TEN QUESTIONS WITH AN AUTHOR: D Wallace Peach (25June2022)

Hello Readers,

Today I am sharing “TEN Questions with an Author” featuring D Wallace Peach.

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Some long-time followers of this blog might know that I startsd the Priorhouse Interview series back in 2015-2016Ish – and managed to do a handful of interviews (mostly yoga teachers) and then in 2021, I decided to put more of a focus on it (thanks in part to Marsha  @alwayswrite).
Also, to get momentum, I scheduled monthly interviews ahead of time (and next month – July 2022- we have author Robbie Cheadle – here – so hope to see you back for that).

Another thing that helped the interview series was doing some unplanned interviews that unfolded on their own- like with Paul Lucas from the Mariner’s Museum (here) and like this mini interview today.

D Wallace Peach, DWP,  has a new book coming out in August and that was one of the reasons for this mini interview post.  I also had a blog insight for authors and wanted to share that as well (see #5)

#1

Can you tell us about the new book being released in August 2022? And thanks for doing this interview here at Priorhouse.

DWP:

Thanks for having me over for a mini-interview!  And thanks for the fun questions with a chance to jump up and down about a new book!

Book Details:

The Necromancer’s Daughter will be out at the end of August 2023! Here’s a brief version of the longer blurb:

Barus, a healer and dabbler in the dark arts, is forgotten in the chaos of the dying queen’s chamber. He spirits away her stillborn infant and breathes life into the wisp of a child. Raised as the necromancer’s daughter, Aster learns to heal death.

All is well until the dying king defies the Red Order and summons his only heir. For his boldness, he falls to an assassin’s blade. In a land splintered by those who practice magic and those who hunt them, Aster flees for her life. She must choose whether or not she wants to trust the one man offering her aid, the one man most likely to betray her—her enemy’s son.

#2  

That sounds really detailed! And while fiction is not my main reading genre, your book sure feels like a “Lord of the Rings” kind of adventure story – with fantasy, trust, and various layered realms.
How can we find you (and this book) online?

DWP: I will be sharing book updates on my blog and on Amazon.

• Myths of the Mirror blog: https://mythsofthemirror.com
• Amazon Author’s Page: https://www.amazon.com/D-Wallace-Peach/e/B00CLKLXP8

#3

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and brief bio?

DWP: Before I started writing, I was a children’s mental health counselor, working with the under-five crowd (and their parents). I loved the work, but a move to another state meant recertification, and I ran out of steam. At age 50, I needed a career change and decided to write. I moved into it full-time and was completely hooked. I’ve been writing fantasy for thirteen years and blogging for about ten. I have nineteen novels now, a children’s book, and spots in a number of anthologies.

Priorhouse: Wow- that is quite a career change!  I have been following you for about five years now, which leads us to the next question.

#4

Do you still offer writing tips online?  When I was reading Kelvin M. Knight’s Flashes of Weather book (post is here), I noticed that he added a quote from you in his book! I think that seeing your name there said a lot about how so many folks are inspired by you and what you share online.

DWP: That was so kind of Kelvin Knight (K to the 2) to do that.

Yes, I used to offer writing tips on my blog but have moved most of that activity to Story Empire (https://storyempirecom.wordpress.com), where I’m one of eleven contributors. I never get tired of talking about writing, and I consider myself a life-long learner when it comes to this craft.

#5

Do you have any tips for “author bloggers”?

Regarding publishing, I went through a huge learning curve and switched from traditional publishing to self-publishing, a move I’ve never regretted. When I started blogging, I was also completely clueless. (That’s my MO, Yvette, jump in with both feet and doggy paddle like mad until I figure it out.)

The biggest tip I can share related to growing an author BLOG is to comment.
Comment, comment, comment.

Priorhouse: I love the three comment words.

• In real estate we have “location, location, location.
• In relationships and consulting we have “communicate, communicate, communicate”
• In skin care we have “exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate”
• With the immune system we have “gut health, gut health, gut health”
• With blog connecting we have “comment, comment, comment”

Priorhouse tip for author bloggers:

I wanted to mention that I recently was reading a blog post from an author and she was inviting folks to preorder her book. I left a comment and looked around her site. Then later, when I was curious about her book – (I wanted to know more about it and was maybe going to help her out with an order – because I do want to support more authors). Anyhow, I couldn’t remember her name or the book title (guess it was a busy day for me – hahah) but the reason I am sharing this story is that if she had visited my blog and left even one little comment – I think I would have recognized the name and gone back to her blog!
I know it takes time to visit blogs (and I am not trying to say folks should become a “blog-visit junkie” or force it and visit lots of blogs because that can tax the mind! – but if promoting a book it might be a good idea to make some rounds- especially if someone commented on your promotion post).

Yes, we know it can be tough to leave comment after comment (even though a short – even one sentence comment – can be more than enough) but it is crucial for “author bloggers” to do this if they want to build a following and promote their work! 

DWP: It takes time to leave comments, but blogging for authors is about building relationships, and comments are the main way to do that. It’s our online friends who’ll support us when a new book hits the shelves. And we should do the same for them in whatever way we can.

#6

I joined in with your “share about your muse” challenge a few years ago, which  I enjoyed.

Do you host any other challenges?

DWP: I loved that muse challenge (which was three years ago, I think).
A different challenge that I hosted regularly involved posting a monthly speculative fiction (sci-fi or fantasy) image, and bloggers were invited to write a story or poem using it as inspiration. I typically got about 70 responses that I reblogged over the month.

However, family stuff happened, and my parents started needing a lot of care. I couldn’t keep up. I’m certain I won’t restart it since life has gotten even busier, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from finding an inspiring image and writing!

#7

Do you listen to music while writing?

DWP:  You might not believe this, but I don’t listen to music. I haven’t in about 13 years – since I started writing.  I can’t write with music on, and if I’m not writing, I’m reading, and if I’m not reading, I’m listening to books. And if I’m not listening to books, my husband has the television blaring. There’s no escape from that.

Priorhouse: I believe you that you don’t listen to music – but it was shocking to hear that because I love music so much! Wow! 
I do have quiet seasons where I might go without music for days and days – but I really need a variety of music in my life!

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#8
Can you share a song that makes you smile or lifts your mood.

DWP: Pick a song for me, Yvette, and I promise I’ll get up and dance.

Priorhouse: Well, I considered a lot of songs and decided to share an “oldie but goodie” that made me smile a lot this spring. 
It is “And the Beat Goes On” by the Whispers!

Song:

Priorhouse: I knew the song from High School, when some upper grade music majors sang it in the basement halls (sweet acoustics down there). Then this spring, we did some painting and I played this song on a booming speaker (there are some amazing speakers available these days).

I noticed the song had a few lyrics that were uplifting! It amazed me to think that we can enjoy a song for years but never really hear the lyrics. 

Here is a snippet from “And the Beat Goes On” by The Whispers

And the beat goes on
Just like my love everlasting
And the beat goes on (you’d better believe it)
Still moving strong

on and on

Don’t stop for nobody
This time I’ll keep my feet on solid ground
Now I understand myself (when I’m down)
Like the sweet sound of hip music
There’ll always be something new.

I didn’t realize the lyrics related to rebounding – and learning life lessons (ie “this time I’ll keep my feet on solid ground” and “now I understand myself”); the song is about letting the beat of our life move on – while staying well! Funny how we can listen to a song (on and off) for decades and then suddenly “hear” the lyrics and it changes the song experience. That leads to the next question.

#9

What do you do for wellness and mental sanity?

DWP: This is an easy one after that last doozie of a question about music.

 I go straight outside and into nature. I love being outdoors taking walks or growing food or just sitting still and listening to the wind. Mother Earth is the cure-all for me, and the crazier the world gets, the more I need it to unwind and find a place of peace and sanity.

DWP: Also, my husband and I gave up sugar, grains, and seed oils about four years ago when we started a Keto diet/lifestyle. We avoid all chemicals (like artificial sweeteners) as well as processed food. We just love the diet and have seen a huge difference in our overall health.

#10

If you had an extra $500.00 to spend in an afternoon – how would you spend it.

DWP: Oh… besides using it for important things, I’d snag my working-mom daughter and we’d splurge at the spa.

If my daughter was not available for some spa time, I’d blow the whole thing on a fancy pants book promotion.

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D. Wallace Peach’s Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/D-Wallace-Peach/e/B00CLKLXP8

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And now to the readers  – we were wondering what “you” would do with an extra $500.00?
Or….

can you share a song that brings a smile?

Please leave any feedback in the comments below.

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