Daisy Banks writes sensual and spicy romance in the Historical, Paranormal and Fantasy genres. An obsessive writer Daisy is passionate about her stories. Her focus is to offer the best tale she can to readers. Daisy is married and she has two grown up sons. She lives with her husband in a converted chapel in Shropshire, England. Antiques and collecting entertain Daisy when she isn’t writing.
You can find Daisy Banks here:
Blog http://daisybanks.wordpress.com/
Website http://daisybanksnovels.yolasite.com/
Twitter @DaisyBanks12
Facebook http://on.fb.me/18iRC35
Pinterest http://bit.ly/16sF1XG
Amazon. amazon.com/author/daisybanks
Interview with Author Daisy Banks
How do you get an idea for your novel?
For this novel, the process was a little odd. I wrote the beginning of a story and after about four chapters, I looked at it and realized I needed to write what had happened before the events in the chapters I’d written for things to make sense. The story led me back to the events in A Perfect Match.
This tale is a step beyond my normal romance genres. It is a cross genre kind of mix, futuristic, with a splash of sci-fi, and some politics. Events push the characters on a journey of self-discovery and an exploration of their partnership. I like to think this book remains a love story throughout.
What is your writing style? Do you just sit down and write or do you create character sketches, outlines, or notes?
Most of my stories begin from pictures in my head. I see a scene happening, a bit like being at the cinema with the sound turned down. I don’t usually hear the words but the images are very clear. Usually they make me wonder how the individuals I see got into the situation I see them in, arguing or involved in some activity. Once I’ve seen the images, that’s when I can sit down and write.
A Perfect Match was a little different as I saw what comes next before I found the characters in the story. Once I could see the two lead characters, the story developed.
I rarely make notes, occasionally I will if something is very detailed or complicated. Usually I write until I am too tired to stop or the words won’t flow any more.
Next day, I will read what I’ve written and carry on from the point where I stopped before, though I don’t edit for things until well after that stage. Editing takes place once I’ve got to the end unless something is very troublesome and I might decide I’ve taken the wrong path with the story and rewrite from a previous point. I like to allow the characters to lead me. In the past, I’ve found when I go badly wrong, or the story dries up, it’s because I have tried to push the characters to a place they don’t want to be. Sometimes they will even tell me to watch what I’m setting up for them.
Who is the "Writing Muse" in your life? I.E. who gets your juices flowing when you are blocked?
If I am stuck on something or am in need of a bit of inspiration, I take a walk down by the river Severn that usually helps. I often listen to classical music when I am working. There isn’t a person who motivates me to write.
How many novels have you written including all work in progresses you are currently working on?
I have written nine or ten novels, two were learning pieces and remain something I may or may not look at again in the future. There are another two stories I might work on further to get them ready to submit to a publisher, or not.
I have six currently published works, three novels and three novellas. My latest book A Perfect Match, released with Taliesin Publishing is my first ninety thousand-word work. I have two new contracted novels with Lyrical Press one of which will be released later this year and the other next year. I am in the process of writing a historical romance with a big chunk of adventure. There is also a sensual piece I will be submitting to a publisher late this summer and a free read I am contributing to a collection.
Who is your "writing idol"? I.E. Who do you like and what is it about there writing that captures your soul?
I am a huge fan of Tolkien, all of it, everything, The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Silmarillion, Farmer Giles of Ham, Gawain and the Green Knight, and the adventures of Tom Bombadil. I love them all. I delight in losing myself to another world.
I enjoy many different types of stories from classical legends to murder mysteries. I a big fan of the fantasy genre and I enjoy all kinds of romance. Poetry remains an interest of mine and I find the work of Keats speaks to my soul. I think I have always been a romantic at heart.
What is you favorite plot line type?
Good overcomes evil. The brave of heart, spirit and mind, gain the rewards they deserve. True love wins out despite the odds. I enjoy all these in the many different ways they are treated by lots of different authors.
Is there any advice you can offer to anyone who would like to write?
Do it. Beware of your motivation. If you want to write primarily for financial gain, unless you are very lucky, you might be disappointed. Don’t give up your day job until you are truly financially secure.
Use critique partners and groups to help you polish your work, learn how the publishing industry works, and be prepared to deal with rejection.
In my humble opinion, the best way to become a writer is to write.
What is a good villain?
Ah, how I have struggled with this. I have had critique partners almost in tears, either laughing or crying at my attempts at a villain. Finally, when I did what a dear friend once told me to, ‘let it go, write it and let the chips fall where they may’, I got a villain down on the page. I loathe him, he disgusts me, he is unutterably vile, and there are times I am so sorry for him I could cry.
That’s the kind of villain I think people like to read, someone who has their reasons for behaving as they do. A villain must have a personality to be credible.
Thanks so much for the interview questions. I enjoyed them.
An Excerpt From: A Perfect Match by Daisy Banks
Published by Taliesin Publishing.
“Outrageous! It’s not possible. I’m sworn to the gods. He can’t do it.” Anwell babbled to her personal slave. “Raisa, are you certain? Is it a genuine warning?”
“Yes, I fear so, mistress. Before you retire tonight, you will receive a direct command from His Eminence, Lord Chardel. Not even the Mother of the Temple can gainsay such a decree.”
Anwell’s stomach churned. She shook her head until her long earrings rattled. This isn’t true. Her knees wilted and forced her to sit on the edge of her narrow bed. “I can’t think any of the Carnag would allow him to make such an edict.” She laced her fingers together as if in prayer. “Was there no one in the assembly who’d dispute on my behalf?”
Raisa’s eyes gleamed in the low light. The old Netherling sat beside her, clasped her hands, and squeezed hard. “You were not mentioned by name there. It would have made little difference if you had been. All of them are fearful they may lose their place. Lord Chardel becomes more erratic by the day. I’m afraid many will go along with any of his wishes, rather than risk his displeasure. You have no choice, my lady. You cannot refuse the explicit command of the leader of the Carnag. To do so might endanger your life. Your family may suffer, if they attempt to gainsay His Eminence.” Raisa’s dark gaze held hers. “You must obey.”
“But I’ve never even met Commander Varon. Everyone knows arranged marriages were prohibited years ago. They make a mockery of all the Temple encourages.”
“Mistress, it makes no difference.” Raisa spoke quick, so soft and low Anwell strained to hear. “His Eminence believes his views challenged by Commander Varon. There is a history to their relationship. Lord Chardel doesn’t trust the commander, and to defend his rule, he has gifted the hero of the Carnag a youthful, noble wife. You are the commander’s reward for the latest water discovery, and…” Raisa glanced toward the closed door. “You are meant to give the commander the early opportunity to breed with a true-blood Astan female.”
“Breed?” Her heart rhythm raced.
“Yes. You’ll no longer be a member of the Temple or under the charge of its rules of chastity.” Raisa leaned closer, her voice lower still. “I have heard whispers that in private, Lord Chardel is outraged Commander Varon boasts of breeding with his Netherling companion, and worse: the commander has openly encouraged other young members of the Carnag to do the same with theirs. So, to stem what might become a tide of rebellion, as well as counteract the thought of interbreeding, His Eminence is determined to prove Astan females are quite capable of successfully producing healthy offspring.”
“But you know it’s not true,” she said. “Despite all our prayers in the Temple, birthrates have declined to near naught in the last twenty years. Many Astan wives have tried and failed. Some have died in the process.”
Raisa nodded. “But remember, they are all far older than you. Any female who devotes the first twenty-five years of her adulthood to the Temple is bound to be less fertile than one who is in the flush of youth. I say it is only common sense, despite Astan ideals. Commander Varon has openly encouraged all the younger males in the Carnag to experiment with impregnating their pleasure slaves. He says many of the young Netherlings are intelligent therefore they are perfect breeding stock, as they are ready to reproduce early.”
Her icy fingers locked together and shook, along with the rest of her. “What if I don’t breed?”
“We’d better see you do.”
Desperate for divine intervention, she clutched the Temple amulet against her breast. “But I don’t want a child yet, not until my service to the Temple is fulfilled. My life is given to the gods! It is the law.”
A Perfect Match by Daisy Banks is available to buy here.
http://www.taliesinpublishing.com/
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