Donna Schlachter

A Conversation With Donna Schlachter

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Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick, writing historical suspense. She is a member of ACFW & Sisters In Crime; teaches writing classes & courses; is a ghostwriter & editor, & judges in writing contests. She loves history & research, & is represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.

What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense?
Donna: For me, getting the romantic part in! Although I’m finding with every romantic suspense book I write, it’s getting easier.

When do you find time to write?
Donna: I am a kept woman in that I don’t have to work outside the home. My husband is very supportive of my writing. I think he’s figured out that if I don’t write, he’ll have to live with a crazy woman.

What is your favorite spot for reading or reflecting on your current work-in-progress?
Donna: A local coffee shop. Away from the distractions of home, I am most productive. I have a standing appointment to write there on my calendar for every Monday morning to get the week started out right.

What’s your go-to when you need a pick-me-up to keep writing?
Donna: A cup of coffee, usually around three in the afternoon.

Current book: Mail-Order Brides Collection
John Stewart needs a wife. Mary Johannson needs a home. On her way West, Mary falls in love with another. Now both must choose between commitment and true love.

Connect W/Donna
Website: www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com, www.HiStoryThruTheAges.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DonnaSchlachter
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ci5Xqq
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2gZATjm

 

 

 

A Conversation With Donna Schlachter

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Donna lives in Denver with husband Patrick, her first-line editor and biggest fan. She writes historical suspense under her own name, and contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts. Donna is proud to be represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.

What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense?
Donna: The hardest part is always making sure there is a balance between the romance and the suspense. There is a reader expectation that both will be about equal, and I like to charge ahead with writing the suspense part, then find I have to go back and weave in the romance.

When do you find time to write?
Donna: I am blessed to have a husband who supports my calling to write, so I don’t work outside the home. That doesn’t mean I don’t work, though. I don’t find time to write—I MAKE time to write. I impose deadlines for myself for books I’m writing, and even when I’m not under contract, I write. I independently publish two cozy mysteries a year under my pen name, Leeann Betts, and always have several stories percolating in my head.

What is your favorite spot for reading or reflecting on your current work-in-progress?
Donna: Well, that’s going to take two answers. For reading, anywhere works—I once missed my bus stop and ended up about 10 miles from where I lived when I was only seven because my nose was stuck in a book! For reflecting on my current WIP, I love museums or libraries. Both are filled with fodder for not only this story, but the next one, and the next one and. . . you get the picture.

Current book: Echoes of the Heart
A mail order bride. A crippled stationmaster. No way out for either of them—except with each other. Can they surrender their hearts and find true love?

Connect w/Donna
Website www.HiStoryThruTheAges.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/donna.schlachterauthor
Twitter: twitter.com/donnaschlachter

A Conversation With Donna Schlachter

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Donna Schlachter writes historical suspense and contemporary suspense. She has ghostwritten several projects, but still gets a thrill out of seeing her name on the cover.

What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense?
Donna: For me, getting the romance in is tough. I tend to focus on the suspense, danger, mystery, villains, and plot and subplot.

How do you connect with your characters?
Donna: I interview them. I like to ask questions such as What didn’t I let you do that you wish you could have done? Then I go back and write that in.

Where do you get the inspiration for your plots?
Donna: Everywhere. Song lyrics. Newspaper headlines. Recently I got an idea for a book of short stories about an old typewriter I restored. One book I wrote was based on a picture in a newspaper of the police detective who was leading Lee Harvey Oswald from the jail when Jack Ruby shot him. Another book was based on a true story about love letters found in an old puzzle box.

Current book: The Physics of Love
The Physics of Love is the story of an unredeemable woman looking for love, of an unwanted child looking for a family, and of a God who hears the cry of their heart.

Connect w/Donna
Website www.HiStoryThruTheAges.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/donna.schlachterauthor
Twitter: twitter.com/donnaschlachter