H. Schussman Interviews Delia Latham

Heidi~

First, Delia, tell us a little about yourself?

Delia~

I'm a mother of four adult children, nanny to four grandchildren -- a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. I live in East Texas, although that's happened very recently. I was born, raised and lived in California's San Joaquin Valley up until my husband retired, and we suddenly became gypsies... moving first to Oklahoma, back to California where we enjoyed a pleasant stint in Tehachapi, and then to Texas to be nearer our grandchildren. One never knows where life will eventually take them.

Heidi~

What genre do you write?

Delia~

I write inspirational romance -- mostly light-hearted, but I like to throw in the occasional dose of deep, wrenching pathos.

Heidi~

When did you start writing?

Delia~

I was born writing. lol  Actually, I'm not sure how far that is from the truth. My earliest memories have me toting some type of notebook and a handful of pencils with me wherever I went. I wrote little stories, poems, songs...whatever came to mind -- and my mind was always busy!

Heidi~

What are you working on now?

Delia~

Right now, I'm mostly promoting my most recent series, Paradise Pines, which is set on California's Central Coast, in Cambria. I've taken a little hiatus from writing, but will be diving in again right away to write a novella for a Christmas collection with a few of my dearest writer pals.

Heidi~

Who is your favorite character in your stories?

Delia~

I can't even imagine trying to choose just one! In Paradise Pines, it's probably Summer. But I really loved Spring Raine, as well...and Autumn, and oh, yes -- Winter! See what I mean? I did love all of my seasonal heroines. Shay Light, one of the secondary characters, was another favorite.

Heidi~

Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

Delia~

Many times. I think all authors tend to write a bit of themselves into their characters. We can't help but do that! Who we are is bound to come through in our characters actions and reactions, even when we try not to let it happen. 

Heidi~

Where do you write? Describe your workspace? 

Delia~

I do have an office... but I often write in my living room. My loveseat, with the center console brought into full use as storage, has become my "lazy writer's desk." I've recently found, though, that I was reclining too much and causing problems in my legs. So I'm trying to write at my desk more, even though I enjoy being where I can see my children and grandchildren when they come traipsing through my house at odd times. I do find it necessary to actually hide away in my office at crunch time, when I'm desperately trying to meet a deadline.

Heidi~

Who are your all-time favorite authors?

Delia~

I grew up reading Grace Livingston Hill, and she had a huge influence on my writing style. Janette Oke is another favorite from years ago. I also enjoy some of the more modern, humorous Christian authors like Mary Connealy and Vickie McDonough. I also love a good suspense story, and even those with a touch of the paranormal. So many good authors...so little time!

Heidi~

Did you find writing a query letter a challenge? If so, how did you overcome it? Do you think there was a key phrase or idea in your query letter?

Delia~

Oh, I love writing query letters...said no author, ever! Query letters are the bane of most authors' existence. For me, the key is to not over-think them. I try to make my queries sound as natural as possible, and I try to have some fun with them. Even editors enjoy a little humor now and then. Of course, there's still a certain core format that needs to be followed, but originality is a wonderful thing!

Heidi~

What advice do you have for a writer aspiring to be published?

Delia~

All the usual things~ Don't give up. Do your homework. Write every day. Yada, yada, yada. Add in one more thing, and push it right up to front of the list: PRAY. Pray long and hard about your writing career before you commit to having one. And then pray before every writing session, inviting God into the pilot's seat, while you slide gracefully into the co-pilot's corner. Having the right hands on the controls goes a long way toward successful landing at your desired destination.

Heidi~

Would you like to acknowledge someone for their help/assistance/faith in you/etc?

Delia~

My dad's brother was my pastor as a child and throughout my teen years. His wife was an amazing woman...talented, funny, anointed, and completely unforgettable. She saw potential in me when I saw none. She knew before I did that I should be writing, and encouraged me in that direction. Without her influence, I doubt I would ever have found the courage to write a book, much less get it published. My only regret is that she didn't live long enough to see it happen. But somehow, I think she knows... :)

Heidi~

Any new releases coming out?

Delia~

Yes! Summer Dream, which releases May 19^th. Here's the blurb:

Summer Callahan isn’t in Cambria for the beach or the ocean or the pine-scented air around Paradise Pines Lodge. She’s there as a companion to her flighty cousin, Deah—with the understanding that they will have separate agendas the entire time. Summer just wants to be left alone to dream up the romance novels she writes under a pseudonym.

But never in Summer's wildest writer's imagination does she dream of being caught in an undertow and almost drowning, only to be rescued by a wealthy artist. And when Logan Bullard proves hard to shake, Summer fears for her heart—especially when Deah sets her sights on Logan.

But at Paradise Pines Lodge, what's meant to be has a way of happening...at the best time and in the best way. Miss Angelina Love—who may or may not own the place—has an "in" with Heaven's own "department of romance." And she's determined to see Summer and Logan together.

Heidi~

How can your readers learn more about you and your books?

Delia~

I'm not hard to find, but here are a few key online locations:

Website

Blog

Amazon Author Page

Facebook

Twitter

H. Schussman's Interview with Delia Latham

Delia Latham Interview

Heidi:

First, Delia, tell us a little about yourself.

Delia:

I wear many hats as a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. But above all else, I treasure my role as princess daughter to the King of Kings! Hubby and I are in the process of moving from Tehachapi, California to East Texas. It'll be great to be closer to our four grandchildren! :)

Heidi:
What genre do you write?

Delia:

I have one novel that is Women's Fiction, but I write mostly Inspirational Romance, so I guess that's where my heart is.

Heidi:

When did you start writing?

Delia:

I always say I was born with a pen in my hand. lol … Truth is, I can't remember a time when I wasn't writing something. First it was little poems and songs, and then short stories. I graduated from that to writing country western music, and then to newspaper journalism. But I always dreamed of writing a novel...thank God He finally opened the door for me to do that. My first novel was published in 2006.

Heidi:

What are you working on now?

Delia:

Packing! lol … Actually, I'm working on the first book in a 4-book series that will be set in and around the Central California coastal town of Cambria. I'm also working on a Christmas novel that will a part of Pelican Book Group's Pure Amore imprint, which promotes chastity before marriage. We're hoping to reach a multitude of young people who have never been taught the value of the gift they can give their wife or husband, if they treasure and protect their virginity until they're married. I'm very excited about these books. They come in a time in society when young people are being taught "safe sex" rather than abstinence. Many of them have never been taught the value of chastity, and we're hoping to touch a few young hearts with these romantic stories in which the hero and heroine choose to treasure that once-in-a-lifetime gift.

Heidi:

Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

Delia:

I suppose there's something of myself in most of my heroines, although it isn't intentional. My son says my first heroine - Hannah, in Yesterday's Promise - is me. lol … She really isn’t, but she's a singer, and I sing as well. She's much prettier and much sweeter than me! :)

Heidi:

Where do you write? Describe your workspace?

Delia:

Have laptop, will travel. I usually write kicked back in the recliner in my living room, because I haven't had a real office in Tehachapi. Hopefully that will change when we arrive at our new home, because I much prefer writing in a dedicated office space. I even find that it's easier on my body, because I get up and move around more when I work at a desk.

Heidi:

Who are your all-time favorite authors?

Delia:

I have many favorites...and I read a lot of genres that surprise people, given the fact that I write inspirational romance. I love epic stories of good vs. evil, like Stephen King's The Stand and Robert R. McCammon's Swan Song.But I grew up on Grace Livingston Hill, and I love Janette Oke, Lori Copeland, Mary Connealy, Vickie McDonough...and so many other Christian writers.

Heidi:

Did you find writing a query letter a challenge? If so, how did you overcome it? Do you think there was a key phrase or idea in your query letter?

Delia:

Query letters have never been hard for me. Synopses, on the other hand, are a different story altogether. I used to panic at the very thought of writing them - I'm a seat-of-the-pants writer, and often have no idea where the story's headed when I first start writing. But since Pelican Book Group requires the synopsis, I've learned to have at least a basic plot in mind, and it has helped. I still don't outline or draw up fancy charts, but I do have a beginning, middle and end in mind. I have to, so I can write a synopsis! lol

Query letters are actually fun. I usually look for something very catchy to start with...something that will make that editor want to read more. The letter should show a sample of your writing style, and that's what I always strive for. It should be just as exciting and interesting as the story itself. If a writer can accomplish that, he/she is guaranteed the editor will at least finish reading it. There's no guarantee she'll be as excited about the story line as you are, but if you can get her to finish reading, you certainly have a better shot than if she stops reading at the second paragraph because she's bored. Hook 'em, just as you try to do with your readers!

Heidi:

What advice do you have for a writer aspiring to be published?

Delia:

Never, never, never, never, never, never, NEVER give up! 

Heidi:

Would you like to acknowledge someone for their help/assistance/faith in you/etc?

Delia:

I had an amazing mentor when I was younger. She was my pastor's wife and my biggest source of personal confidence. She always believed in me, and encouraged me to write, even when I didn't think I could do it. She was unforgettable, and I'll always be grateful for the influence Rita Mae Dawson had on my life. My only regret is that I didn't get my first book published in time for her to read it...but I know she would've been proud! :)

I’m sure your readers would like to know more about you. Could you share some links for them?

Of course, here are my links:

Website

Blog for Readers

Blog for Writers

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Heart's Haven series, which I write with three other authors...we have several Heart's Haven collections. The collections: Heart's Haven: The Beginning; Heart's Haven Holidays; and A Heart's Haven Easter.  Each collection consists of four books, each book written by a different author. More information on Heart's Haven can be found on my website. We also have a Heart's Haven Facebook page.