Ask the Author: Danielle Girard

“As usual, I'm late to the game (and to school pick up and any party I'm ever invited to, including the ones I'm hosting), but I'd LOVE to answer reader questions, if you've got them.” Danielle Girard

Answered Questions (15)

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just finished Expose and couldnt put it down--im sure youve been asked this already but possibly how long before book 4 will be available? thank you

Danielle Girard Janice,

Thanks for writing. I'm so glad you enjoyed EXPOSE. Book 4, EXPIRE, is out July 9, 2019 and is available for pre-order.

Take care and happy reading!
Danielle

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I just finished reading Expose and I don't think I can wait for the final book in the series. When will this book be ready?

Danielle Girard Hi, Melissa!! Book 4 is in the works and will be out next spring or early summer. I know! The wait is killing me too... but I promise it will be worth it!

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I've just read exhumed - brilliant!! First time I've read anything of yours, so, Should I read the rookie series first before I continue onto excise? Having just noticed a previous reader being confused with two characters whose name start with the same letter?...... didn't want to mess up reading order anymore than I have.

Danielle Girard Amy,

So glad you enjoyed Exhume. It's really your preference as to what to read next. I think I would read Excise, since you're already into the Schwartzman Series. The third book, Expose, isn't out until next July so you've got lots of time. :)

The Rookie Club Series is completely separate, although it does introduce Hal, so you'll get to see him with his partner, Hailey, and learn more about his history. Also, in book five, Everything to Lose, readers meet Schwartzman (but you already know her!) and it isn't a huge piece of that book, just a little side story.

Not sure if that helps but hope so!

Enjoy,
Danielle

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Finished both Exhume and Excise I was kind of surprised it was not gruesome or gory, I would like to ask will there be more ken in future books? How many books are you intend to write for this series? Will you consider more gruesome scenes in future books?

Danielle Girard Jade,

Thank you for your note. Right now, the Schwartzman series is planned for 4 books although there may be others. It will depend on how I feel when the 4th is completed (I have just finished the 3rd).

As for gore, I don't plan the specific level of violence in advance. It is all in what the book/characters/situation calls for.

Happy Reading!
Danielle

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Not really a question but......Just finished reading "Excise".....I am on the edge of my seat!! I do hope you are busy working on the next in the series?

Danielle Girard Jennifer,

I'm so glad you enjoyed Excise! And YES! EXPOSE will be released July 10th of next year and I'm already starting work on book 4, EXPIRE.

Thanks for following Schwartzman and Hal!

Happy Reading!
Danielle

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What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

Danielle Girard Ha! Well, I have to admit I've had a pretty dull existence (thankfully) when it comes to the kinds of life or death situations my characters face.

hmmmm.

Right now, the biggest mystery in my own life is what happened to the full mug of coffee? I swear, it was just sitting there and now it's empty. ;)

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I've been waiting for a strong female medical examiner series. This book is a great stepping stone to a series. This IS going to be a series ? Great read, Can't wait to see Anna in her next novel. Will she stay single ? I d wondered if you wanted her and Hailey to be a couple since her hubby may have ruined her for men. Oh the possibilities!

Danielle Girard Christine, great to hear from you! Thank you. Oooh, I've got so many great things planned for Anna. I'm working on book 3, EXPOSE, right now and book 2, EXCISE, is out August 22nd. Can't wait to hear what you think about how the series progresses. Keep me posted! Happy reading!

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Who is your favorite fictional couple, and why?

Danielle Girard Angie Gennaro and Patrick Kenzie from Dennis Lehane's series. They're both fiercely independent and in the same business, which adds real tension to their relationship. The way they interact--whether they're on or off and even when they got married and had their daughter--always felt real. It wasn't easy and it wasn't guaranteed. It was genuine.

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I absolutely loved Exhume. I left a 5 star review on amazon. I do advance reading for some author and wanted to give you my observations. First all the main police officers names begin with H. Hal and harper and Hailey. Too many H's , confusing. Also when anabella called the hospital to check on ken macy. There is no way a hospital will give out patient information over the phone without proper consent??

Danielle Girard Thank you, Wanda. So glad you enjoyed it! And thank you for the observations. Hal and Hailey are characters from the Rookie Club series.

As for the hospital, if they have a list of the people allowed to receive information (i.e. family), the nurse assigned to that individual is authorized to give out information. I understand the situation was a stretch... one of the joys of writing fiction is stretching the truth! ;)

Happy Reading!
Danielle

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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Danielle Girard Schwartzman began as a secondary character in the Rookie Club series. She had an impossible past, with a part of it that she could never quite escape from. By the time I'd finished the book where she was born (EVERYTHING TO LOSE, Rookie Club book #5), I knew she had to have her own book.

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How do you get inspired to write?

Danielle Girard I usually feel like I HAVE to write. The same way some people feel like they HAVE to exercise. (I'm not one of those.) I feel restless without it. As for what inspires a specific story, I usually have a character in mind with a certain backstory. And then I try to think about what would be the most challenging thing for her to face. I've been lucky with ideas. They normally show up when I need them. Knock wood.

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What are you currently working on?

Danielle Girard Yay! I'm so excited to be working on EXCISE, the second book in the Annabelle Schwartzman M.E. series. The first book, EXHUME, is out October 1st.

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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Danielle Girard Write. Write. Write. Nobody ever became a bestseller by thinking about writing or by quitting. Ever. Malcolm Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert. Start with that.

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What’s the best thing about being a writer?

Danielle Girard Going to work in my pajamas. Does everyone say that? Actually, everything about a writer suits me. I love being in the middle of a story. I love talking to my characters (usually not out loud because people stare). I enjoy being alone and in my own head. Not always but enough. I also love creating moments that are heart-pounding, even for me.

I remember working on one of my first books and I was in this intense chase scene and I heard sirens outside and my first thought was, "Oh, no. The police are coming!" Like they were on their way to arrest me. I literally jumped out of my chair. :)

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

Danielle Girard Writer's block happens to everyone. For me, that helps make it bearable. To cope, I pace, I stare out the window, I drive errands and think about the book. I try to find one little piece that I know will work and build from there. And a lot of times, I just stare at the *%$^ blinking cursor until something happens...

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