Ask the Author: Darcia Helle
Answered Questions (8)
Darcia Helle
Congratulations on publishing your first book, Shakti! I'm not clear on what type of support you're asking for. I don't write historical fiction.
Darcia Helle
That's a really difficult question. They're all my favorite in the moment! So, if I had to pick a favorite, I'd choose 'Out of the Darkness', since it's the newest and still taking up the most space in my mind.
While my favorites vary, the one I had the most fun writing will probably always be 'The Cutting Edge'. It's the only book I've written that draws heavily from my personal life. Writing it was a cathartic experience. :)
Thank you for the question and for connecting!
While my favorites vary, the one I had the most fun writing will probably always be 'The Cutting Edge'. It's the only book I've written that draws heavily from my personal life. Writing it was a cathartic experience. :)
Thank you for the question and for connecting!
Darcia Helle
Yes, that would be nice for a change!
Darcia Helle
Sorry I didn't see this question sooner! I am in a perpetual state of 'chronic behindness'.
Oh, my characters never line up neatly, and they never are polite in taking turns. That's where short story writing works well. I'm able to give some of the voices an outlet while working on a novel, without getting totally sidetracked onto a different novel. (Though that sometimes happens, as well!)
It gets a little crazy sometimes. But what would we do without all that noise in our heads, right? :)
Oh, my characters never line up neatly, and they never are polite in taking turns. That's where short story writing works well. I'm able to give some of the voices an outlet while working on a novel, without getting totally sidetracked onto a different novel. (Though that sometimes happens, as well!)
It gets a little crazy sometimes. But what would we do without all that noise in our heads, right? :)
Darcia Helle
Your questions aren't at all intrusive, Brian.
As for reading them cover to cover, for the most part, yes. If the book just does not hold my interest, but I'm committed to reading/reviewing it, I'll skim parts.
I'm a *bit* of a book hoarder. I have maybe 500 print books and I've read about 2/3 of them at this point. (I keep all the nonfiction but not fiction.) I don't know how many are on my Kindle, but an easy guess is well over 2,000. I have no self-control!
Obtaining them: That's a combination of things. Yes, I do buy a lot of them. Some of the Kindle books I get during authors' free promotions. I get two Kindle books per month free with my Amazon Prime account. I also review for Amazon Vine and NetGalley. This is where I get the advanced review copies.
Occasionally a publisher will contact me with a review request. I won't accept unless the book honestly intrigues me. I no longer accept requests directly from authors because that has put me in some uncomfortable positions in the past.
And there you have my methods for feeding my book obsession!
As for reading them cover to cover, for the most part, yes. If the book just does not hold my interest, but I'm committed to reading/reviewing it, I'll skim parts.
I'm a *bit* of a book hoarder. I have maybe 500 print books and I've read about 2/3 of them at this point. (I keep all the nonfiction but not fiction.) I don't know how many are on my Kindle, but an easy guess is well over 2,000. I have no self-control!
Obtaining them: That's a combination of things. Yes, I do buy a lot of them. Some of the Kindle books I get during authors' free promotions. I get two Kindle books per month free with my Amazon Prime account. I also review for Amazon Vine and NetGalley. This is where I get the advanced review copies.
Occasionally a publisher will contact me with a review request. I won't accept unless the book honestly intrigues me. I no longer accept requests directly from authors because that has put me in some uncomfortable positions in the past.
And there you have my methods for feeding my book obsession!
Darcia Helle
Ha! Now that made me giggle. I guess the answer depends on how we define naughty. If we're talking about the darkness of characters like Michael Sykora and his partner Sean Riley, then no, I'm definitely nowhere near that kind of naughty. Sean has no issues with torturing someone to get information he needs. I'm squeamish about killing a spider - and I truly despise spiders. (They're the embodiment of evil!)
Darcia Helle
Ah, yes! Seems like a lifetime ago that I took my kids there.
I miss "home" at times, though never in the winter. :)
I miss "home" at times, though never in the winter. :)
Darcia Helle
Great book title, Brian! Is it a book of quotes?
Attleboro - I am familiar with the zoo there from the days when my sons were young. I grew up in Bridgewater.
Attleboro - I am familiar with the zoo there from the days when my sons were young. I grew up in Bridgewater.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more