For me, one of the joys of being a writer is getting to meet other writers in the great big online writing community. Cyberspace is loaded with us, and provides a great avenue to connect with like minds. Or in this case, like potty-mouths. I stumbled across Diane's blog a while back, and have been laughing myself silly at her posts ever since.
Diane in her own words:
By profession, I'm a technical writer, computer geek, and ex-interior
designer. I'm good at two out of three of these things. I had the
sense to quit the one I sucked at.
To deal with my mid-life
crisis, I also write adventure novels featuring a middle-aged female
protagonist, Aydan Kelly. And I kickbox.
This seemed more
productive than indulging in more typical mid-life crisis activities
like getting a divorce, buying a Harley Crossbones, and cruising across
the country picking up men in sleazy bars. Especially since it's winter
most of the months of the year here.
It's much more comfortable
to sit at my computer. And heck, Harleys are expensive. Come to think
of it, so are beer and gasoline.
Oh, and I still love my husband. There's that. I'll stick with the writing.
Diane Henders
P.S.
If you want to know the truth about why Aydan Kelly looks like me,
visit my website at http://www.dianehenders.com, and click on the FAQ
link.
And here's a little about the first book in her series; i.e., the one that got me hooked:
Never Say Spy
Despite her penchant for weapons and ripe language, Aydan Kelly’s resumé
reads ‘bookkeeper’, not ‘badass’. She’s leaving the city to fulfill
her dream of rural tranquillity when she gets carjacked by a man who
shouldn’t exist. When RCMP officer John Kane kills her would-be
abductor, Aydan thinks her troubles are over. But Kane’s investigation
implicates her in an international espionage plot, and criminal charges
become the least of her worries when she’s targeted by the very spies
Kane suspects her of aiding. Pity her enemies. Because nobody’s tougher
than a middle-aged woman who wants her dream back. – Spicy suspense
served hard-boiled –
Okay, you can see why I read that first one. I mean, come on...a badass middle-aged woman? Those are rare to find in fiction! I had to investigate. I've since devoured all five books in the series. Honestly, they're like potato chips--I couldn't stop.
Which is why I wanted to share her with you guys. Here's the interview:
Hi Linda –
Thank you so much for letting me
come and play today. I’m a big fan of In A Fix and I love your blog, so I’m
pumped to be here!
1.
I couldn't help but notice—and admire!—Aydan's impressive
potty mouth. Where on Earth did you learn those words?
I wish I’d had Aydan’s Uncle
Roger to teach me the good stuff, but sadly, I had to learn it all on my own.
Let’s just say I had various
unsavory sources. And I’m a quick study
- my mind seems to naturally retain filth.
I can recite three obscene limericks about testicles without a moment’s hesitation,
but classic literary poetry? Yeah, not
so much.
I’d say I’m embarrassed to admit
that, but you’d know I was lying.
2.
There are five books so far in the Never Say Spy
series. Will there be more? (Your answer better be a resounding
"Yes!") Do you have a particular number of books in mind, or are you
just going to see how long Aydan will keep talking to you?
Yikes, threats! Lucky I’m working on Book 6 right now. It should be released in spring of 2013, and
I’m pretty sure there’s at least one more coming after that. I never intended to write a series, but every
time I think I’m writing the last book, the next one starts banging at my
mental doors.
I really have no idea how many
books there are going to be. I’m having
a blast writing them, so I guess I’ll just keep going as long as the voices
keep talking.
Everybody has voices in their
heads, right?
…Right…?
3.
Aydan, in her late(ish) forties, is a bit older than
many kick-ass heroines. Was it a conscious decision to go with that, or is that
just how she came to you?
Definitely a conscious
decision. I was having a major mid-life
crisis. Everywhere I looked, the media message
was that if you’re female and pushing 50, you’d better get out the Depends and
hope you have children to give meaning to your pathetic existence.
And I thought, “Give me a f***ing
break!” (Wait, can I say “f***ing” on your blog? If not, then what I really thought was, “Golly jeepers whiz, give me a break”.)
Anyway, I went looking for some
fiction featuring kick-ass, sexy 40+ women, and I found… nothing. Which is
preposterous. Middle age is when we
actually have the attitude and confidence to go out and find what we want and
kick ass if necessary to get it. So I
wrote what I wanted to read.
4.
Are Hellhound and Kane based on people in your real
life? If so, can you introduce them to me? *waggles eyebrows*
Oh, don’t I wish? I won’t say I’ve never encountered guys like
them, but Hellhound and Kane aren’t based on anyone currently in my real life. It’s probably a good thing - it might complicate
matters with Hubby…
5.
Aydan has some *cough* interesting clients in her
bookkeeping business. (I'm thinking of a certain "adult toy" shop.)
How much research went into your descriptions of the merchandise?
Bawdy Pillows and chocolate-scented
leather are mere fig-newtons of my imagination.
But if I ever find a four-foot-tall penis-shaped body pillow with an air
bladder in it, I’m gonna buy it just for laughs!
6.
I notice your publisher is listed as "PEBKAC
Publishing." I assume that means "Problem Exists Between Keyboard And
Chair." Brilliant! Can you tell us a little about your decision to go
this, um, "problematic" route on your publishing journey?
Oh, you’re good! PEBKAC is an old joke among help-desk geeks. Since my novels are generated by the
disturbed mind located between my keyboard and chair, it seemed a natural
choice.
I decided to self-publish for a
few reasons:
1)
I never intended to
write fiction at all. In fact I swore I
never would (that story’s on the FAQ page of my blog), so I wasn’t hugely invested in ‘getting
published’.
2)
I’m too impatient to
wait around for a legacy publisher to get my books out there.
3)
I’m a notorious
do-it-yourself-er.
I sent out exactly one query
letter and got rejected faster than humanly possible. Literally.
I got an automated email saying the agent was out of town and would
return on the 5th of the month.
On the 4th , I got my form-letter rejection.
That’s when I decided, “Screw
it, I don’t need this” and PEBKAC Publishing was born. My original plan was to gather a few smartass
indie authors under the PEBKAC label, but I’ve been too busy writing to do
that… yet. I had fun sketching the
mascot, though:
7.
You just released a new book with a title I wish I'd
thought of first: Probably Inappropriate.
You don't have to sell me on it, because I'll pounce on anything you write, but
how can we convince others to give it a go? Do you find bribery or threats more
effective in these situations?
Aw, thanks! Actually, I kinda discourage people from
buying it. It’s a selection of posts
from my blog, and they’re all up there for free except the first essay in the
book. And if you’re really serious about
getting that for free, you’ll find it in the “Look Inside The Book” feature on
Amazon.
I know, I know. I’m such a good salesperson. It’s just that I’d feel awful if somebody bought
the book expecting brand-new content. But
for bookaholics like me who’d rather read a book (or e-book) than scroll text online,
I give you… *drumroll please* ……“Probably Inappropriate”.
And I would never threaten anybody (in any way that would leave evidence). Bribery, on the other hand… well, hell
yeah!
Folks, leave a comment here on
Linda’s blog, and we’ll randomly choose someone to win a signed copy of either
“Probably Inappropriate” or “Never Say Spy” (the first novel in my series) – winner’s
choice. Thanks for reading!
[Aside from Linda: Since you can always go read Diane's blog for free I'd advise going with Never Say Spy. Because, yannoh, John Kane. And Hellhound. Just sayin'. ;)