Interview with Destiny Blaine
By Tasha Fisher

RRT:   How does it feel to have your dream of being a writer come true?

DB:   I am finally doing what I should have been doing all of my life. I think because I finally "belong" somewhere that I'm content and before I started writing full-time, I simply floated through life. I was once told "you never choose your career but instead, it chooses you" but it took awhile for mine to find me!!! However, once it did, my life changed and wow, I didn't know you could have such a good time working!

RRT:   How do you inspire yourself? Does your family inspire you? If so How?

DB:   I worked in the hospitality industry and was on the road, so to speak. I was away from my family the biggest part out of each month. One day, I'd simply had enough and that's when I came home for good and to pursue writing. I basically returned from a job I'd been on in Louisville, Kentucky for a couple of weeks and told my husband that I wasn't going back. Mortified, he asked me what I planned to do for an income, and I told him I was going to write. Needless to say, he wasn't impressed. However, when I made up my mind, I did so with very little doubt that I could do it. I never turned back and I've never regretted it because I have a reason to write -- it allows me to stay home with my children! That's all the inspiration I need.

RRT:   In one of your profiles, you state that you write not only Romantica but also Non-fiction and mainstream fiction under a different name, what other name do you write under?  Can you give us a list of some of the titles?

DB:   Right now, I have four books out and listed on Amazon under my real name. I appreciate the fact that readers have respected the fact that I need to keep these two names separate for the time being. My daughter is in middle school, and because I want to protect her and her privacy, I elected to keep the two names separate which has been a challenge at times. However, the minute she goes to high school or proves to be mature enough to handle the connection with my pen name and what I write, I plan to connect the two names because I think it will be much easier on many different levels. Until
then, I hope everyone will understand why I chose to keep my other books (and name separate).

I do a lot of ghost writing, and because of the ghost writing, I was able to "break" into writing as a full-time career in 2005. I write on a variety of subjects but primarily memoirs. It seems everyone has a life story to tell, and when they do, I love it when they choose me to help them share their story with others. The ghost writing has allowed me to work from home because of the income it provides while I write my own stories and build my own writing career.

RRT:   How did it feel when you found out that one of your stories was nominated for an award?  What was the first thing you did after finding out? Who was the first person you told?

DB:   Oh my goodness; I think the first nomination I received I told my friend and MGP editor/author Wendi Felter. If not, it was probably my hubby. I can't remember now for some reason! I don't even know where I was at the time now! I know it was for the Preditors and Editors Nomination but I had so much going on during the nomination that I don't remember now
anything other than being really, really surprised. The nomination was for Murder by Numbers and if someone had asked me which one of my stories would be nominated for such an honor, I don't think I would have thought Murder by Numbers. That said, it still remains my favorite short story to date, and it was the first erotica short story I ever wrote!

RRT:   How did your family feel when you first told them that you were going to be a writer?

DB:   My husband was scared initially because we knew I had to bring in an income or we couldn't make it. However, my children thought it was pretty neat, and two of my siblings have been very supportive. Oh, sure, you get the smart comments like "starving artist -- does that apply to writers too?" Of course, anything like that and the person behind the comment has just invited me over for dinner! Overall, the reaction was positive.

RRT:   It's stated on your website that you're a football fan. Who is your favorite team? Least favorite?

DB:   Teams or do you mean the men on the teams? (Smile) See, I never allowed myself to have a favorite until the last two years or so because I watch football for reasons other than just to see the cute little guys run up and down the field -- I love the sport of it and follow the teams, stats, lines, and whatnot. I basically like every team in the NFL but Peyton Manning and The Colts are a favorite. However, with the Tennessee Titans in my back door and new beginnings for the team, I may add a favorite! I don't have a least favorite.

RRT:   I also found out that you like casinos; what games do you like to play, and can we expect one of your books to be based in one?

DB:   I do have a favorite and like so many casino players, I'm playing some poker now which has been interesting. I have an erotica short story that is casino-based that will be finished soon as well.  I also have one novel that is a suspense novel that I put into the "pipeline" yesterday, and today, it has 1,000 words! Are you ready to buy it yet??? (Smile)

RRT:   You have three series out, the Seductive Mistress Series, The Tellers-Triangles of Deception and The Truth Chronicles. Can you tell us a little about each series and what inspired them?

DB:   I'll start with the more controversial and work my way through!

The Truth Chronicles (Defining Bliss) is a series that became inspired by several women whom I have listened to and joined in with their life gripes for many years. These women are various ages, and we've all been friends for a long time. Often, after a girls-night-out, I would write in my journal, and not long ago, I pulled the older journals out and just went into hysterics. That's when I decided it had to become public. While some of the material covered is sarcastic and witty, it is going to offend some people (not intended but it will). The character "Remy" is the voice of several women rolled into one, and this girl is one dysfunctional chic once she emerges with the brain power of several sassy, independent, women. Every time I've posted excerpts from Defining Bliss, I've gotten a comment from at least one reader via e-mail so I know what we're facing with the series. I just hope everyone will remember it is fiction! The inspiration came from real women but Defining Bliss, is fiction because there are several voices, ideas, and recordings that represent one voice!

The Seductive Mistress Series is one inspired by real life -- not mine of course -- I'm pretty dull, but life as many people discover it. The fact is: some people cheat. Another fact of life: when they do, it's often a stormy affair of the heart as much as it is anything else. There's romance and candy and flowers and URGH! No one wants to hear it. I know this and I know that's why it is often a hard sell but I'm finding with this series, because I never fully introduced "the wife" in the first short story, she is easily thought of as "the other woman" once she is introduced, which allows the reader to side with the mistress (I think).

The only inspiration I needed for "A Christmas to Remember" was the NFL and walah!  The story does have some sex scenes but it isn't anything like The Mistress Series, so if you want lighter sex scenes, true love, and romance, this is probably going to be the series for you.

RRT:   In Becoming a Mistress, you introduced Hope Taylor. Can we expect to see more of her in the future?

DB:   Hope will be around for quite some time!

RRT:   You have a great mystery in Murder by Numbers. Can you tell us a little about it?

DB:   It was my first MGP release and it is still my favorite, even though I know it could have been much better. Murder by Numbers brought in good reviews and was nominated for one of the Preditor and Editor short story categories in their annual awards, which was really a thrill. In fact, though it didn't win, it remained in the top three positions for a number of
days, which was exciting.

Murder by Numbers is about two young women who are very in touch with their sexuality -- almost to a fault -- and how they use sex to get what they want. Those wants, by the end of the tale, prove to be very different and spell out murder!

RRT:   I see where you state that you like to read different genres; will we be seeing some paranormal or fantasy books in your future?

DB:   Yes, but I'm not sure when!

RRT:   Which is harder, writing the beginning of a story or the ending?

DB:   The middle. (smile)

RRT:   I know you like to read as well as write.  If you could write with one author from every genre, who would they be?

DB:   Fantasy: Jaid Black -- based on Tremors and her proven track record.

Mystery: Okay, I'd love to do a cowboy/mystery with Sage Burnett. I'm working on a novella entitled "Last Man Hanging" and I would gladly cut it back down to about 10,000 words and stick it in an anthology with Sage Burnett and Cara North (who do up cowboys better than anyone) and then add in Dahlia Rose and Missy Lyons (outstanding authors I'd like to see write
about cowboys too) Then, we'd have something to talk about! (Smiles)

Paranormal: Without a doubt -- Jaden Sinclair -- her work speaks for itself.

Sci-Fi:  I'm not into sci-fi right now, so I have no idea

Action: hmmm...Lin Random. I think she'd be a fun person to work with, and I could learn a lot from her. I'd probably want to do a mystery with her as well -- she is obviously a leader in the genre!

BDSM: Another Sinclair woman -- Skylar Sinclair -- she knows how this type of story is done!! Take a look at Sex slave...anything that pushes the envelope, and I want to be rubbing shoulders with her!

M/M: Jet Mykles, hands down! Jet's the master at M/M!

RRT:   I hear that you are participating in the Author Free for All at the Dark Ice Goddess Musings blog site.  Can you tell us the date and web link so that we can be sure to stop by?

DB:   Yes, it's on March 21st! --   http://darkicegoddessmusings.blogspot.com/2006/12/im-azy-errr-i-mean.htm

I'm also chatting it up at the following loops too! 3/12/07 -- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BrendaWilliamsonRomanceParty/  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BrendaWilliamsonRomanceParty/

RRT:   How can our readers get in contact with you?

DB:   They can always reach me at my loop post which is  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/destinyblaine_romance/  even when I'm out of town or unavailable, someone is there chatting or answering questions for aspiring writers and avid readers which is really neat!

And my website will be fully operational by 2/14 and it is   http://www.destinyblaine.com

Also, anyone can contact me at  destinyblaine@yahoo.com.  I love to hear from readers. I do answer my "friend" mail even if it isn't friendly! For example, I like to hear what readers think and I appreciate their input. I can honestly say, I've heard it all about Defining Bliss and there isn't even a release date yet but I'm anxious to get it out because every post I make about it generates fun letters -- people are in for quite a ride with this series!

RRT:   Thanks for visiting us at RRT.

DB:   Thank you for having me as your guest!!!