Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Diane Craver. Thanks for being here today Diane, welcome to FAR!

Thank you, it’s great to be here!

To start, will you please tell us a little bit about your book No Greater Loss?

No Greater Loss is a contemporary inspirational romance. I need to add here that it isn’t the type of inspirational you will read in the Steeple Hill line. Here’s a blurb:
Dr. Jennifer Hunter is so stunned by her past that she’s unable to move on with her life. After losing her young husband and baby son fifteen years ago she’s determined never to marry again. Losing loved ones is just too painful.

A friend introduces Jennifer to Luke Brunsman and suggests she hire him to renovate her antique farmhouse. Instantly attracted to Luke, she refuses the widowed contractor’s help. But after she gets injured working on a fireplace, she gives in.

Luke clearly wants more than a business relationship, and Jennifer guards her heart. His kisses make her yearn for a future once denied her. Luke falls in love with her but finds tearing down the walls in Jennifer’s house is easier than breaking through her protective shell.
When Dr. Hunter’s radio talk show catches the attention of a vengeful arsonist, Luke and Jennifer must overcome the shadows of the past and find the courage to love again.

Before you became a writer you were a school teacher, what did you teach?

When I graduated there was a surplus of English teachers so my first teaching job was actually as a business teacher at a state orphanage in Xenia, Ohio. I fell in love with the math teacher there and married him three years later. I did teach Jr. High English and high school speech. I also directed high school plays and that was a lot of fun.

What is your favorite genre to read and to write?

I don’t have one particular favorite genre to read. I like reading contemporary romances, romantic suspense, historicals, chick lit and women’s fiction. Contemporary mainstream romance and chick-lit mystery are my favorite genres to write.

Has being published changed you at all? If so, how?

Yes, it has changed me. I think of writing as a career now and it is no longer a hobby. Since I received three contracts in one month from Samhain, it’s been an amazing and exciting coaster ride. I just finished proofing galleys of both A Fiery Secret and No Greater Loss. Both books will be in print in February.

During the same week, I did a round of editing on Never The Same. I feel like I’m in front of the computer all the time with editing, doing chats, writing entries for my blog, and mailing out promo items. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

In your book A Fiery Secret, the character Miranda is based on your daughter Amanda. Could you tell us more about that?

My daughter Amanda is a vivacious seventeen-year-old and brings great joy to our family. She was born with Down syndrome. I think it’s important to show people with disabilities in a positive light. The character Miranda also has Down syndrome, works in a coffeehouse and has a boyfriend. By the way, the main character is a feisty investigative reporter, Catherine Steel. The inspiration for her came from my daughter Christina.

Where would you say that you get your most creative ideas?

I get creative ideas from different sources, but probably TV has been a big influence. One idea actually came from a news report about a plane crash. When I heard of a woman walking away from this crash and wanting to change her life, my imagination took this compelling idea to develop the story for Never The Same. The same thing happened with A Fiery Secret. On TV they mentioned Prince Charles and Camilla Bowles getting married and an idea popped into my head how cool it’d be for the main character to have a fantasy related to Buckingham Palace.

When did you start writing and how long did it take you to get published?

It’s been a long road to publication for my books. You have to be persistent in this business. I actually started writing nonfiction when our first daughter was born thirty years ago. I had several magazine articles published by the time I attended a romance writing conference in Cincinnati (I think it was in 1995) and it was sponsored by the Ohio Valley Romance Writers. I met many great published authors and their enthusiasm was contagious. I decided to start writing fiction. I loved it but I got off to a slow start with six children at home. I didn’t have a computer and wrote first drafts in longhand. A year ago, Dianne Castell, told me to submit to this wonderful new company, Samhain. I’ll always be grateful to her for giving me the push to do this and to stay focused on my dream.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I was surprised to the degree my characters took over their story. Of course, I’m happy to finish a book but at the same time, the characters are so real to me that I’m sad when I stop writing about them.

What can you tell us about your upcoming book Never The Same?

In all my books I like to integrate family into each romantic plot which also occurs in Never The Same. Here’s a blurb:

When fashion buyer Kimberly Collins and high school senior Tori Moorhead escape a burning plane, both women make radical decisions about their lives. Kim’s priorities change especially in the bedroom. She is thankful to be taken to another world…one of love and romance, not of smoke and death. When Kim decides she wants another child, Steve reveals his own shocking plans for their family.

Pregnant Tori is on her way to get a secret abortion when the plane crashes. The baby’s father wants to get married, but Tori doesn’t want to give up her college dreams. Her dad wants them to put the baby up for adoption. Tori can’t please both men in her life.

Both women walk away from the wreckage of an airplane, but their hearts and lives will never be the same.

Congratulations! You just won a year off from work to travel anywhere in the world and write the story of your dreams. Where do you go, what type of book do you write, and what’s the title?

I’d probably go to Australia. I’ve always wanted to go there. I’d write romantic suspense but I’m not sure about the title. Sometimes choosing the title of a book gives me the most difficulty.

If you could meet any one person (past or present) and ask them only one question - Who would it be, and what would your question be?

The first person to come to my mind is John Ritter. I loved him as an actor. He made me laugh. I think having a sense of humor is important in life. Since he was in several television shows and in movies, I’d ask him what his favorite role was as an actor.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Before I started writing fiction, I did write a creative nonfiction book, The Christmas of 1957, about my father. I love to hear from readers. Be sure to check out my website and my blog.

Thank you so much, Tammy & FAR, for giving me this opportunity to tell about my books and writing. It was fun.

Thank you for spending time with us today Diane!

Interviewed by: Tammy