AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Dana K. Ray
Tell us about your latest book.
A Second Chance is a gutsy, real to life story about living with your past mistakes and learning to forgive others and yourself.
Tell us a little about some of the others who contributed to your book, such as cover designer or editor.
My critique partners are the people I’d have to give the biggest thanks to! They helped in the editing process before it was submitted to the publisher.
Who are your favorite authors?
There are so many and from so many genres. I love Janet Evanovich, Nora Roberts, Stephan King, Nicholas Sparks, and Jane Austin.
What advice do you have for other writers?
Write and keep writing. So many people say they can write a book but few sit down and complete one, so don’t give up!
What's the best thing about being a writer?
It’s fun! Creating characters and seeing where they take the story. There is nothing greater than to pour your heart and soul into a book and have others love it just as much as you do.
What’s the hardest thing about being a writer?
Rejection. Nothing worse than pouring your heart and soul into a book and others hating it.
Where can people find out more about you and your writing?
My website https://www.danakray.com or my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/danakray/
How long did it take you to write your book?
I wrote the first draft of A Second Chance in about ten months but it took years to become the book it is today. I had to learn what point of view was and how to self-edit. During those years, I was also raising four kids and working full time.
Did you learn anything from writing your book that was unexpected?
That I’m very insecure. I’m a people pleaser and I want everyone to love my book.
Where can a reader purchase your book?
Amazon, danakray.com, B & N, or eLectiopublishing.com
What are you doing to market the book?
Word of mouth, Facebook, blog tours and blitz’s. I’ve had a book release party in my home town and have signed up for a couple of festivals in the fall. I also am one of those who will leave bookmarks and business cards of my book everywhere.
What inspires you?
The outdoors and listening to music. Both will put me in the writing zone.
How do you research your books?
I sit down and write. When I need research, I Google and ask people who are experts in the field. They are always willing to give you advice for a book.
Do you have another work in progress? Tell us about it.
Absolution, the first in the Luciano series, follows the journey of two brothers seeking freedom from the sins of their past. Antony and Sonny Luciano are Italian in every sense of the word. Their tempers are swift but short lived and nobody can extract their allegiance like their family and the women they love.
Have you written other books? Where can readers purchase them?
Yes. Absolution will be coming out in July of 2017. You can sign up for newsletters on my website, http://www.danakray.com , or my facebook author page, and I’ll keep you updated. You will be able to purchase on Amazon, my website, B & N, and eLectioPublishing.com
What are your thoughts on self-publishing verses traditional publishing?
You can go with either. A published friend of mine has first two books published traditionally and her last three self. Both have pros and cons. I chose traditional because I have four kids and work full time. They provided cover art, editing, and some marketing, but that doesn’t mean I’d never self-publish.
Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
God gave me the movies in my head and knew I wanted to write them down someday. Before computers, I think I was just lazy. Hand writing or typing on a type writer, whew. I can’t imagine! So I journaled and jotted down thoughts. It wasn’t until I got my first computer I started writing the novels down.
Does your family support you in your writing career? How?
The do support my writing by encouraging me to continue on with my dream no matter what. They also know I love Starbucks Mocha’s and Diet Coke, so they keep me supplied when I’m in the zone.
What are you currently reading?
I have Nora Roberts Stars of Fortune downloaded on my Kindle ready to read. I’ve just finished Linda Robinson’s Faith and Family Series: Natalie’s Choices, Natalie’s Commitments and Natalie’s Consequences, Bethel Manor by Beatrice Fishback and Singapore Secrets by Irene Oronato.
When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
When I’m not writing or working, I’m hanging out with my husband and kids. We like to go to the lake or hang out at the house.
Buy Links:
Amazon│Barnes & Noble
Tell us about your latest book.
A Second Chance is a gutsy, real to life story about living with your past mistakes and learning to forgive others and yourself.
Tell us a little about some of the others who contributed to your book, such as cover designer or editor.
My critique partners are the people I’d have to give the biggest thanks to! They helped in the editing process before it was submitted to the publisher.
Who are your favorite authors?
There are so many and from so many genres. I love Janet Evanovich, Nora Roberts, Stephan King, Nicholas Sparks, and Jane Austin.
What advice do you have for other writers?
Write and keep writing. So many people say they can write a book but few sit down and complete one, so don’t give up!
What's the best thing about being a writer?
It’s fun! Creating characters and seeing where they take the story. There is nothing greater than to pour your heart and soul into a book and have others love it just as much as you do.
What’s the hardest thing about being a writer?
Rejection. Nothing worse than pouring your heart and soul into a book and others hating it.
Where can people find out more about you and your writing?
My website https://www.danakray.com or my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/danakray/
How long did it take you to write your book?
I wrote the first draft of A Second Chance in about ten months but it took years to become the book it is today. I had to learn what point of view was and how to self-edit. During those years, I was also raising four kids and working full time.
Did you learn anything from writing your book that was unexpected?
That I’m very insecure. I’m a people pleaser and I want everyone to love my book.
Where can a reader purchase your book?
Amazon, danakray.com, B & N, or eLectiopublishing.com
What are you doing to market the book?
Word of mouth, Facebook, blog tours and blitz’s. I’ve had a book release party in my home town and have signed up for a couple of festivals in the fall. I also am one of those who will leave bookmarks and business cards of my book everywhere.
What inspires you?
The outdoors and listening to music. Both will put me in the writing zone.
How do you research your books?
I sit down and write. When I need research, I Google and ask people who are experts in the field. They are always willing to give you advice for a book.
Do you have another work in progress? Tell us about it.
Absolution, the first in the Luciano series, follows the journey of two brothers seeking freedom from the sins of their past. Antony and Sonny Luciano are Italian in every sense of the word. Their tempers are swift but short lived and nobody can extract their allegiance like their family and the women they love.
Have you written other books? Where can readers purchase them?
Yes. Absolution will be coming out in July of 2017. You can sign up for newsletters on my website, http://www.danakray.com , or my facebook author page, and I’ll keep you updated. You will be able to purchase on Amazon, my website, B & N, and eLectioPublishing.com
What are your thoughts on self-publishing verses traditional publishing?
You can go with either. A published friend of mine has first two books published traditionally and her last three self. Both have pros and cons. I chose traditional because I have four kids and work full time. They provided cover art, editing, and some marketing, but that doesn’t mean I’d never self-publish.
Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
God gave me the movies in my head and knew I wanted to write them down someday. Before computers, I think I was just lazy. Hand writing or typing on a type writer, whew. I can’t imagine! So I journaled and jotted down thoughts. It wasn’t until I got my first computer I started writing the novels down.
Does your family support you in your writing career? How?
The do support my writing by encouraging me to continue on with my dream no matter what. They also know I love Starbucks Mocha’s and Diet Coke, so they keep me supplied when I’m in the zone.
What are you currently reading?
I have Nora Roberts Stars of Fortune downloaded on my Kindle ready to read. I’ve just finished Linda Robinson’s Faith and Family Series: Natalie’s Choices, Natalie’s Commitments and Natalie’s Consequences, Bethel Manor by Beatrice Fishback and Singapore Secrets by Irene Oronato.
When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?
When I’m not writing or working, I’m hanging out with my husband and kids. We like to go to the lake or hang out at the house.
Buy Links:
Amazon│Barnes & Noble
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A past she can’t forget…
Raven will do just about anything to forget a horrific event from the past that still haunts her. Forced to attend church because of a promise she made at a party, she is immediately attracted to the young, handsome preacher but is unconvinced of his promises of a better life.
A future he refuses to accept…
Matthew has everything planned out until Raven walks into his church and turns his life upside down. Repulsed by her lifestyle, yet fascinated by her beauty and charm, he finds himself drawn to her by a force he can’t explain.
Raven and Mathew’s unlikely friendship leads them through escalating troubled waters that threaten to doom their growing relationship. Will they survive to learn valuable lessons of grace, forgiveness and love?
Add to Goodreads
Buy Links:
Amazon│Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Dana K. Ray has been writing gutsy, true to life stories since she became a teenager. She and her husband reside in the Midwest with their four children and four dogs. A Second Chance is her first published novel. Absolution, her second novel, will be released in July of 2017. It’s the first in the Luciano series.
Author Links:
Website│Twitter│Facebook│Goodreads
A past she can’t forget…
Raven will do just about anything to forget a horrific event from the past that still haunts her. Forced to attend church because of a promise she made at a party, she is immediately attracted to the young, handsome preacher but is unconvinced of his promises of a better life.
A future he refuses to accept…
Matthew has everything planned out until Raven walks into his church and turns his life upside down. Repulsed by her lifestyle, yet fascinated by her beauty and charm, he finds himself drawn to her by a force he can’t explain.
Raven and Mathew’s unlikely friendship leads them through escalating troubled waters that threaten to doom their growing relationship. Will they survive to learn valuable lessons of grace, forgiveness and love?
Add to Goodreads
Buy Links:
Amazon│Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Dana K. Ray has been writing gutsy, true to life stories since she became a teenager. She and her husband reside in the Midwest with their four children and four dogs. A Second Chance is her first published novel. Absolution, her second novel, will be released in July of 2017. It’s the first in the Luciano series.
Author Links:
Website│Twitter│Facebook│Goodreads
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