Debbie's Dusty Deliberations : Spotlighting Donna Walo Clancy with a GiveAway of a Signed Print Book

Bio

I was born in 1959 and that officially makes me old according to my kids. South Yarmouth on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA is my home. Happily divorced, yes, happily, I have three grown children who are my world and one ten pound, black and white Papillon dog, Zumiez, who makes me smile every day.

I enjoy walking the beaches, photography and day trips exploring new places. An avid concert goer, I have been known to hop in a car with my kids and follow a band up and down the east coast.
Summer Prescott Books Publishing recently signed me on as one of their new authors.

I knew that I wanted to be a writer way back in 1968 when I wrote my first book, A Day in the Life of Mr. Quarter, for a school project. But, being a single mom, my writing was put on the backburner behind working two to three jobs to keep my family supported.

Writing is my number one passion. I love to write cozy mysteries, paranormal stories, thrillers and an inspirational Christmas book once a year near the holiday. Reading runs a close second.

My published books can be found on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited.

“I love to walk the beaches metal detecting, plotting my next book. I walk and talk. People that pass by look at me like I am crazy and who knows… maybe I am, but my kids love me anyway.”

Interview

1 What is the first book that made you cry?

I can’t remember back that far. Recently, Wagging Tails in Heaven by Gary Kurz.

2 What book title best describes your life?

One of my first books, Keep the Faith, Ellen McGuire, was written about a single mom with young children and how she struggles to keep her family housed and fed. Many of the events in the book, happened in my real life as I raised my three children. This book is near and dear to my heart. Many times, in the last twenty years, I had to keep the faith and keep moving on.

3 If you could tell your younger writer self any advice, what would it be?

Edit, edit, edit! When I self-published my first book, The Baby Factory, I was so excited that I never had it properly edited or formatted. The story was awesome, but everything else, not so much. I have learned so much over the last six years since my first book was published. (I am going to rewrite The Baby Factory in the coming year and release a better written book.)

4 What made you want to become a writer?

It was just something that I always loved to do. I was an avid reader when I was younger, reading every book in the kid’s section that my local library had to offer. One thing led into another: reading to writing!

5 What book most influenced your life?

Books! Nancy Drew Mysteries were my favorite books. I spent endless hours reading them followed by endless hours making up my own mysteries based on those stories. Those books gave me the writing bug that never went away.

6 Does your family support your career as a writer?

Yes, they do. My children support me wholeheartedly because they know it has always been my dream to be a full-time writer.

7 Are your characters based on real people or do they come entirely from your imagination?

It’s a mix. Some of my characters are based on people I know; using a name change, of course! Others, like Gladys Twittle in my Jellies cozies, popped into my head while I was writing the first book of the series when I decided that the town needed a quirky gossiper.

8 Do your books teach a moral or a lesson?

My Christmas books have some kind of inspirational lesson behind them, but my other
books tend not to.

9 What have your experiences been like as an author?

There are ups and downs like in any thing you do in life. Every time I release a new book, a rush comes over me in anticipation of whether it will be received well or not. One of the highlights of my writing career so far is the wonderful people that I have met that read my books. The writing community, mixed with the reading community, is huge.

So many authors are willing to stretch out their hands to help fellow authors. I must have driven author Kathi Daley crazy with all the questions I fired at her, but with a wonderful show of patience, she answered all my questions and gave me the advice that I searched for to learn and grow.

Readers love their authors, and become loyal fans and friends along the journey.

I think one of the biggest lessons that I have learned is that you can’t please everybody with your stories. The first time I received a one star review I was devastated. The best advice that I received from a fellow author was to grow a thick skin because it would happen again. Read it and move on; maybe learn something from it and then put it behind you.

10 What are you most looking forward to in the next ten years?

I want to be able to constantly improve my writing techniques and learn new things.

I would love to be able to attend my first Bouchercon and other writing conferences around the country.

My biggest dream is to be able to add USA Best Selling Author next to my name.

I will continue to put out books in the genres that I write in now, but I would like to write in different genres as I go.

I have a private bucket list of things that I would like to see happen during my writing career and I will continue to aim for and accomplish those items.