Ask the Author: Daniel de Lorne
Answered Questions (5)
Daniel de Lorne
Set the Stage comes out on 27 July 2020 in ebook and about a week later as part of One from the Heart, a three-book printed anthology with Nikki Logan (Tread the Boards) and Fiona Greene (Take a Bow).
Set in the fictional town of Brachen in New South Wales, Australia, the series centres around the Rivervue Community Theatre and its final play, written by the Banksy-like ‘Draven’.
So where did this idea come from?
In 2018 at the Romance Writers of Australia conference I was sitting at breakfast with Nikki Logan. The day before we’d been at a day’s workshop put together by Harlequin Australia, in which one of their staff members was touted as a theatre geek.
Over breakfast, Nikki asked where were all the romance books for theatre geeks as there must be a decent intersection between those two interests. Neither of us could bring any to mind so we decided to make our own.
Armed with a few pairing ideas, I spoke to the managing editor Escape Publishing about the idea and received an enthusiastic response for a more fully realised pitch.
We brought Fiona Greene in on the idea and came up with the idea of a phantom-esque playwright bestowing a much sought after play upon a struggling community theatre.
We discussed potential plots and submitted the ideas for consideration, and were thrilled that we were given the go ahead to proceed.
We set to work.
While writing is generally a solitary affair, there was a lot of discussion via Skype, email and OneNote as we created the town, the play, the characters, the conflicts and the timelines.
What did the artsy town of Brachen look like? Who were its weirdos? What were its secrets?
And, specific to my characters, what past hurts do wannabe fashion designer Gabriel and redheaded stage manager Bruce Clifton hold for each other?
The collaborative part of pulling this series together was my favourite aspect of the project, helped by a friendship that we already shared, and I think that comes through in the three stories.
We submitted the books in April 2019 and Harlequin accepted them in August, with publication set for July/August 2020.
And now, we await the reviews!
Set in the fictional town of Brachen in New South Wales, Australia, the series centres around the Rivervue Community Theatre and its final play, written by the Banksy-like ‘Draven’.
So where did this idea come from?
In 2018 at the Romance Writers of Australia conference I was sitting at breakfast with Nikki Logan. The day before we’d been at a day’s workshop put together by Harlequin Australia, in which one of their staff members was touted as a theatre geek.
Over breakfast, Nikki asked where were all the romance books for theatre geeks as there must be a decent intersection between those two interests. Neither of us could bring any to mind so we decided to make our own.
Armed with a few pairing ideas, I spoke to the managing editor Escape Publishing about the idea and received an enthusiastic response for a more fully realised pitch.
We brought Fiona Greene in on the idea and came up with the idea of a phantom-esque playwright bestowing a much sought after play upon a struggling community theatre.
We discussed potential plots and submitted the ideas for consideration, and were thrilled that we were given the go ahead to proceed.
We set to work.
While writing is generally a solitary affair, there was a lot of discussion via Skype, email and OneNote as we created the town, the play, the characters, the conflicts and the timelines.
What did the artsy town of Brachen look like? Who were its weirdos? What were its secrets?
And, specific to my characters, what past hurts do wannabe fashion designer Gabriel and redheaded stage manager Bruce Clifton hold for each other?
The collaborative part of pulling this series together was my favourite aspect of the project, helped by a friendship that we already shared, and I think that comes through in the three stories.
We submitted the books in April 2019 and Harlequin accepted them in August, with publication set for July/August 2020.
And now, we await the reviews!
Daniel de Lorne
Don't listen to every piece of advice you're given (except this one haha). What works for someone else might not work for you so take the time to find your best practice and what you enjoy. Read a lot, write a lot, rewrite a lot and don't be in a rush to publish.
Daniel de Lorne
Most days it's a struggle but I can't wait for inspiration to strike. I've recently learned that I need to plot so that helps me know what I'm writing each day and where the story's going. The fun comes in expanding on it and discovering the deeper story. I like hitting word counts and having writing streaks, and I love having written and seeing the finished product. I guess that inspires me to write the next one :)
Daniel de Lorne
I'm currently working on a post-apocalyptic paranormal series and have just finished a supplementary novella tentatively called The Heart and Soul of Ragnar the Red. Dystopian is probably not the best thing during these uncertain and harrowing times, but I'm sticking with it. Three of the books are written (though need revisions) and I have one novel left to write. Aiming to release in the second half of 2020. Stay tuned!
Daniel de Lorne
I try to head it off before writer's block gets there. I've found I'm actually a plotter rather than a pantser so, in general, I know what's going to happen next (with enough leeway to keep things interesting). This makes it easier to avoid writer's block.
I also write at roughly the same time every day and give myself 2-3 hours to get a minimum of 2000 words done. And when I find myself staring outside the window at the bird that's just landed on the bush, struggling to find a way into the scene, I go with the first thought that pops into my head and write it down. I can always go back and edit it later.
I also write at roughly the same time every day and give myself 2-3 hours to get a minimum of 2000 words done. And when I find myself staring outside the window at the bird that's just landed on the bush, struggling to find a way into the scene, I go with the first thought that pops into my head and write it down. I can always go back and edit it later.
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