Here at Danville Public Library, we are proud to feature the works of more than 150 local authors. Each Monday, we are featuring one of our beloved local authors by sharing a bit about them and their work.
This week, we feature local author, Donna Carlene.
Donna lives here in Danville with her husband–fellow local author, Karl Witsman. We asked her a few questions about her past and present work, her favorite books, and what her writing process is like.
What made you decide to start writing? Did you (or do you currently) have another career?
Writing was never a conscious decision. I was that kid on the school playground that had a “plot” for the favorite show we were all watching and “recreating” the day after it aired. I wrote my own “Star Trek” and “Man from U.N.C.L.E.” stories by the time I was a freshman in high school. My first published poem was in a local newspaper that had a monthly column for local HS seniors. I was a secretary/bookkeeper for Ross Township for several years, which led me to being the same for a local florist. I also tutored in reading and English for adults in the local Readers Route for 20 years.
What do you love about writing? What is challenging about it?
There’s nothing to love about writing. It’s just a part that demands coming out. It’s only become challenging lately. I’ve written so much, it seems it’s all been written.
Do you have a writing routine? Daily? Whenever the fancy hits you?
I’m a Sagittarius and thus a procrastinator. I only write when my characters can’t stand not being heard any longer.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure in writing? Which was the hardest?
My favorite story was written just for me and will probably never be published. It’s based on a teenage fantasy of mine. The hardest was Dragons and Wizards. Although I read a lot of fantasy, I know almost nothing about the genre. It started as a collaboration and my partner was supposed to write the dragon parts. But I felt I owed it to him to finish it (25 years later).
What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to young or beginning writers?
Surround yourself with real creatives and listen to them. They’ll be harsh and that’s what we all need. Relatives and friends are nice but not really all that helpful. And don’t expect to make money, especially in the beginning. It takes more work to make yourself known than to write your book. Isn’t that encouraging?
You’re stranded on an island with one book (written by another author). Which book did you bring?
Kirkland Revels by Victoria Holt. I found this book in grade school and read it so much it fell apart and I had to buy a new one. It’s also the book that started me collecting writers. I have all of Holt’s books, including the ones under her two pen names.
Any books in progress at the moment? Expected publishing date?
I just published Name of the Father, which is the 4th in my Hunters Ridge series. I anticipate publishing Vacation, which is the 4th in my Beth & Hill series by April or May. I’m currently working on another Hunters Ridge book, tentatively titled Angie Baby.
We’re so grateful for this author’s participation in our featured post. Be sure to check out all of Donna’s books on the shelves at Danville Public Library!
