Tag: Interview with author Deborah Wilde

Q1 Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?

A1. Hi! I’m Deborah Wilde. I’m a bestselling author of funny, sexy urban fantasy. I’m also a proud Vancouverite, which is where I set my books, an avid traveller, and a former screenwriter.

Q2 What would you say is your strength as an author?

A2. My years writing for television taught me the importance of creating a hook before a commercial break, so that people would tune back in. I’ve applied that to chapter endings. Another strength is my witty banter. It’s my happy place to write and, thankfully, readers enjoy it.

Q3 What is your favorite part from your book ‘Made in the Shade’?

A3. Since this is the second book in the series, my MC, Miri, isn’t dealing with the newness of her situation. She’s chosen to step full-on into the magic community and it’s great seeing how she brings all her life experiences—as a mom, as a librarian, and as a woman in her forties—to solve this murder case.

Q4 How do you handle literary criticism?

A4. I take all feedback from my editor and ARC team seriously. Even if I disagree with them, there’s a reason why they are reacting a certain way, so my job is to figure out how I can win them over to my POV. Can I make the story beat clearer? Funnier? Am I missing tension or stakes? That said, sometimes, I need to go off and have a pity party for a couple of days first if something I love really isn’t landing. Then I roll up my sleeves and dig into it.

Q5 What do you like about audiobooks?

A5. They’re an immersive experience in an entirely different way from ebooks or paperbacks. It’s great when I’m driving and can be surrounded by the story, especially if there’s heavy traffic. It takes my stress levels down.

Q6 How has the experience of writing and publishing a book influenced your perception of yourself?

A6. I have 25 books out now and it’s taught me that I can and will persevere, even when things get tough. It’s also taught me (though I still struggle with this part) that I have to protect my writing time because the million details involved in publishing can eat up all my time and energy.

Q7 What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

A7. Strong characters, solid structure, and delivering on what I’m promising my readers, from humor to spiciness to twisty, clever mysteries.

Q8 What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

A8. Back to the “protect my writing time,” I write in the morning. Nothing else happens until I’ve made my word count for the day. However, I don’t write every day. Thinking about the story also counts.

Q9 What is the significance of the title ‘’Made in the Shade’?

A9. That’s actually a riddle posed to Miri in the book that she has to figure out the answer to. So you’ll have to read it to learn what that is. ☺

Q10 What did you want to be when you grew up?

A10. I wanted to be an ambassador and work at the United Nations.

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Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

A1. Hello! I’m Deborah Wilde, a former screenwriter who jumped ship to write funny, sexy urban fantasy books and never looked back. I’m a self-professed geek, pop culture lover, and I never say no to a good chocolate chip cookie.
Most of my books are set in my hometown of Vancouver, Canada and I take a lot of pride in the fact that I’ve convinced readers to check out my beautiful city. Only don’t come in the winter. A lot of rain.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Throwing Shade”?

A2. My biggest challenge wasn’t really with Throwing Shade, which was book one of the seven book series, Magic After Midlife. It was actually with the final book, Ace of Shades, because the big bad that Miriam had to take down was so formidable, it took me a bit to figure out how she could possibly emerge triumphant.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

A3. One of the books that had the biggest impact on me as an author, even though I read it as a kid, was The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. Even back then, I loved books that would transport me to other worlds—but they didn’t tend to be funny. Then I saw a cover with “Don’t Panic” written on it, and my mind was blown by all the humour, while the characters were still having these amazing adventures in outer space.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

A4. Osoyoos, BC. It’s a pocket desert and that’s crazy to me that we have those here in Canada. It’s absolutely stunning there, totally different from the lush vegetation in Vancouver. Plus, the lake is warm and there are lots of wonderful wineries in the area.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Throwing Shade’?

A5. There was this one day, back when I was still teaching screenwriting, when a group of my film school students had an argument about whether a female character in her forties would still have any sexual desire or be seen sexually. Most were arguing that the male character would go for a younger woman.

Intellectually, I understood about the invisibility of middle-aged women—just look at the roles older actresses are offered versus those given to men of a similar age. But I remember sitting there thinking “you’re kidding me, right? Am I supposed to just be some sexless crone now?”

I’d been so happy to turn forty because I’d gotten rid of a lot of negative thinking, especially around my body image, and worrying about how other people saw me, and yet I kept feeling like even though I’d broken out of this box, there were a lot of others trying to keep me inside it.

That got me thinking about invisibility as a strength, and the idea that if you’re invisible, no one sees you coming, which led me to Miriam’s powers.

Ultimately, it’s a story of empowerment.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Throwing Shade’?

A6. I spent about a month figuring out the magic system and what Miriam’s journey was going to be. Probably another 3 months writing it and 3 months through the extensive editing process I do.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. The best place to buy my books is direct from me at deborahwildebooks.com. I sell ebooks, paperbacks, and audiobooks. We’ve made it really easy to download ebooks to a Kindle or Kobo or most popular ereaders. But my books are also available online at all the major retailers, so readers can pick their favourite store.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Throwing Shade’?

A8. One of the things I love to do across different series, is have my designer come up with a symbol to brand it. We knew that we were going to feature different accessories as the main object on each cover in the series and that for Throwing Shade it would be this high heel. Once he added the sparkly gold skull that was the series symbol, it gave the book a dash of cheeky fun.

I don’t remember when I came up with the title. I feel like it was pretty early on in the idea generation stage. Throwing Shade was perfect because it worked on two levels: one, society’s tendency to dismiss older women, and two, Miriam’s shadow magic. From there, it was a matter of roping my husband, kid, and friends into helping me find all the fun plays on the phrases with “shade” for the rest of the books.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself.

A9. That’s a great question. It comes down to refilling my creative well, so dinners with friends, traveling when I can, taking in a cool exhibit, or losing myself in a book or television series. Plus, the more I engage with the world and other people, the more snippets of conversations or something I’ve seen translates into an idea for my own story.

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. Finish your first draft. ☺

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