Heart Awards Winner Interview: Dianne McCartney

Dianne was a Heart Awards winner in 2024 in Category 6: Non-Romance Novel w/Strong Romantic Subplot with her novel Breathing Fire.

Ariel, Editor: My favorite question to start off with…would you share something unique about yourself that most people might not know?

Dianne: "I came face to face with Princess Diana in the late 80s. She was beautiful and kind."

I'd love to hear more about your background. Where are you from originally?

Dianne: "I was born in Toronto, Ontario, but I grew up beside the Atlantic Ocean in Nova Scotia. Before I became a writer, I was a riding instructor, specializing in jumping horses. I married a scientist, and that's how I ended up in the U.S."

What inspired you to start writing? 

Dianne: "I read a ton of books pretty much from birth. Once I read the Nancy Drew novels, I knew that I would write for the rest of my life whether I got paid for it or not."

Do you have any literary influences or author role models who shaped your writing?

Dianne: "My main role model is Nora Roberts. I've read most, if not all, of her books. I also love Dick Francis because his heroes are always everyday people who rise to a challenge. I'd have to add Jane Austen as well because her characterization is so wonderful."

Many writers struggle with creative blocks or imposter syndrome. How do you handle those challenges?

Dianne: "I never have writer's block because I work on two manuscripts at once. If one bogs down, I simply move to the other for a while. It works for me, but it might drive others mad. I do think that sometimes you just need a short break. I will just promise myself 48 hours or a few days to do something else that's fun. That's enough to refresh me, and I feel renewed energy getting back to work."

What does your writing process look like? How do you research and organize your writing time?

Dianne: "I tend to use places that I've lived or visited a lot in my books. It helps make the setting more realistic. Because my books are contemporary, I only have to look up minor details. I try to write 4 or 5 hours a day, Monday to Friday. Other things like social media, interviews, etc. are done outside of those hours, usually before I get started as I'm an early riser. If you don't work on those separately, your writing time can mysteriously disappear."

Would you share your favorite scene that you've written?

Dianne: "Without the recorded bonus of her trademark goodbye, they would never guess it was her. That's the beauty of living in a superficial world. Everyone looks at the surface and thinks they know what's inside. They're dead wrong. As Cassandra strolled past the crowd walking in the opposite direction, she beamed a smile and they reflexively smiled back without considering why. She was the perfect height, the perfect weight to be smiled at as she swung her purse in time to her cheerful, tapping steps. They have no idea why I'm in such a fabulous mood. And I'm sure they'd be quite horrified if they did. Her ill-gotten inheritance paid for her perfect teeth, glowing skin, and the assortment of designer clothes that she wore. The sinfully expensive perfume that licked the air around her was a gift from a former lover who thought it would disguise his cheating heart. How painfully naïve." 

From Dark Vengeance, book one of The Elijah Black Trilogy.

Writers often have funny typo stories. Care to share yours?

Dianne: "To keep things PG, let's just say I left one letter out of the word 'crock.' It was especially funny because it involved breakage."

A good connection is worth the work.

What advice would you give to writers looking for an editor?

Dianne: “I would caution everyone to choose an editor carefully. There are a lot of people in our business who simply aren't qualified to do a good job. It's a very specific talent to be able to help people improve their manuscripts without changing their voice and losing the unique quality of their work. I would only trust word of mouth. Ask friends who they've had good luck with in the past. This is one of the reasons why attending conferences is so important. You can find out what editor might suit you the best by asking questions and listening. A good connection is worth the work. This is how I found Ally Robertson/Alicia Dean.”

A pup picture from Dianne’s phone.

How did you get published, and how many books have you published so far?

Dianne: “I started out competing in contests for years. That process helped me grow as a writer at a time I was too busy to do the marketing etc. that a published book requires. By the time I …pitched, I had won a large number of contests. That showed my publisher that I knew what it took to catch a reader's attention. I got picked up after that first pitch. I've written twelve published books. Numbers thirteen to fifteen, my next trilogy, is in progress and should be ready for submission by the end of the year.”

How do you think romance novels have evolved since you began writing?

Dianne: “There's a much wider scope in terms of sub-genres. We have more freedom now to write the exact kind of book we want to write.”

What are you currently reading? Do you have a favorite romance subgenre?

Dianne: “Penny Reid and Max Monroe are two romance authors I enjoy because they always make me laugh. I use any excuse to laugh. My favorites are still Nora Roberts and Dick Francis. And it's always going to be romantic suspense for me as a genre. I especially like romcoms as well.”

You attended OKRWG's RomanceLahoma conference. What did you think of it?

Dianne: “I attended the first one and was very impressed by how efficiently it ran. It offered a great selection of speakers and a very friendly, inclusive atmosphere. I recommend it all the time.”

Only take advice from people who have had success doing what you want to do.

Finally, what's the best advice you've received as a writer that you'd like to pass on?

Dianne: “My best advice is to only take advice from people who have had success doing what you want to do. Often writers get deterred by others who simply don't know what they're talking about. Surround yourself with positive people who support you and, in turn, be sure to support them. This is a community. The best advice given to me was by David Morrell, the guy who wrote the book that became Rambo. He said that you can write the most technically perfect book in the world, but if you don't have emotion, you have nothing.”