Denise, what motivates you to write fiction?
I want to tell a story. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, well, I want my thousand words to draw that vivid picture in a reader’s mind, make them escape their world and enter one I created. Once in that world, I want the readers to see, feel, and experience the story. I hope their hearts beat faster, their breath catches, they cry, they laugh, maybe even fall in love. In the end, my goal is to make the reader curious, think, ask questions, and want to explore further what they just read about.
For example, when a reader reads Killer Bunny Hill, I hope they ask the question, “Are there really underground railroad tunnels in New Hampshire?” Or ask, “Is there such a thing as diamond computer ships?”
Curiosity is a wonderful thing and it’s why I am an author today. I asked myself, “Can I write a book?”
In your latest published novel, KILLER BUNNY HILL, what would you say you were most driven to convey? Was it a specific emotion or the life of a certain character or maybe a theme?
In all my novels I aim to convey that you should be comfortable in your own skin and that the most important things are life and family.
In Killer Bunny Hill, both main characters have lost someone and are afraid of losing again. If they take the risk, what they gain together is so much more than either of them had expected and better than they could imagine.
How big a role does your knowledge of computer technology play in your novels?
My knowledge of computer technology plays a big role in my novels in that I weave bits and pieces of it into the story as either something the antagonist uses as a weapon or what the protagonist uses to catch the criminal. It plays a part of my stories because it is what I know. The best part is I don’t know everything so I get to explore and research and then write the next techno-romantic thriller based on my experience and what I just learned.
I take technology and introduce the readers to it in small pieces, like breadcrumbs of information, so that technology is part of the mystery or part of the solution to the puzzle. I take the technology and break it down so my characters show the reader just enough to make them understand, and at the same time make them curious. [WINK] That’s one of those things that motivates me.
Wait until you find out about nanotechnology in Killer Bunny Hill. I’ll give you a hint – Diamonds aren’t just a girl’s best friend.
Reviewers agree that your books are action-packed page turners with effective suspense and romance. Are these qualities you were aiming for?
Those are the nicest words any reader could ever say to me. I love hearing, “I could not put your book down.”
Yes, I absolutely aimed for action-packed page turners. Those are the kind of books I like to read, you know the ones, where it is midnight and you tell yourself that you will just finish this chapter and then go to bed. But then you get to the end of that chapter and in spite of the fact that you have to be up at 5 AM to go to work, you have to keep reading.
Which authors have had the greatest positive influence on you, Denise?
Such a good question and so many authors. Several authors have inspired me for various reasons. Faye Kellerman influenced me in that her mysteries were the first that I read, no devoured. My father and I listen to Jonathan Kellerman’s mysteries. Jonathan was probably the first male writer who I read that had romance in his novels. Linda Howard hooked me on romantic-suspense and made me want to be an author. She put the best of romance and mystery, and heart pounding all into one book. Carla Neggers exposed me to stories that relate to each other but are standalone. David Baldacci took mystery/suspense to a whole new “real” level with characters that you can’t help but want to meet.
These are just a few authors who have influenced me and to them, I offer my heartfelt thanks. I could not have achieved my goal if not for all of them and many more.
To learn more about Denise Robbins, visit: http://www.deniserobbins.com
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14/10/2009 at 6:34 am Permalink
Great interview! Knowing a little more makes buying the book a safer bet.
15/10/2009 at 12:43 am Permalink
Wow, Denise. Great interview. I loved it when you mentioned it being midnight and telling yourself you’ll read just one more chapter. Been there…done that…and paid the price the next day. But I had to find out what happened.
Your new book sounds like romantic suspense with a bit of humor. Hmmm. Wonder how I would have felt if the guy I thought was a hunk wound up wearing pink lady’s undies. If I come up with a suggested title, I’ll post it.
MORGAN ST. JAMES
“A Corpse in the Soup”
“Seven Deadly Samovars”
15/10/2009 at 1:50 am Permalink
Thanks DK and Morgan for stopping by.
I think most book lovers have at one time or another experienced that late night “just one more chapter” and ended up reading the whole thing because they could not put it down.
All books should have a little humor, don’t you think? Life is like that.
15/10/2009 at 5:45 am Permalink
Awesome interview!! I have to say that that was one of my favorite things in Killer Bunny Hill – the use of diamonds in technology. That was absolutely brilliant!
15/10/2009 at 7:32 am Permalink
April – Glad you liked!
Just returned from dropping my kitties off for grooming and their groomer said she could not put KBH down and read it lickety-split. That’s my kind of response!
15/10/2009 at 9:16 am Permalink
Great interview. Makes me want to read your book. I love techno thrillers.
15/10/2009 at 10:31 am Permalink
Hi Roxanne!
Nice to meet you. I just visited your site. You’re part of the dream team – Way cool!