Dreams don’t necessarily inspire my writing, but I do dream about my characters! The last dream I sort of remember was a product of Redditing too close to bedtime – there were spiders, an apple, and a room that kept changing colors (actually it was probably closer to a nightmare!).
When did you first start writing? And when were you first published?
The spark for writing romance first hit when I lived in Seattle in 2007, but I didn’t do anything about it really until January of 2012 when I signed up for an Advanced Fiction class at my local community college(in which I was wayyyy out of my league at first). That class changed my life and my first book, Holiday Hoopla, was published December 2013.
What is it about 'chick lit' that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres?
I love the optimism of ‘chick lit’. No matter how dire or impossible the situation seems, somehow, someway they find their true happily ever after. I also read non-fiction in a wide array of topics from biographies to military.
Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
Candlelight Conspiracy is a novella that embodies the hope of the New Year and second chances. Sophie is spunky, independent, and keeps her circle of trust small. Marc is restarting his life and is very goal oriented. Their paths cross and challenge what each of them had planned for their future.
What inspired you to write it?
I knew I wanted to tell Sophie’s story next and set it around New Years. She is a free spirit so she needed an uptight type for her better half. I love putting food into my stories so it seemed like the right time for a chef and after I had those basics down the story flowed. It helped that I was binge watching “So You Think You Can Dance” – the music and choreography is so beautiful I was able to draw inspiration from the passion of the dance.
Who designs your covers?
The design team at Crimson Romance is responsible for my covers and I absolutely love all of them!
If your latest book was made into a film, who would you cast?
I would say my ideas for Candace and Luke would closely resemble Tiffani Amber Thiessen and Michael Fassbender.
What's your favourite 'chick lit' book that made it to the big screen?
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. I’m not going to say that I loved the adaptation, but I loved that the humor of the books were kept.
What were the last two books you read?
Laura Kaye’s “Hard As It Gets” and Robyn Neeley’s “Batter Up”. Both excellent!
Name one female author you think deserves to be better known.
I would have to name two: Mary Billiter and Jami Wagner are both wonderful authors that people should get to know better!
Where do you write?
I have an office at home so I try to write in there either at my actual desk or the desk my dad built for my treadmill, but I also end up in my bed where there is no tv to distract me.
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I have a scar on the bottom of my right foot due to stepping on a tooth pick while I was making chocolate chip cookies around age 13. Tooth picks have no place in my home or near me now—chocolate chip cookies, however, will always be welcomed.
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
I’d like to think Drew Barrymore would pay me in a movie – mostly because I’d love to meet her!
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
I used to joke (when trying to explain what Wyoming is like when I lived elsewhere) that Wyoming had more cattle than people. I don’t know if that’s true, but it paints a picture of the wide open prairie that I love. Casper is an amazing place with outdoor activities all year round and the best mountain air.
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
I am working on a new series that flips the script on fairy tales. My next book is a play on Snow White – and it’s kick ass!
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
I would love to be fluent in sign language. I’ve taken classes here and there, but I am not well versed (yet!).
Name one of your all time favourite songs.
“Kiss from a Rose” by Seal. I heart that song so hard. Not sure exactly why, it just sooths my soul.
What do you listen to whilst writing?
I listen to an array of music while writing – it depends on my mood and the mood of the story. I love country, pop, R&B, and inspirational. Once I find the right song I’ll put it on repeat and soak in the emotion.
Who (or what) did you want to be when you were a kid?
I wanted to be a teacher all the way up until my first week of college. I used to “teach” my sister after school by asking my teachers for their extra copies of worksheets (I’m 3 years older mind you). I also liked to play librarian and thanks to my mom’s ample book collection I had quite a catalog.
What inspired you to write it?
I knew I wanted to tell Sophie’s story next and set it around New Years. She is a free spirit so she needed an uptight type for her better half. I love putting food into my stories so it seemed like the right time for a chef and after I had those basics down the story flowed. It helped that I was binge watching “So You Think You Can Dance” – the music and choreography is so beautiful I was able to draw inspiration from the passion of the dance.
Who designs your covers?
The design team at Crimson Romance is responsible for my covers and I absolutely love all of them!
If your latest book was made into a film, who would you cast?
I would say my ideas for Candace and Luke would closely resemble Tiffani Amber Thiessen and Michael Fassbender.
What's your favourite 'chick lit' book that made it to the big screen?
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. I’m not going to say that I loved the adaptation, but I loved that the humor of the books were kept.
What were the last two books you read?
Laura Kaye’s “Hard As It Gets” and Robyn Neeley’s “Batter Up”. Both excellent!
Name one female author you think deserves to be better known.
I would have to name two: Mary Billiter and Jami Wagner are both wonderful authors that people should get to know better!
Where do you write?
I have an office at home so I try to write in there either at my actual desk or the desk my dad built for my treadmill, but I also end up in my bed where there is no tv to distract me.
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I have a scar on the bottom of my right foot due to stepping on a tooth pick while I was making chocolate chip cookies around age 13. Tooth picks have no place in my home or near me now—chocolate chip cookies, however, will always be welcomed.
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
I’d like to think Drew Barrymore would pay me in a movie – mostly because I’d love to meet her!
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
I used to joke (when trying to explain what Wyoming is like when I lived elsewhere) that Wyoming had more cattle than people. I don’t know if that’s true, but it paints a picture of the wide open prairie that I love. Casper is an amazing place with outdoor activities all year round and the best mountain air.
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
I am working on a new series that flips the script on fairy tales. My next book is a play on Snow White – and it’s kick ass!
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
I would love to be fluent in sign language. I’ve taken classes here and there, but I am not well versed (yet!).
Name one of your all time favourite songs.
“Kiss from a Rose” by Seal. I heart that song so hard. Not sure exactly why, it just sooths my soul.
What do you listen to whilst writing?
I listen to an array of music while writing – it depends on my mood and the mood of the story. I love country, pop, R&B, and inspirational. Once I find the right song I’ll put it on repeat and soak in the emotion.
Who (or what) did you want to be when you were a kid?
I wanted to be a teacher all the way up until my first week of college. I used to “teach” my sister after school by asking my teachers for their extra copies of worksheets (I’m 3 years older mind you). I also liked to play librarian and thanks to my mom’s ample book collection I had quite a catalog.
Dana Volney lets her imagination roam free in Wyoming, where she writes romances and helps local businesses succeed with her marketing consulting company. Surrounding herself with good friends and family, Dana thrives on moments and memories created with loved ones. Not possessing the natural ability to want to cook every day, she still enjoys watching culinary shows while eating take-out. It helps her dream up sweet treats and sexy men. Dana is bold, adventurous, and—by her own admission—good with plants, having kept a coral cactus alive for more than one year.
Becky does a lot of research for her books to get the settings and attitudes down. Whatever was happening in America during the timing of her stories she incorporates in her books. From the suffragette movement, to train wrecks, to the pony express all imbedded within a wonderful love story. Great job again Becky.
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