WWR: As a mother with a full time job who also happens to be the current President of SMRW, your local RWA chapter, how you find time to write? Is it difficult to balance these different aspects of your life?
Donna: I'm president??? When did this happen?? This is just like those ladies in SMRW, to put me in as prez when I least expect it! LOL. No, really, it isn't easy. I work about 40 minutes from my house. So, to get a better picture, think of it this way, I leave at 7:15am and get home around 6 pm. Then, on top of that, there's SMRW business, and I try to do some book signings and other marketing ventures. Is it tough to put it all together? I think if my son (Ben) were younger (he's 14) it would be harder. But, since he's that age, he doesn't really need his mommy, well, not like a younger child would. Also, I have to add this, my husband, Lynn is extremely supportive. If he weren't I wouldn't be able to do all that we do. He even took pictures at my home town signing. There are just times when I put my writing above everything. But, I can, because Lynn allows me by taking up the slack and Ben is at an age where he thinks it's cool his mom is a writer.
WWR: Your first book, Inadmissible: Love, pits one lawyer against another in an unusual custody battle. Where did you get the idea for your book?
Donna: Well, we (a bunch of oldies from SMRW) were on our way home from my first conference in 1998. One of the gals said, "Donna, you should write comedy." Now, people who know me will tell you I am an extremely serious person, so who knows where this came from. (Was that lightning that struck the computer?) But, I set out to write it and This Little Piggy Went To Court, went on to final in the first Laurie contest.
WWR: Can we look forward to seeing Joey (from Inadmissible: Love) again? What's the scoop on the possibility of a series?
Donna: It's funny you should ask! I have been contracted for a 4 book series, tentative titled, Tennessee: Love. It may change. But, Joey shows up in 3 more books. The release date for Found: Love, is February 2005. The others (in order) Diagnosis: Love, and Verdict: Love, will be announced. These are all starring Joey and are all connected by family and friends. Look for your favorites to come back and see everyone!
WWR: Do you like to hear from readers?
Donna: I adore to hear from readers. I hope everyone who reads this will email me at Donna@donnawrightsromance.com.
WWR: What (or who) inspired you to write romance fiction?
Donna: Since I fell in love with Robin on the old Batman series I thought every story should have a romance. I loved the Silhouette Romances when they first came out and read them voraciously. Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, all the big names were on there, and I had no idea they were big names, only that I loved reading. And, the happily ever after is a must for me. Even if it's not a romance.
WWR: Donna, we know you've worked hard to become a published author and have had to overcome some tough criticism of your writing style in the past. Now that you're published, do you feel you've been vindicated?
Donna: I guess, somewhat. I'm different and I know it. In fact, I sort of flourish in it. But, who cares what a contest judge wrote, because now I have a contract. Who cares what a critique partner said? I have a contract. You know what? Yeah, I AM vindicated!! LOL. No, not really. I don't really care. People are all different. Except one. I used to work for a medical office in town and I had that worst of all jobs. I turned people over to the collection agency and all that. I also was the person one talked to when mad or upset. Well, after a while, I began getting hate mail. Anonymous hate mail, I promise! I got 3 letters. I am very open and write a column (A Touch Of Life) for my local paper. So, people have always known me, without really knowing me. Anyway, it felt good when I recently had a huge article locally about my contracts, because then these people—who said horrible things about my writing—probably saw it. (By the way, join my email loop donnawrightsromance@yahoogroups.com, and you can see the article.)
WWR: Tell us about your journey to publication. How many years did you spend writing before you had your first sale?
Donna: Sheesh! Well, I started at 14. I wrote Donny Osmond love stories. Then, I graduated to just love stories. Then, I found a partner in 1987 and wrote a book. (It's really a great story with nothing technical right about it!) Then, we broke up the partnership (no hard feelings, just life) and I floundered around for about 10 more years and found RWA. That's when things started looking up. From 1997-2003. I got the call in October 2003 from Erin Cartwright-Niumata at Avalon. She's great, by the way.
WWR: So, how many books do you expect to have out this time next year? Please, give us the titles and dates of your upcoming releases, and if you can, tell us a little something about your current work in progress!
Donna: My 3rd one in this series could be out, but I expect it later in 2005, but I know #2 will be. WIP: Diagnosis: Love, Joey is being kept by his Uncle Alex who falls for the administrator of the hospital where he practices medicine. Joey is a hoot, as usual.
WWR: If you could give someone only one piece of advice about writing romance for publication, what would it be?
Donna: Please be careful. Writers are easy prey. Before you sign a contract, talk to someone who knows, whether another author or an attorney.
WWR: Thank you for spending time with our community!
