Debra Parmley
What genre do you write?
I write romance primarily. Every
story I have ever tried to write turned into a romance before I was done with
it. Within romance I write in several genres. I have western historical romance
and 1920’s romance about flappers. I have contemporary romance and within that
genre I have military heroes and I write military romantic suspense. I also
write short fairy tale romance, futuristic sci-fi romance and fantasy romance.
Which
actress/actor would you like seeing play the lead in your book?
I really never
think in terms of actors and actresses when I am writing my books and by the
time I am done the story people seem so real to be that it is hard to pick who
would play their part the best. I would leave that up to the casting person or
the director. I believe in hiring people who do good work and letting them do
their jobs. Far from a micromanager.
What type of books do you read?
It might be easier to list what I
don’t read as I read so widely. I read almost every genre of romance, as well
as mysteries, suspense and action adventure, historical fiction, some literary
fiction and poetry. My degree is English Lit and I enjoy the classics as well.
So everything from Shakespeare to popular genre fiction.
Any favourite authors?
Sharon Sala is one of my favorite
romance authors. In other genres I like Sue Grafton, Alice Hoffman, Neil
Gaiman, and of course older authors like Shakespeare and Dickens.
Do you think that book covers are
important?
Very.
A cover should portray what genre the book is and some of what to expect inside
the book. It’s the first thing our readers see and first impressions count.
What is your favourite book?
That is very hard to decide. I love
fairy tales old and new and folktales. My favorites always have a happy ending.
What do you use as inspiration?
Everything. Literally. From the
rain pouring down outside right now (I am writing a scene today where the rain
is pouring down my heroines back so I might step outside just to feel that) to
the music playing on my laptop, to things I remember and thoughts of
imagination I have had. I step into the scenes of my book and often forget
where I am. Being a tactile person I pull that with me wherever I go.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Imaginative
Grateful
Paradoxical
At what age were you, or what event
happened, when you knew you loved writing and you were good at it?
I knew I loved writing from an
early age and was making up sing song stories before I could read and write,
but knowing I was good at writing, that didn’t happen until college. I had
poems published in literary journals. I was an English Tutor and in Lambda Iota
Tau, the English Honor Society, and I won two categories of the writing
competition, in fiction and creative nonfiction, so I was having success with
short stories as well. It took me a while to figure out which direction I
wanted to seriously pursue full time with my writing and even writing romance
novels I still write short stories and poetry on the side.
Do you base your characters on real
people or are they completely imagined?
They are completely imagined but
may have a small trait or a mannerism of someone I have watched and listened
to.
What authors have inspired you
along the way?
I’ve had some wonderful mentors
along the way. Dusty Richards challenged me to write a novel instead of short
stories, Bobbi Smith sat with me and went over the first three chapters of my
first book, Lucy Monroe gave me great career guidance. Sharon Sala inspires me
every day with her Facebook posts and her example. As well as every author
whose books I have read and loved. Good books inspire me and I have had many
generous authors give me advice over the years.
Besides writing what do you enjoy
doing?
I
love to travel and visit the beach. But as there is no beach near my home I
enjoy going to movies and listening to music instead.
Do you have any signings coming up?
I have a private signing at a
senior community but nothing else scheduled as I’m devoting the entire month of
September and most of October to writing my next book, Dancing Butterfly as
well as working on To Catch an Elf: Pennsylvania Fighter Pilot.
