Interview & Giveaway with Dana Michelle Burnett

Today I welcome Dana Michelle Burnett to the blog, you can read my review of her newest release, Spiritus, HERE.

1. When did you first start writing, and was there something in particular that inspired you?

I was writing my own odd little stories in elementary school. One of my favorite memories of my childhood was playing at my grandmother’s huge desk, sipping cola out of a brandy glass, and pretending I was Hemmingway. It was just always a part of me. While other little girls were dreaming of getting married, I was dreaming of traveling the world as a writer.


2. What first attracted you to the paranormal/urban fantasy realms when it comes to writing?

I love the idea that anything is possible and that the only limitations are my imagination. I wrote several short stories for literary magazines and felt a little confined having to work within the rules of reality. It is so exciting to come up with new stories and have no rules, anything is possible as long as I can come up with a way to explain it.


3. In regards to your own characters, who is your favorite and why?

Right now, my favorite character is Alastor from Spiritus. I guess because in my mind, he’s the perfect man. He loves so deep that he crosses the line between life and death. He is sexy, but not in a stereotypical way.


4. What other genres (besides your own) do you enjoy reading?

I love Anne Rice, Stephenie Meyer, JK Rowling, and even some older stuff. I love Gone With the Wind, Frank McCort, and Rebecca Wells. I began reading Amanda Hocking a while back and she’s quickly becoming a favorite too.


5. If you could not be a writer, what would you be?

I suppose I would have a home décor business again. I took a brief hiatus from writing after my daughter was born and for a few years worked with my mother in her home décor business. When my dad became ill, I took over the day to day operations. When he died and my mother retired, I began running the business alone. It was fun, but it was nothing compared to writing. I closed it due in part to the economy, but also the urge to get back to writing was just too strong.


6. As a reader I know how difficult it can be to name a ‘favorite’ book, would you mind listing your top three? (Past or present authors)

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell is my all time favorite, next would have to be Witching Hour by Anne Rice, and then the third would depend on my mood. Sometimes it would be the Twilight Sage when I’m in the mood for a romance, but if I want an adventure with a “sweep you away” type of story it would have to be the Harry Potter books.


7. What are some must haves when you sit down to write?

I tend to write things out longhand first, so college ruled notebooks, purple pens, a yellow highlighter, gummy bears, vanilla latte or orange soda depending on the time of day, and one unsharpened pencil for fidgeting. I also prefer an empty room as I tend to think out loud and most people find that disturbing.


8. If you became trapped as a character in a book or series, which would you choose and why? (Any book, any series, new or old)

I would love to be Scarlett O’Hara because Rhett Butler is just hot, but I have to say that I would love to jump into any of the Anne Rice horror novels…I think Marybeth Mayfair from the Witching Hour would be loads of fun!





Find Dana:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Dana has kindly offered up an ebook copy of Spiritus to one lucky reader!

Rules for entry:
- Giveaway ends November 6, 2011 12AM EST.
- Open Internationally.
- Fill out the form below.