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[ID: A blue DNA background with the title TRANSLUCENT at the top and coming May 13th 2025 just below the title The except reads:
“What do you want to ask, Jonah? I can see you edging around something,” she said, her lips a thin line.
I sighed. “Lumi gave Jackson a knife, they obviously both planned for the possibility of violence. I get there was no choice, but I don't like that we didn't know that was the plan,” I said, looking down at my bare leg, which had started to throb a little.
“Lumi probably saved our lives,” Delia said sharply.
At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]
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I'm happy to welcome RosaLinda Diaz to the blog for an interview. I've reviewed a few of her books recently.
Onto the interview!
Do you have a set routine for writing?
I actually don't have a routine. I figured out early that if I just sat down and said that's it, I'm writing, then I could. So, I never adopted a routine. I don't wait for inspiration. I just sit down and start. Sometimes, I write well, and other times, I write poorly, but at least I'm writing.
What's your favorite tip for newbie writers?
The best tip I received was to write what you know. My early work wasn't great, but it allowed me to build confidence. Don't wait for a bestseller idea. Write what you want. Let the experiences you have had inform your writing.
What was your experience writing your first book?
My first book or my first published novel? They are two very different books. Bee Stings was my first published novel. It took only three months to write but many years to get published. Gray Mist Soldiers was my first novel. I had the idea but knew very little about soldiers' day-to-day life in the American Civil War. I forced myself to spend a month researching before I started writing.
Do you have a favourite place to write outside of your usual space?
Nope. Actually, that's not entirely true. I write best when I am stuck somewhere. In a doctor's office, at a conference, on a plane, or on a train. My mind can wander, and ideas flow freely. However, I am rarely in those places, so I do most of my writing in front of my computer or in a notebook.
Do you hoard notebooks or anything else writing related?
I wrote my first novel, longhand, in notebooks.
Which genre is your favourite to write in?
I mostly write in the romance genre, but I really love writing Young Adult novels.
Would you ever use a pen name? And if so, why?
I have, so my children's novel wasn't confused with my adult works. My middle-grade historical adventure novel Gray Mist Soldiers is published under RL Diaz.
Do you have any pets?
Sadly, only the pets are in my novels. I usually have a dog companion for my main character. Wishful thinking for me.
Do you keep good reviews and reader comments?
Absolutely! I have a file called good things, where I keep screenshots of nice reviews. Readers, don't underestimate the kind words you write. Us authors really do cherish them!
Paperback or ebook? And why?
Both!
I love the feel of a book and the smell, but ebooks offer ease of carry. On vacation, I can load up with several books at once.
Where do you see yourself, and your writing, in ten years? Ten years?
Goodness, I just figured out the next ten months! In ten years, I'd love to be living by the beach, with a good man by my side, with my kiddos running around, and enough money in the bank that I can focus on writing compelling novels for my fans full time. : )
What's your favourite writing snack?
I don't really have one, but when I get stuck or frustrated, I head to the kitchen for a piece of chocolate.
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Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest
bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact
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[ID: A blue DNA background with the title TRANSLUCENT at the top and coming May 13th 2025 just below the title The except reads:
“You're gonna have to say something eventually,” Lena whispered, leaning over my shoulder so hopefully no one else in the group would hear.
“Where do you suggest I start?” I hissed back.
“Hey, I'll support you, Zya, but you got us into this mess. And they deserve to know what's being asked of them,” she said.
Without giving me a chance to respond, she gestured for me to turn my chair, and held up a hand. The group stopped and looked at me.
At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]
WORKING WITH SENSITIVITY READERS
With Translucent up for pre-order, and the third book in the series heading off to sensitivity readers soon, I thought that I would talk a little bit about what it's been like working with them. I can only talk mostly about disability because that's where the majority of my experience lies, and I don't wanna be misleading people about the process.
For those who don't know, sensitivity readers are people who have lived experience with a certain minority. Sometimes more than just the one, other times they are more focused on one particular area. For both Invisible and Translucent, I used two, one for a myriad of conditions mentioned, and the other for just one disability mentioned. Both had completely different ways of working and presenting their queries and both were a joy to work with. I will be employing them both again for Visible, which is the third book, and in the process of being revised right now.
So what is it like to work with them? While my experience has, again, mostly been with disability, I have found it to be a very important part of the process. It allows me to learn not just if my rep isn't all that great, but the little details I have no experience with, can add to the story as a whole. Like with Translucent, there were body language details, and other small things that would help strengthen my characters and their experiences. I loved getting their reports not just to see what I had right, but also what didn't work and how to maybe change this and that and be able to get a better character experience from it.
So what should you expect from a sensitivity reader?
#1 COMMENTS ON YOUR REP
This can be inline comments, or even a full breakdown of each chapter along with bits and pieces that need tweaking here and there. It should be something where the changes that are needed are clearly outlined and allow you to move forward with their advice. Obviously you don't have to take their advice, but if you choose not to, and it has a negative impact on the character, the rep, and the story, then people are going to be upset about it, and it will be on your head.
#2 PROFESSIONAL APPROACH
By this I mean, you shouldn't have someone who is aggressively yelling at you for getting something wrong. You should be paying this person, and that is not something I will ever change my mind on, and it is a working relationship so there should be a professional approach on both sides. That means you shouldn't be yelling at them either about how you don't agree with this and that and changing it would ruin the vibe or whatever. I feel like this should go without saying, but if not, there it is.
#3 OPEN COMMUNICATION
I've always been clear when I expect the document and notes back, and because my books are generally long, I give two months for them to work on the project. Sometimes that means that we do check ins after a month, other times I don't hear from them because there's no issues. But the lines of communications should be open both ways. Don't sit there and seethe because they didn't meet a deadline you didn't tell them about. Be clear with what you want, and stick to it. Communication is a big thing.
So there we go, those are three of the big ones. Like I said, Translucent is up for pre-order now, and I'm itching to get Visible ready for the readers. Good luck with your writing, and hope this helps!
Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!
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[ID: A blue DNA background with the title INVISIBLE at the top and out now in ebook & paperback just below the title The except reads:
I let out a small sigh as I kept my gaze on her. “At least fifty percent of the segment are dead, and that number will probably rise as they clear the central area where the majority of the bombs fell.”
Lena flinched as she took in my words. I didn't need to tell her that her parents were included in that number, she could probably see it written all over my face.
“And the rest?” she asked, her voice a little shaky.
“Anyone who was affected by the virus slipped into a coma. If they woke up, they’ve developed some long lasting condition. The medical staff has been whittled down, succumbing one-by-one."
At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, in the bottom left corner is the Readers' Favorite review seal, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]