Heather D’Agostino is an avid reader turned Bestselling Author of the Contemporary Romance Series The Broken Series, The Shattered Series, The Second Chances Series, The Cook Brothers Series, and Romantic Suspense series The Witness Series.
She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics.
She currently lives in Central New York with her husband, two children, dog Luna, and two cats. When she’s not writing she can usually be found at the soccer field, track, or one of the many other places that she plays ‘Supermom’.
When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve been writing since I was a kid, but really didn’t get into it until about 12 years ago. I was a stay-at-home mom at the time, and really got into reading fanfiction. The more I read, the more I thought to myself “I could do this”.
One day, I sat down and started writing one. I received positive feedback on the site I posted it on, so I wrote more. By my 4th story, I had followers telling me that they’d buy it if they could.
I turned that fanfiction into a full-length novel. It was my debut novel, Unbreak Me.
Did you have any influencing writers growing up?
No, my mom was a stay-at-home mom, and my dad was an engineer. I was actually more interested in math and science as a kid.
I was talented in writing, but didn’t have a passion for it then.
Are any of your characters based on people in real life?
Yes, there are bits and pieces of people I know all throughout my books.
Virginia, in Walking Among the Cherry Trees, is based on my grandmother.
I have a new release coming out in August that is very closely based on my husband and I. It’s hard not to put a little of yourself and people you know in your books.
I was always told, “write what you know”.
Where do you draw your book inspirations from?
It varies. My family has a camp on Lake Ontario. I get a lot of ideas up there. There are no phones or cable TV. It’s easy to think.
Usually, my ideas come at odd times when I don’t expect them. I’ll hear a song on the radio when I’m driving, or I’ll have a dream about something that will trigger an idea.
The Ones He Left Behind came from talking with some close friends who are veterans.
Do you use have a basic outline when starting a new story or do you let the characters lead the way?
I’m a hardcore pantser. I keep a notebook of sorts where I write things down while I’m working, but nothing is planned. It’s more about keeping things straight.
If I name a place or a type of car that someone drives, I want to be able to remember it a week or two later. The notebook helps with that.
When you are picturing the characters in your book, do you have a cheater photo for inspiration?
I used to, but not anymore. When I first started, I would use celebrities as inspiration, now I just describe what I see in my head. I usually know what I want my character to look like before I even pick a cover model, then I go in search of what I already see.
Many people read as a form of escape and relaxation. What is your favorite way to sit back and relax?
I read when I have time. We have a boat, and I love to fish, so I do that when I need an escape, but with two teenagers at home I don’t really get to relax that often.
Who are your favorite current authors to read?
Too many to name. I love finding new people.
I’m currently reading a book by Heidi McLaughlin. I read pretty much everything she puts out.
I beta read for Skye Turner. I have a book shelf full of books I’ve read. Lately I just don’t really have time.
What are your favorite books by others?
Again, too many to name. LOL
Books I’ve read more than once… Love Unscripted, Remember When, The Perfect Game, Champagne Toast, Play With Me, The Vincent Boys, Forever My Girl… the list could go on forever.
Do the locations in the stories have any meaning to you?
Yes, I’ve been to all the places I write about that are real towns. I’ve made up some towns that are based on places I’ve lived.
Cherryville, from the Cook Brothers Series, is based on where I live now, Upstate NY.
Pittsford, the made up town in the Shattered series, if based on the town I grew up in in NC.
Do you write in single or multiple POV?
It depends on the story. When I first started writing, I wrote in 3rd person. The entire Second Chances series is in 3rd person.
I switched to 1st person after that. Most of my books are duel POV, but I have a few that are single POV. It really depends on the plot.
What do you find to be your best research tool?
Google. LOL I have several apps I use too.
I try to talk to friends too that have experience with whatever I’m looking for at the time.
I have two MMA books out. I have a friend who is an armature MMA fighter, he helped with those.
I have two friends who are former Marines, they helped with The Ones He Left Behind.
Do you write under a pen name? Also, do you write under more than one name?
H. D’Agostino is my pen name, but it’s my real name too.
What genre do you write and why is this your preference?
Contemporary romance, new adult romance, romantic suspense, military romance, and I just wrote a rom com.
I write romance to escape. We have enough bad stuff going on in the world, that an escape is sometimes needed.
Tell me something about yourself outside of writing. Jobs, accomplishments, family, quirky trait...what led to you being you?
I am originally from the south, and if you talk to me long enough, you can hear it.
I went to school for elementary education, and taught for 6 years before deciding to stay home with my kids.
I have two teens, a boy and a girl. My husband and I have been together just over 24 years, married for almost 21 of those. We met on spring break in college, and dated long distance for three years before getting married. I never thought we’d work, but here we are. LOL
If you are a duo writing team, how do you share the writing process?
NA, although I’d love to co-write with someone.
What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
Just do it. Sit down and write. Don’t think too much or over analyze it. That’s what beta readers are for.
How do you deal and process negative book reviews?
For the most part, I don’t read reviews. They are for other readers. I don’t expect everyone to like my books. If we were all the same, the world would be boring.
I write for me. Trying to please others can hinder the creative process.
What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Everything that comes after writing the book. Promotion, formatting, picking a cover, the list goes on.
I tell everyone that the writing part is the easy part, it’s everything else that’s hard.
What do you need in your writer’s space to keep you focused?
I’m obsessed with gummy bears. I always have a bag nearby, and snack on them when I write.
I work in my office, and it has to be quiet. I don’t deal well with distractions.
What is your naughty indulgence as you are writing?
Um, gummy bears. LOL I have a 3.5 pound bag on my desk now as I answer this.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose? And why?
I honestly don’t know. I guess before I started this writing journey, I probably would have a different answer, but now… I see authors as normal people. I’m good friends with several that would be considered popular, I guess.
What is your schedule like when you are writing? Do you have a favorite writing snack or drink?
I don’t really have a schedule. I set a goal of when I want to be finished and sending my draft to my publisher and I just shoot for that.
Some days I write a lot, and others not at all. I have to write when I’m inspired. If I force myself to work when I’m not feeling it, it shows in the story.
Do you listen to music when you write – what kind of music is your favorite?
Not when I’m writing, I need silence, but I do use music to inspire me.
I have playlists for all my books on Spotify. They are public, so anyone can find them and listen.
Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?
Yes. I have a 2.5-year-old black lab. She is pretty much my shadow. She’s sitting beside me right now. She usually hangs out right by my chair while work.
If I don’t pet her few minutes, she’ll head butt my arm to get my attention.
What is your kryptonite as a writer? What totally puts you off your game?
When I’m busy, and don’t have time to really sit down and get the words out. If I have other stuff going on, I sometimes lose my mojo. Then when I want to work, I can’t. I sit and stare at the blank screen.
Have you ever killed off a character that your readers loved?
Not yet. That’s not to say that it won’t happen in the future.
How do you celebrate after typing THE END?
A glass of wine, and I do nothing writing related until it comes back from my editor.
https://readingbydeb.blogspot.com/2022/06/author-at-glance-heather-dagostino.html
No comments:
Post a Comment