Today, we have an interview with Deanna Lynn Sletten, the author of Destination Wedding.
What was the hardest thing about writing this book?
I didn't have any difficulty when writing this book. In fact, this was one of the easiest and most fun books that I've written. I love the whole process of writing, so I never find any of it tedious or difficult. I had the characters fleshed out in my mind from the start and the location as well. I loved writing the interaction between the two main characters, Claire and James. Their bickering was fun to write, but also the heartwarming moments. I wrote this novel in only thirty-two days, which is fast for me. I just enjoyed it so much, I couldn't stop writing.
Which of your characters can you relate to the most?
Claire is very relatable to me, although I've never been divorced or had to face issues of cheating like she did. But, I think all women who have raised children and worked outside the home can relate to how Claire feels about her situation. And while I'm not the nervous type, I really felt for Claire having to deal with her ex-husband and his new wife. Claire could be strong, too, when she had to be, and that is what I loved about her character, too.
Which part of the book was the easiest to write?
I loved writing the location descriptions and scenes that highlighted the island they were staying on in the Bahamas. We recently went to the Bahamas and I loved it there so much that writing about it in "Destination Wedding" was a joy. Does the island that they go to actually exist? In a way, it does, but I changed many aspects for my own purposes. It was a fun place to write about and send Claire, James, and the entire wedding party to.
Which actors would play the main characters in the movie version of the book?
When I create characters, I never think of which actors they might resemble because each character is so real to me. They have their own looks, characteristics, and personalities. So, it's difficult for me to choose a popular actor for any of my characters. I think I'll leave that to the casting director when they start making the movie. (Dreaming big!)
Which songs would be on the soundtrack of the movie version of the book?
Definitely beach songs, island music, and romantic tunes, but I don't know of any particular songs I'd choose. When I wrote my women's fiction novel, "Maggie's Turn", it was written with the soundtrack of Bob Seger's Greatest Hits. I haven't done that with another novel. Music didn’t play a particular role in "Destination Wedding", so I haven't thought of what songs would work with the story.
Any future books in the works?
Yes! I'm currently writing a romance novel that includes a city girl, a hot cowboy, and a ranch in Montana. It is the first in a three book series. I don't want to give too much away, but it is full of the witty charm you find in "Destination Wedding" and also the heartwarming moments. I plan on publishing it in August 2014.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Deanna Lynn Sletten is a bestselling and award-winning author. She writes women's fiction and romance novels that dig deeply into the lives of the characters, giving the reader an in-depth look into their hearts and souls. She has also written one middle-grade novel that takes you on the adventure of a lifetime.
Deanna's women's fiction novel, Widow, Virgin, Whore,made the top 100 bestselling books on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble in 2014. Her romance novel, Memories,was a semifinalist in The Kindle Book Review's Best Indie Books of 2012. Her novel, Sara's Promise, was a semifinalist in The Kindle Book Review's Best Indie Books of 2013 and a finalist in the 2013 National Indie Excellence Book Awards.
Deanna is married and has two grown children. When not writing, she enjoys walking the wooded trails around her northern Minnesota home with her beautiful Australian Shepherd or relaxing in the boat on the lake in the summer.
Connect with Deanna:
Deanna's blog: www.deannalynnsletten.com
Twitter: @DeannaLSletten
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DeannaLynnSletten
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/dsletten
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Claire Martin's life is perfect, or at least she tells herself it is. She owns a successful clothing boutique, has a steady, dependable boyfriend, and a beautiful grown daughter who is about to be married. Sure, Claire's husband of twenty years left her for a younger woman four years ago, but that is all in the past. Now, Claire is looking forward to her daughter's Bahama wedding and spending a week in paradise. The only thing Claire dreads is her ex-husband and his wife will also be on the island. Claire is determined to make the best of it, though. What Claire doesn't realize is ignoring her ex-husband for the week is going to be impossible.
James Martin's life is a mess. His wife of less than four years has made him the most miserable man on earth and now they are in the middle of a messy divorce. He's happy that he can forget her for a week as he goes off to the Bahamas to attend his lovely daughter's wedding. Jim is embarrassed to admit to his daughter and his ex-wife, Claire, that he made the biggest mistake of his life when he left her for another woman, so he makes up a story as to why his new wife didn't come along. When he and Claire are unexpectedly forced upon each other, Jim soon realizes what he's lost and he begins to wonder if he can find a way back into Claire's heart.
Hi - Thank you for the interview and for sharing my book with your readers!
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