We’re so pleased to welcome author Diana Waters today, on the tour for her latest release, A Trust to Follow. Enjoy Diana’s guest post and the teaser she’s sharing, and then be sure to check out details about her Rafflecopter giveaway below.
Good luck!
It’s Okay if You’re Doing It Wrong
I’ve never thought of myself as being the especially creative sort, and I’ve always been a bit envious whenever people described their unique creative process. In my head I built up the idea of a writer being someone who was incredibly artistic – the kind of person who wallpapered their bathroom with rejection letters, locked themselves in hotel rooms to do nothing but write for three days straight, and drank a lot of coffee at trendy cafés. ‘Hipster’ may have become something of a dirty word in certain circles but I have to admit that people who write at cafés seem somehow cooler than everyone else, and for a while I strove to be that cool as well.
When that didn’t work (mostly because I don’t actually like coffee), I thought I’d better come up with a creative process that better matched my personality. I know myself to be extremely organised and very list-happy in my everyday life (described less kindly once or twice as ‘anal-retentive’), so I tried to approach writing from the same angle. I mind-mapped ideas on a whiteboard. I jotted words and phrases down on post-it notes. I drafted character profiles on paper. It all failed spectacularly, probably because I was still trying too hard to fit the image of “writer” as though it was a single definition or trait.
I’ve since come to realise that there’s no such thing as any one correct creative process, and that just because you might lean towards order or chaos in your general life doesn’t mean you’re necessarily going to write that way. I don’t think you have to see yourself as cool or alternative to be able to write, but I also think you shouldn’t attempt to strictly limit yourself to writing in a way that fits with however you do typically see yourself either. There are probably already many versions of you – it’s just a matter of finding the one that works best when it comes to creating a story, and not being too surprised if it’s not the one you expected.
About the Book
Title: A Trust to Follow
Author: Diana Waters
Genre: Gay Romance, Historical/Fantasy
Length: Novella
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
Blurb: Prince Daymon is an Evoker—possessor of rare and feared magical powers.
When he is captured by bandits who plan to use his gifts for their own benefit he must depend upon his lover to come to his rescue.
Rhyder is captain of Daymon’s personal guard and the legendary ‘Lion of the West’, but can he reach the man he loves before it’s too late?
WIP || Amazon US || Amazon Int’l || ARe
Excerpt
“Are you really him? The Lio… Sir Rhyder?”
Rhyder straightened up from where he had been examining the array of training swords, and Daymon could have kicked himself. What was he saying, he already knew this was Rhyder—and Rhyder, judging from the slight quirk of his mouth, knew that too. Still, the man was polite enough not to say anything to embarrass Daymon and made a bow. “At your service, Your Highness. But if it please you, I am no Sir. Just Rhyder will suffice.”
“Oh. Yes. Of course, I knew that. I just….” Daymon trailed off, all of his practiced conversations and smooth, courtly language failing him.
When it became apparent that Daymon was lost for words, Rhyder prompted him, as though there had been no awkward pause. “And you are Prince Daymon. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Your Highness. To what do I owe the honor?”
“I… um, that is. I always wanted to meet you! Ever since I heard the stories, you know, the ones about… and there are so many of them! Is it true you bested Kharsan the Great in single combat? And that you tamed a Rhodan horse when you were only twelve?” With an effort, Daymon stopped before he could embarrass himself further.
To his credit, Rhyder did not laugh at his babbling. “Yes and yes,” he replied easily, as though this was the kind of conversation he had every day—which, for all Daymon knew, he did. “I did have some help with that second one, however. And if truth be told, I’ve wanted to meet you for some time now as well.”
“Me?” Daymon squeaked.
“Indeed. Your Highness must be aware that if there are plenty of stories about me, there are many more surrounding you.”
Book Trailer
About the Author
DIANA WATERS is a New Zealander currently living in rural Japan. She has no idea where in the world she’ll be this time next year and is pretty okay with that. Other than reading and writing, her main passions include travel, Japanese pop culture, and competitive swimming.
Diana Waters Can Be Found At: Facebook || Twitter
The Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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