Dara Girard pens The Black Stockings Society series

Dara Girard is a multi-published author, speaker, and publisher willing to talk about all aspects of the publishing industry. After many novels in various sub-genres from contemporary to paranormal romance and a non-fiction book for writers called, The Writer Behind the Words: Steps to Success in the Writing Life, Ms. Girard continues to win readers with each new book. She lives in Maryland.

Dara also took a risk -- choosing to live off her savings in the pursuit of a full-time writing career, and even though she doesn't recommend that route for others, it worked for her.

Let's learn more about Dara.

Hi Dara and welcome to Examiner.  Let's start with a brief introduction. Who is Dara Girard?

I was born in the American Midwest to an immigrant couple who were brave enough to call themselves my parents. I started writing stories around six and by twelve I was submitting my work to publishers certain that I’d be published by fourteen. However, thirteen years passed before I got ‘The Call’ and my first book was published in November 2003. So when I tell aspiring authors about perseverance, I know what I’m talking about.  I’m a happy feminist (yes there are unhappy ones and I’ve met them) who enjoys writing romance novels because the woman is the ‘hero’ rather than just a sidekick or a prize to be won. I presently live in Maryland and I am working on my next book.

You have a new book out. We’d love to hear about it.

It’s called Round the Clock and it’s the last book in my Black Stockings Society series about four women, one club and a secret that will make all their fantasies come true. Round the Clock focuses on Anna Marie Williams. Anna Marie has always tried to please everyone until her life changes and she receives a sizable inheritance. So she quits her job, dumps her lazy boyfriend and accepts an invitation from The Black Stockings Society. And as a member, the society helps this unassuming woman discover her naughty side and capture the man of her dreams.

Readers can find out more about The Black Stockings Society  from the book video on my website.

When writing, do you start with character or plot?

It depends on the story. Sometimes it’s a bit of dialogue. Sometimes a character other times a plot. In my first book Table for Two, my heroine Cassie came to me fully formed. With Round the Clock the idea started as ‘what if?’ ‘What if’ has been the catalyst behind the entire series: What if four women from different backgrounds got a chance to make their dreams come true? And in each story I try to answer that question, which has been a lot of fun.

What does your writing schedule look like? Are you a morning writer? A night owl?

I’m a mixture of both. I write well in the mornings and the evenings, but I’m creatively dead in the afternoons so I don’t even bother. I use the afternoon to attend to other aspects of the writing business like answering correspondence and book promotion or goofing off by going to the park or mall.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

To help aspiring writers, I put most of my advice into my non-fiction book The Writer Behind the Words: Steps to Success in the Writing Life.  I also have many links and articles posted on my website—http://www.daragirard.com/articles/index.php. I always tell aspiring authors to keep writing no matter what. Get a rejection? Keep writing. Don’t final in a contest? Keep writing. An agent or editor turns you down? Keep writing.  That’s the one thing you can control in this industry. The formula for getting published is very simple: Write. Submit. Repeat.  You do that until you get a ‘yes’ and you only need one ‘yes’ to start your career. Don’t let the no’s get in your way. The key is perseverance.

What is your next project?

Words of Seduction is the current manuscript I’m working on and it is scheduled to be released March 2010. I hope this book will be part of a trilogy about three female writers whose love lives are nothing to write home about, but who soon discover passion goes beyond the page!

Do you put a lot of effort into promotion?

I maintain a website and newsletter so I can keep in touch with readers and I also work with a fabulous multi-media specialist, Shannon Aviles, who is helping me grow my brand in creative ways. I have done some public speaking at libraries and attended a large book signing at a Romance Writers of America conference. But most of my marketing is online.

What else would you like to tell us?

It’s been a pleasure to be here and if anyone wants to know more about me, my books or to sign up for a contest, visit my website www.daragirard.com. I also have a fun newsletter where I let readers know what I’m up to.

Book blurb for Round the Clock

Rebel made good meets good girl gone wild…

Anna Marie has spent too long trying to please everybody else. Now, thanks to an unexpected inheritance, she’s got a new lease on life. Her first step? Accepting the invitation to the Black Stockings Society. Still, the scandalous fishnets she receives in her first package must be a mistake. Anna Marie would never dare wear something so outrageously sexy to a meeting with her lawyer…would she?

In high school, Desmond Rockwell was a rebel barely aware of Anna Marie’s existence, or the fact that she had a major crush on him. But he can’t ignore the bold, seductive woman who has come to him seeking legal advice, unleashing a sizzling attraction that proves that some things are definitely worth the wait…

Purchase Links

Dara's book can be purchased at:

BarnesandNoble.com

Amazon.com 

Books-A-Million.com

Other author interviews you may be interested in reading:

Diana Lawrence

Marcia James