Dana Littlejohn was born in Brooklyn, New York. Some folks say she interrupted her parents' Christmas party but I think she just wanted to join in the fun. She loves cheesecake and lemonade--though not at the same sitting--and her first love was Zorro. She has written and published over a dozen romances and there are more to come...
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Who is the one person who most encouraged or influenced you to be a writer—and why?
It wasn’t an author or one specific person who really influenced me. I guess the main thing that pushed me into sharing my writing with the world was my children. I wanted to write positive love stories that they could see themselves in. I wanted to show my daughter that she could have a knight in shining armor and show my sons that they could be knights in shining armor to the women on their lives.
How long have you been writing? What made you decide to write sensual/erotic Romance?
I have been writing since I was in the seventh grade and even that was a sensual romance. (LOL) It was pretty sensual for a seventh grader, anyway. When I write a story, I don’t sit down and say, “okay, this one will be a sensual romance” or “this one will be erotic.” The characters guide me in what happens. I have some stories that are very erotic and a few that are more sensual and very suggestive. They tell me what to write and I write it.
What is it about the writing of Jackie Collins, Bertrice Small, Piers Anthony, and Terry McMillian that you most admire?
I like these authors for very different reasons. Jackie Collins books always has strong, independent woman who has own in life. I love that. Piers Anthony’s has this Xanth series that I have followed for years and I love them. The magical elements are so cool and everyone has some kind of magic of their own. Terry McMillian’s books showed me sisterhood and black women can have romance in books, too. Bertrice Small--she is my absolute favorite. I love reading her historical romances. They are so sensual and romantic. The men are everything I look for in a man in the books I read. My favorite is To Love Again and I have read it at least 10 times. I think it is beautiful and could probably talk all day on it.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer?
Making the men different. The physical features aren’t so much of a problem because I people-watch a lot and build characters with real people features, but personality is a pain at times.
What is the title of your most recently published book? Briefly tell us what it’s about and let us know where we can buy it.
I had 2 books released in the same month: Cupid’s Arrow and a torrid teaser, Sekemet’s Awakening and Kibuka’s Moon. Cupid’s Arrow is an anthology that I did with Kendra Mei Chailyn. It is four short time-travel stories that tell about people who get a second chance at love. Cupid narrates and interjects his opinion along the way. Sekmet’s Awakening and Kibuka’s Moon are tales about how the goddess of the sun and her sister, the goddess of the moon, find their husbands filled with fantasy and magic.
What are you working on now and when/where do you expect it to be available?
I just submitted a story called Happy Feet to one of my publishers. It is about a woman who ends up dating a man and finds out that he has a foot fetish and I am putting the finishing touches on a story I call Ming Bling.
Writers, especially new writers, are always looking for tips and helpful information. What is the single most important “tip” you can give to a new writer?
I always give this same piece of advice because when it was given to me it helped me immensely. Find your your own voice and strive to improve your craft. If 7 people were given the same picture and told to write a story about it there would be seven different stories. Once you find your voice and the way you tell a story, stick to it and then work on improving your writing. My editor gives me a virtual hand-slap and a pluck in the head with every story I give her, but I take in stride. I listen to what she says and try not to make the same mistakes in the next story I send in.
You took a hiatus from writing for several years. Do you think your writing is stronger for the long absence from it?
Oh yes. I never stopped reading and learning over that time. I re-read some stories I had written years ago and gutted them out, polished them up, and they are actually being released this year with one of my publishers.
Do you have any upcoming book signings or appearances? If so, give us all the details.
Yes, I do! I did a story in an anthology for Take Over Publications (a small print publisher in Gary, Indiana) called Street Vices. My story is called Blaze’s Black Widows. I will be doing a signing this summer in Indianapolis during Black Expo weekend (July 17-19) at Circle Centre mall.
Here’s your opportunity to tell us anything else you care to share.
I have a few releases coming this year. Feel free to go to my website to read excerpts.
The House - Whiskey Creek Press-Torrid (May, 2009)
Behind the Wings - Whiskey Creek Press-Torrid (July, 2009)
To Have and To Hold - Red Rose Publishing (date pending)
What are the addresses of your website(s) and blog(s):
It wasn’t an author or one specific person who really influenced me. I guess the main thing that pushed me into sharing my writing with the world was my children. I wanted to write positive love stories that they could see themselves in. I wanted to show my daughter that she could have a knight in shining armor and show my sons that they could be knights in shining armor to the women on their lives.
How long have you been writing? What made you decide to write sensual/erotic Romance?
I have been writing since I was in the seventh grade and even that was a sensual romance. (LOL) It was pretty sensual for a seventh grader, anyway. When I write a story, I don’t sit down and say, “okay, this one will be a sensual romance” or “this one will be erotic.” The characters guide me in what happens. I have some stories that are very erotic and a few that are more sensual and very suggestive. They tell me what to write and I write it.
What is it about the writing of Jackie Collins, Bertrice Small, Piers Anthony, and Terry McMillian that you most admire?
I like these authors for very different reasons. Jackie Collins books always has strong, independent woman who has own in life. I love that. Piers Anthony’s has this Xanth series that I have followed for years and I love them. The magical elements are so cool and everyone has some kind of magic of their own. Terry McMillian’s books showed me sisterhood and black women can have romance in books, too. Bertrice Small--she is my absolute favorite. I love reading her historical romances. They are so sensual and romantic. The men are everything I look for in a man in the books I read. My favorite is To Love Again and I have read it at least 10 times. I think it is beautiful and could probably talk all day on it.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer?
Making the men different. The physical features aren’t so much of a problem because I people-watch a lot and build characters with real people features, but personality is a pain at times.
What is the title of your most recently published book? Briefly tell us what it’s about and let us know where we can buy it.
I had 2 books released in the same month: Cupid’s Arrow and a torrid teaser, Sekemet’s Awakening and Kibuka’s Moon. Cupid’s Arrow is an anthology that I did with Kendra Mei Chailyn. It is four short time-travel stories that tell about people who get a second chance at love. Cupid narrates and interjects his opinion along the way. Sekmet’s Awakening and Kibuka’s Moon are tales about how the goddess of the sun and her sister, the goddess of the moon, find their husbands filled with fantasy and magic.
What are you working on now and when/where do you expect it to be available?
I just submitted a story called Happy Feet to one of my publishers. It is about a woman who ends up dating a man and finds out that he has a foot fetish and I am putting the finishing touches on a story I call Ming Bling.
Writers, especially new writers, are always looking for tips and helpful information. What is the single most important “tip” you can give to a new writer?
I always give this same piece of advice because when it was given to me it helped me immensely. Find your your own voice and strive to improve your craft. If 7 people were given the same picture and told to write a story about it there would be seven different stories. Once you find your voice and the way you tell a story, stick to it and then work on improving your writing. My editor gives me a virtual hand-slap and a pluck in the head with every story I give her, but I take in stride. I listen to what she says and try not to make the same mistakes in the next story I send in.
You took a hiatus from writing for several years. Do you think your writing is stronger for the long absence from it?
Oh yes. I never stopped reading and learning over that time. I re-read some stories I had written years ago and gutted them out, polished them up, and they are actually being released this year with one of my publishers.
Do you have any upcoming book signings or appearances? If so, give us all the details.
Yes, I do! I did a story in an anthology for Take Over Publications (a small print publisher in Gary, Indiana) called Street Vices. My story is called Blaze’s Black Widows. I will be doing a signing this summer in Indianapolis during Black Expo weekend (July 17-19) at Circle Centre mall.
Here’s your opportunity to tell us anything else you care to share.
I have a few releases coming this year. Feel free to go to my website to read excerpts.
The House - Whiskey Creek Press-Torrid (May, 2009)
Behind the Wings - Whiskey Creek Press-Torrid (July, 2009)
To Have and To Hold - Red Rose Publishing (date pending)
What are the addresses of your website(s) and blog(s):
I have 2 websites: http://www.danalittlejohn.net/ and http://www.liljohndana.webs.com/
My blog: http://www.danalittlejohn.blogspot.com/
My videos trailers: http://youtube.com/shantemaria
What an energetic and prolific writer. I have to admire anyone who can put out more than one book in year. Dana must have a secret place where she stores extra time. Good luck with those new releases, Dana.
ReplyDeletePatricia
You didn't tell us if the secret in HAPPY FEET was a good thing or a bad thing.
ReplyDelete