AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Keta Diablo

J.K.: Hello and welcome! Can you tell us a little bit about your current release and what inspired you to write it?

KETA: Land of Falling Stars is my most current release in male/female erotica. The novel was the brain-child of an article I read about two cousins who fought on opposite sides during the Civil War. A true story, ironically, the county border ran between their properties. One county was partial to the North, the other to the South. That launched a tiny seed and sent me down a thinking path of “what-ifs”. What if two men who loved the same woman fought for opposite sides; and what if one was killed on a smoke-filled battlefield by the other. And what if the man who shot his best friend had to deliver the horrific news to the woman they loved? So you can see where there is going. Of course, there are numerous subplots and external conflicts that also arise in Land of Falling stars because without those, I wouldn’t have much of a story.


J.K.: What do you feel is the most important thing that a first-time author should know?

KETA: The basic rules of writing; point of view, sentence structure, overuse of any word, proper grammar and a host of other rules we are taught to abide by. I’m truly amazed at the number of authors who have never learned them, and yet have been published. I think first-time authors should know all future writing is hard, hard work, as is promoting and marketing it after it’s released.


J.K.: What do you hope for your writing career in the next few years? Any goals that you have yet to obtain that you have set for yourself?

KETA: I try not to set goals; they generally don’t pan out. Publishing is a fickle arena, and I sort of just plug along; write the best books I’m capable of and then enjoy the accomplishments if they come my way. I think so much of it has to do with timing, being in the right place at the right time, whether that’s with a publisher or an agent. I don’t like that aspect of it. I think writers should be rewarded by the hard work they’ve put into their novels, and not by the fickle finger of fate.


J.K.: Sometimes people envision an author’s life as being really glamorous. I like to set them straight, so tell us what’s the most unglamorous thing you’ve done in the past week?

KETA: I’m with you, J.K. Many readers think we ride around in limos and eat bonbons every day. Not me; that’s for sure. Writing for me is a very solitude existence, generally it’s me and my computer day after day, unless you count the fat cat curled up on my desk or the Sheltie at my feet. The most unglamorous thing I do three times a week is empty “Emma’s” litter box. How’s that for unglamorous?


J.K.: What are you currently reading or watching on television?

KETA: I seldom watch television – no time. I do, however, catch American Idol every week. I don’t have much time for reading either, but I try to read a chapter each night of the current book I’m into. Right now that’s Red Fire by Deidre Knight.


J.K.: Do you have a pesky day job?

KETA: I’m very fortunate that I don’t, however, that has only recently come about. I can’t imagine working full-time and keeping up with the writing, marketing, and e-mails. I write for four publishers under Keta Diablo and two others under a pen name; so you can see what my life consists of.


J.K.: If you were to write yourself as a superhero, what kind of superhero would you be? What would you be named?

KETA: I’m quite a feminist and therefore have paid attention throughout the years to women’s issues. One thing that greatly concerns me is the violence against women and children. So in this vein, if I could be a superhero, I’d have the power to ignite objects with my fingers. I think it would a relief to know that when you walk to your car at night in a darkened parking lot or enter an elevator in a secluded ramp, you have protection. If anyone messes with you, you start them on fire. Lord, maybe I should write horror instead of erotica.


J.K.: If you were a world ruler and you were given a choice of 3 laws to redact because you thought they were just stupid, which ones would they be and how would you want them changed?

KETA: Oh-oh, now you’re asking me for some political views. I’m not for freedom of choice, despite my slant toward feminism. I have too much respect for human life in any form, so that law would change.

I’d make certain the enormous amount of money flowing to other countries would stop until we’ve taken care of all the homeless people in this country.

And finally, I’d redact any type of law that withheld health insurance from women and children, mostly children. Every child in the US would automatically be enrolled in an optimal health care plan without restrictions.


J.K.: You’re the HEROINE of your book, why do you fall in love with the HERO?

KETA: Because he makes me laugh. Of course, he’s handsome and dashing and can slay dragons and villains without batting on eye. But when he falls off his horse, I want him to be able to laugh at himself. He can be the most gorgeous creature God ever breathed life into, but if he’s missing a sense of humor; he’ll soon by missing me.


J.K.: If you were the HERO of your book, why would you fall in love with the HEROINE?

KETA: Because she’s not only beautiful, but she’s self-reliant and can hold her own against a scoundrel like me.


J.K.: Keta, thank you so much for being here, and before we go, let us know what’s coming next for you.

KETA: Thank you for asking me, J.K. What author doesn’t like to talk about their future books? Due to the popularity of Land of Falling Stars (which was just selected by the publisher for print) Ravenous Romance has asked me to write a full-length sequel. They have also asked me to write another Civil War based on two male characters. In the interim, I write novellas for Phaze Publishing and the Dark Roast Press and full-length novels for Noble Romance.

Thank you again for inviting me. I really enjoyed your questions.


Author Bio:

Keta Diablo writes erotic historicals for Ravenous Romance and Noble Romance. She also writes gay fiction for Phaze and the Dark Roast Press. You can find her on the web at the following places.

http://ketadiablo.blogspot.com
http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com
http://thestuffofmythandmen.blogspot.com

Please stop by and enter her contest to win free books or sign one of her guest books.


Blurb from Land of Falling Stars

From Crave More Romance (Five-Star review)
Land Of The Falling Stars is a five star time warp back to civil war era. From the first few pages of Diablo’s novel, I knew her heroine was one I would enjoy following. Sophia reminded me of Scarlett O’Hara in all the right ways. I loved watching her fight for what was important to her and loved watching her discover the depth of her feelings for Gavin Langdale, her childhood friend.