life. It was Alex the Life of a Child Alex: The Life of a Child about a young girl with Cystic Fibrosis. It led me to being involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and that eventually led to me finding my husband.


2. How do you develop your plots and characters?

It varies. For The Dead Are Online, I had the premise first. Then the settings came next. I wanted to write about places I've lived in or visited. It was kind of a way to revisit them. I love armchair traveling.

I came up with characters next. The problem? No plot! So I just started writing and hoped that something would happen. And it did. My dreams helped a lot. And also, a miscommunication with my son about the book's potential title led me to developing one of my main plot points. That was kind of funny.


3. Tell us about your Lovers of Paranormal book?

It takes place in our world….just one year in the future. Our dead loved ones have learned how to communicate with us online. So things like funerals have completely changed. The dearly departed is right there via Skype and FaceTime participating in the event.


4. We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration behind him or her?

My book has multiple protagonists, and I actually used myself as inspiration, so I probably wouldn't call them heroes (unless I'm in the mood to be a bit narcissistic).

It's kind of like I divided myself up into various personalities. I gave one character my love of singing; another character my vivid dreams, another character my insecurity about financial dependence, etc.


5. A good villain is hard to write. How did you get in touch with your inner villain? Was there a real-life inspiration for him/her/it?

My book really doesn't have villains, but it does have some characters with some difficult personality traits. I based these qualities on things that have hurt and annoyed me in real life. But while writing, I had an understanding that these characters are not too different from myself. I fear that if I was put in a similar situation (having wealth and power) I might act the same way.


6. What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the world building within your book?

The book takes place in our world, so I pretty much used that! There's a lot of references to pop culture, because I like a lot of that stuff.


7. What real-life science, pseudo-science, history, religion, or mythologies did you research for the paranormal aspect of your book?

I didn't do any paranormal research specifically for the book. Through the years, I've often been interested in metaphysical matters, especially the afterlife, dreams, and reincarnation. I've read a lot of books about those subject, so I drew on all those past readings.


8. What was the hardest part of writing this book?

Trying to find people to read it!

Oh! And one of the hardest thing was taking a break from reading to work on my own book. I like writing, but I love reading. I had to greatly reduce my reading time to work on my own book, and I missed it.


9. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

It's funny. The parts that I enjoyed writing most didn't end up being my favorites when reading. One of my favorite chapters to write was one that takes place in Darling Harbour, Australia. And I did enjoy reading it. I think it's fun, but it's not my favorite.

One of my favorite chapters to read is one with the wedding. I really loved that chapter, but I don't think I enjoyed writing it. It was emotionally exhausting. Actually, all of the chapters involving the future bride and groom were stressful for me.


10. Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?

Yes. I learned about divorce law in New York City. I probably learned other stuff as well, but can't think of it right now.


11. Is there a message in your novel that you hope readers will grasp?

Yes! Definitely. Though I don't know what that is yet. I hope someone smart will read it and tell me. After they do that, I have a bunch of dreams I need interpreting....


12. What are your future project(s)?

I might write a sequel to The Dead Are Online. There are so many hurdles though…such as what could I title it. The Dead Are Still Online?


13. If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?

I would want to work on the set of The Walking Dead … maybe a special effects assistant, or the one who goes to thrift store to find the zombie clothes.

I'd also love to be a musical supervisor for a TV show. I'm really into Australian music and wished I could introduce Americans to all the great Aussie music out there. So I'd sneak in a bunch of Aussie songs into the TV show soundtrack.


14. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to the Lovers of Paranormal community members?

Yes, thanks to anyone who reads my book, or at least considers reading my book. Thank to anyone who reads Indie authors. Most of us are so desperate for readers. It's wonderful that you're giving us a chance.

And thanks to all of you who have written books that I can read and enjoy....


*Interview with Dina Roberts granted to LoP on June 13, 2014

The BOTM Book of the Month discussion thread for The Dead Are Online is HERE:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...