Welcome special guest: author Danielle E. Gauwain

Today we have author Danielle E. Gauwain visiting. Usually found lost in her own imagination, Danielle, a native New Yorker, is an avid freelance writer of urban fantasy, paranormal romance and everything in between. She's inspired by New Wave Eighties music and all things gothic. Danielle resides in San Angelo, Texas with her husband and daughter, and when not busy writing stories in her journal, she spends her time as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.

So, Danielle, what inspired you to become a writer?
I live, I breathe, I write. I cannot say that anything inspired me to become a writer; I am an innate writer. I am compelled to write. If I didn’t, I would go insane. However, my creative process is charged by eighties new wave and eighties goth music.

When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
I was in high school. I can’t remember if I was a sophomore or junior. It was a ten page hand-written true story about how my Dad tried to chase down a Mylar balloon for me in our backyard that got carried away by the wind. I got an A!

How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
Too many to count, however I never tried to sell them. I wrote short stories, proses, and random thoughts or dreams that I would later turn into a story. They were all kept in journals and were more of a creative outlet. Bound is my first sold story.

What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
I write primarily urban fantasy and paranormal romances, which is also my favorite. It allows for an escape from the real world. I love stories with a dark undertone.

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
I can actually say that I have not ever received any bad advice. The best advice I ever received was that I couldn’t please everyone, and to write from my soul.

How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
When I was working on getting Bound published, I only shared my journey with a few people that are very close to me because I was so afraid of failure. Then, I learned that the only failure is lack of trying. Now, I celebrate with everyone, usually with a few glasses of wine. I dealt with rejections by reading about famous authors who were rejected many times. When a publisher finally gave them a shot, their novel turned out to be a pivotal piece of American literature. I love that.

In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
Liz Triest would be played by Christina Ricci. Isaac Ainsley would be played by Ryan Gosling.

The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
It’s part of a series. My characters go through a journey together, so a series was appropriate. Bound is the first book, and there will be three more to come.

*** Now for some fun info… ***
What’s your favorite color?
Purple

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate

Are you a morning person or night owl?
Morning person

*** About Danielle’s book/series… ***
I came up with the idea of my debut novel while rediscovering compilations of short stories and proses in journals, which I had written, ready to be boxed up and put in the attic. Inspired by my love for eighties new wave music, and Albany New York’s gothic architecture and rich history, the story of Bound was born.
Blurb:
Liz Triest just moved into a row house in an historic neighborhood of Albany, New York. After a break up with her fiancé of seven years, she is determined to make a fresh start, and most of all, never to fall in love again. But, even Liz’s self-protecting walls built from a broken heart are not strong enough to withstand the unrelenting force of the beautiful, mysterious, and supernatural Isaac Ainsley.
Danielle E. Gauwain leads us through a sensuous tale of love, obsession, and the struggle between fate and free will. A must read!

***Find Danielle here***
Friend her on Facebook
Learn more about her at her Website

Thank you for joining us here today, Danielle! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.