Author Interview with Denise Baer

This Week’s Featured Author Interview with

Denise Baer

Hi Denise Baer, welcome to the Indie Publishing Group website. Introduce yourself to us. Tell everyone who you are, where you’re from, what do you enjoy doing, hobbies and interests.

I’m Denise, a native of Chicago now living in a small town in Germany. What can I say, life never works out as planned.

I’ve always been one to travel; sometimes not remembering where I was or how I got there. But those are stories from my younger years. Now I’m full of wisdom and little success. I’m not an award-winning author, never starred in a porn, entered a beauty contest, or gave blood for no apparent reason. However, I have been in several grammar school spelling bees, a wet t-shirt contest in my 20s, and a short-lived pole dancing class.

A multi-genre writer, I write for anyone willing to read my publications: a dark, psychological suspense thriller, NET SWITCH; and a women’s fiction / romantic comedy adventure novel, FOGGED UP FAIRY TALE. Currently, I’m working on a 2-book crime mystery series, and a humor novel to tame my unbalanced side.

When did you start writing and why?

A late bloomer, I didn’t find the desire to write until my last trimester in college (Can you believe I was well into my 30s). I wrote my first novel, gave it to a friend, and she offered an honest opinion. What an awakening? If it wasn’t for her, I might have published an awful book. Instead, I spent years learning the craft before diving into the publishing scene.

Which is your favorite book you have written and what gave you the idea for it?

We never forget our first. Net Switch allowed me to get a bit dirty. As one reader stated, “It’s dark, it’s sexual, it’s violent, and it’s not afraid to touch you in the bad places.” This novel allowed me to step out of my comfort zone. I don’t remember how I came up with the idea, but I had a premise for the book and then wrote it during National Novel Writing Month in 2008.

Who helped you with the cover? Or did you design it yourself? What was your inspiration for your cover design?

I first made the rookie mistake of doing it myself. My cousin is an artist and I asked if he wanted to draw the cover. Although my cousin did exactly what I wanted, I realized that it wasn’t professional or in the proper format, so I browsed DeviantArt to find my digital artist, Ana Cruz. We worked together to create a book cover that embodied the tone of the book. I love the first cover because I worked with my cousin, and the second cover because I finally understood the value of grabbing hold of your readers.

What’s your process when you sit down and decide to start writing a book? What is your process and do you have a system?

I’m a panster, letting the story create its own path. After my first novel, I began to create a character and fact sheet with a short premise of the book, a list of characters, and a synopsis of each chapter. After I write the chapter, I update the sheet with important details and things I might need to reference later. When I work on my drafts, I use track changes – comments to leave notes for myself. It works for me because everything, such as ‘do research on such and such’ to ‘show more’ is right there for me.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

A few of my favorite authors are John Irving, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, and Anita Diamont. John Irving for creating rich, quirky characters. He wrote one of my favorite books, A Prayer for Owen Meany, which I read long ago but the characters and emotions are still with me. Carlos Ruiz Zafon for his novel, The Shadow of the Wind, that made me want to affect readers like his writing affected me. And last, Anita Diamant, who created a gorgeous fictional novel, The Red Tent, from the mention of a name in The Bible.

Have you got anything you’re working on now?

I am working on a two-book crime mystery book series, and have the slender beginnings of a humor novel.

If you could have any super powers what would they be?

If I could have a super power, it would be to influence and change the world to find inner and outer peace. I know, I was lame answering this one.

If you could travel to any location in the world where would you go?

I’d love to go to Positano, Italy and the Island of Capri.

Where do you hope to be in 5 years’ time?

Enjoying life like I do now…but with more money.

Thanks so much for taking the time to do an author interview. Take a minute and check Denise Baer out on the links below. Denise Baer’s book, Fogged Up Fairy Tale, is available now on Amazon and Smashwords.

Denise Baer Author Website

Denise Baer Goodreads Author Page

Denise Baer Amazon Author Page