Author Interview: Souled by Diana Murdock Plus Orangeberry Summer Splash Kindle Giveaway

Welcome to Author Diana Murdock

California-grown, now in Idaho, writer of women’s fiction and Young Adult paranormal with enough energy to write, raise two boys, run, and dream – but not always in that order.

https://twitter.com/diana_murdock
http://www.dianamurdock.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diana-Murdock-Author/114706771907294

Interview:
If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

Lots of pens, paper, and a camera.  I could spend hours writing what goes on in my head, and if I were fortunate enough to be rescued, all of my scribbling might make for a good story.  And pictures… ya gotta have pictures. 

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Anything with caramel in it.  Better than fudge.  My favorite is vanilla ice cream with ribbons of caramel in it.  Perhaps chocolate or vanilla with caramel topping on it. 

If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose?

Michael Jackson.  He was an amazing and terribly misunderstood person.  Being in the spotlight could only enhance the shield he would have to erect in order to protect what set him apart.  There seemed to be so much to him.

Night owl, or early bird?

Early bird.  I used to be a night owl, but as I get wiser, I find my most productive hours are before everyone wakes up. 

One food you would never eat?

Escargot.  I don’t want to disrespect another person’s choice of food, but, umm, yeah.  Not for me. 

Skittles or M&Ms?

M&Ms.  One word – chocolate. 

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

It might make you think… “what if?”

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects? 

I’ve started the sequel to Souled, which I’m excited to give voice to Justin and Alyx.  I’m going to begin a women’s fiction that has been patiently waiting to be written for the last two years. 

What inspired you to want to become a writer?

As a child I never felt I had a voice, having very domineering parents in a very dysfunctional family.  Writing was always an outlet for me.  Through my characters I can speak and at the same time, they have a voice as well. 

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

The support I’ve received from my friends and family has been unreal.  So many have stepped up and helped promote my writing or simply, and just as importantly, given me the “like” support. 

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?

For Souled, it was “I Will Not Bow,” by Breaking Benjamin.  For the sequel, it’ll be “The Animal” by Disturbed.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Italy. That country just resonates somehow with me. 

When you were little, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?

A singer.  I used to do sing in front of the mirror for hours and sing with a brush for a microphone (but who didn’t?).

How did you know you should become an author?

When my family got tired of hearing me talk.  I needed a place to flesh out my feelings and dreams.  I love weaving stories and to integrate a part of me into the words. 

Favorite Candy?

York Peppermint Patties.  Mounds Bars.  Big weakness. 

How do you react to a bad review?

It’s always kind of a sting to the ego, but I always remember that not everyone will enjoy the story, just as I don’t enjoy every story I read.  I do appreciate it when the review is constructive, especially if it points out something I haven’t thought of.  Differing viewpoints are important. 

If you were a bird, which one would you be?

An eagle.  Pretty much top of the food chain, but also regal, calm, totally together.

You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?

Time.  Then I would buy a big, big house with lots of rooms, fill them with beds and clothes, hire cooks and counselors, teachers and trainers, add a swimming pool and gather up all the runaways off the streets and get them clean, and empower them with skills and lots of love, so they can go outside with lots of confidence to conquer the world. 

What do you do in your free time? 

I run, read, Skype my friend in Italy.  I am learning “la bella lingua” in anticipation of my visit next spring!  I also love to hang out with my boys. 

Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your day starting when you wake up till you lie down again.

From about 3:00 a.m. until noon, I do the day job thing, typing medical reports.  After that I try to tackle a To Do list that includes book marketing, answering emails, driving the boys around, working out, and writing.  Being a single mom, not all things get close to being done. 

What's your favorite season/weather?

Summer.  I need sun.  It doesn’t matter if it is hot or mild.  Just sun. 

Favorite places to travel?

Anywhere that is sunny.  Although I love, love, love, my home, the winters are long, so I’d like to break it up with some warmth and sunshine. Generally anywhere south.

Favorite music?

Breaking Benjamin, Disturbed, Seether, Avenged Sevenfold.

In your wildest dreams, which author would you love to co-author a book with?

J.K. Rowling.  I would love to mesh our imaginations together somehow!

Souled

What 17-year-old boy wouldn’t be tempted by the promise of power and control – no matter what form that promise came in?
Seth knew exactly what he would do with power and control. He’d be well on his way to a wrestling scholarship, his dad could stop working so hard to make ends meet, and he’d forever have the heart of his girlfriend, Sandpoint High’s most beautiful girl.
For Seth, the temptation was much too strong to resist. And why should he? The way he saw it, he had everything to gain.
But when he unknowingly invites another soul to share his body, Seth discovers that not all power is good – especially when it was never his to wield. And when the soul reveals its true intentions, will Seth have the strength to fight it or would death be less painful?

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