Akamai Author - Diane Bixler

                                                              
                                                                 

Akamai Author, Diane Bixler joins me this week to tell us a little about herself and her latest release, Melancholy Jack.

To connect with Diane and Jack, her protagonist, go to the following links:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diane-Bixler/670011576372660?ref=bookmarks (my author page)

https://www.facebook.com/LordJacques (my protagonist’s page)

Now for our five-point countdown with Diane Bixler.

‘Elima - Five sentences about the essence of Melancholy Jack:                  

All the world’s a stage,                                                 And all the men and women merely players.

They have their exits and their entrances,

And one man in his time plays many parts,

His acts being seven ages.

Kindle (http://www.amazon.com/Melancholy-Jack-Acts-Justice-Book-ebook/dp/B00OE9IHCQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413233728&sr=8-1&keywords=melancholy+jack)

Nook (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/melancholy-jack?keyword=melancholy+jack&store=ebook)

Paperback (https://www.createspace.com/4886163)

‘Ehā - Four sentences that describe what inspires you.

I’m inspired by human nature, both the good and the bad.

I’m inspired by the authors and playwrights of the past.

I’m inspired by those who never give up on their dreams.

I love words and all they can do to evoke emotions and relay experiences.
 

‘Ekolu - Three random facts about yourself.

I attended college on a music scholarship, specializing in clarinet, but I also play piano, oboe, flute, sax and bass.

I was once accidentally hit in the face with a machete (yes, the sharp side).

My main vice is that I love to go fast.

‘Elua - Two most useful resources.

I couldn’t possibly have developed such a strong character as Jack without the input of others – my beta readers & editors are the best!

Google is a lifesaver for me – I research all the details (check out the Alibi in Burlingame, CA via Google Maps’ street view).

‘Ekahi - One symbol that best describes you as a writer.

Picture a woman who is sick to her stomach...

Let me explain… When I write, I start with a summary. For the Acts of Justice series, I started with three such summaries, for the first three books. Once I’m ready, I start writing, but it’s a lot like throwing up a story. It’s ugly, there are “why am I doing this” thoughts, sometimes it smells, and James has to occasionally hold my hair. But it’s always over way too soon. Once the story is on paper, then I can start refining it. The writing is the fast part. It typically takes me twice as long to revise, rewrite, edit, and rewrite some more before it’s ready for an editor or a beta reader.

Mahalo to Diane for visiting us this week.  To entice you further, Diane provided the back cover blurb for Melancholy Jack.  I don't know about you, but the first three lines of the blurb hook me.

I wasn’t born a killer. I suppose I wasn’t born a lover either.  I mean, I knew I was different, but growing up with an overprotective mother and alcoholic father, I think I did pretty damn well for myself. I settled into a perfectly normal existence, married the love of my life, Allie, and maintained a successful acting career.

And then, with no warning, Allie was taken from me, killed in a car accident. I resorted to acting once again to maintain a false normalcy in my life, and it worked, for a while. But the man responsible for ending her life just walked away, with no consequences for his negligent actions.

I wasn’t born a killer. I want to do the right thing and follow the path leading me back to a perfectly normal life. But part of me wants justice, needs closure and feels compelled to secure these comforts the only way I know how.