What can you tell us about your new release, Hidden Truth?
Hidden Truth was a work of the heart. My brothers were both in the military and with that came the warrior mentality. This was a way of bringing that world to readers in a different way; namely, through the world of black ops and military contractors.
What or who inspired you to become an author?
I always loved to write, but I thought it was an impossible dream. At 18, I was diagnosed with cancer and I had a revelation that I wanted to contribute to the world and help others escape in any way I could. This led to writing for magazines, then short stories, and finally moving into my one true love—romance.
What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?
Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper
Steven Pressfield’s Warrior’s Ethos
Delia Owens Where the Crawdad’s Sing
J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series
Tara Westover’s Educated
Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?
One of my very favorite people in this industry is BJ Daniels. She is truly an inspiration. Once, when I was just starting out, she gave me the best advice any new writer can receive: “No matter what happens, just keep writing.”
This piece of advice changed my world. I didn’t use life, business, illness, kids, or anything else as an excuse. No matter how much I wanted to quit, I kept plugging away.
If I was to ask her anything, I would like to ask her what was her biggest lesson. She has written hundreds of books. I can only imagine what other gems of wisdom she has to bestow.
What’s your favorite thing about writing?
I love to write, picking a single thing I enjoy is like picking a favorite child. This profession isn’t just about writing…being an author is a lifestyle. I go out and study what I choose to write about, I look for nuggets in daily life, I spend hundreds of hours studying psychology and human nature, then comes the creation, proposals, publishers, then the production, marketing, and hanging out with my AMAZING fans. I have a street team that other authors would jones for, seriously…they are the freaking coolest.
What is a typical day like for you?
I wake up, have a cup of coffee and then I get to work. I own Self-Publishing Services, so I have “a day job” of sorts…though it is all interconnected with my writing. Lately, I’ve also been working on a really cool event, a conference for writers, actors, and the public all about Special Operations (think military contractors and alphabet soup agencies).
Once I do my daily business, I then sit down and write between 1-3k words. Or, I work on marketing, reaching out to fans, or creating new ideas. Seriously, there is never a dull moment in my world, but I am so passionate about my books.
What scene in Hidden Truth was your favorite to write?
I love the prologue. I can’t tell you a whole lot, but it set up the entire series. Hidden Truth is the first book in the four-book STEALTH Series, but I just signed with Harlequin for six more in a continuing series called the STEALTH Surveillance Series. So, most of the characters will have cameos!
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
I have two:
Under promise, over deliver. This applies to everything. I want to blow people’s minds when the read my books, meet me, or work with me. I love to surprise!
And always keep the story moving forward. Again, applies to everything. Going back to BJ’s advice, even when life rears its ugly head, I think about this…And I keep on moving. This resilience is something you will always see in my characters and hopefully as readers finish my books, it is a feeling they can bring into their own lives.
Danica Winters is the author of the new book Hidden Truth.
Connect with Danica:
Author Website
Facebook
Buy The Book
Sign up for our email and we’ll send you the best new books in your favorite genres weekly.