Five-Minute Speed Dating (I need your help, please.)

The short version: If you love to read, I need your help. No prizes for taking it, but it’s anonymous and you’ll have my sincere gratitude for less than 3 minutes of your time. If you get my newsletter, you know why I’m doing this. If you don’t get my newsletter, the long version is below on why I’m running a survey if you are interested. Regardless, please take the survey!

While I’ve never done speed dating before, and not really interested given I’ve been through two husbands already (actually, maybe I should have, I might have made better choices. <smile>), I thought this might be a great way to get your attention so you’ll know: If you’re a reader, I’d love to get to know you! And what you like when it comes to reading.

Yes, this involves a survey, but it can be totally anonymous unless you want to send me an email in addition! Still, we authors love our readers, and without you, there would be no reason for us to write our stories, so I’d love to know more about you. Specifically, I’d love to know your reading habits, so I have created this short survey.

For the getting to know me part, I seem to be too quickly pushing on past middle age (soon will be dragging it, I guess), and since I was an only child and only grandchild in the days before Internet (or even cable TV) I spent a lot of time with imaginary friends. Which led to writing, so yeah, I’ve made up and written stories for most of my life. I write mostly action-packed suspense thriller stories with a touch of romance, but  I also love writing historical and contemporary romances.

I have six children and six grandchildren. My two youngest children are still at home. My focus has always been on my family, with writing secondary; thus my rather erratic publishing schedule. I have homeschooled all of them, I’ve coached their soccer teams and gymnastic teams. This last year, though, my husband (now ex) skipped the country, leaving me and my youngest two children who are still at home, behind. The youngest is a special needs child. And thus the need for this survey.

Last year I tried working part-time, it did not go well. Created all sorts of havoc and stress in the youngest one’s life which caused a lot of problems for his sister and me, as well, despite intensive therapy. This year, I have the opportunity to turn my writing into a full-time business, and I want to make sure I’m focused on what my readers want. After all, readers are the backbone of a successful writer’s career. And have I mentioned? I do love and appreciate my readers! (Even if you haven’t read my books, if you’re a reader, I’d appreciate you taking the survey!)

Now, I look forward to getting to know you! If you would please take the 3 minutes or so to take this survey, I would really appreciate it. It will likely take you less time to take the survey than it took you to read this far. If there’s anything you want to add, or if you just want to chat, you can always send me a message through my contact form on my website here, or message me on Facebook: facebook.com/dianalaynebooks.

Here’s to a happy, successful 2018 for all of us! Just click the little box below and thank you in advance!

I’m including a picture of my desk that I just got cleaned out and organized. It was my mother’s desk, it’s not an expensive one, clearly, but it’s special to me (she died in 2012). You have to look quick, soon it will be covered with notes and research papers; it is rarely this clean and organized. (Yes, I have Star Wars toys and a Yoda cup . . . I’m a fan.) The little keyboard over to the side is a Neo Alphasmart. I use it to write my first drafts on so I won’t be tempted to play on the Internet. (I can really get lost in researching). If you can see the picture of the ’67 Mustang hanging on my Scooby Doo “wall art” (hung up to cover kid wall-art from younger days) that is one of the things I use for inspiration. A (used) ’67 Mustang was the first car I owned, and I hope to own one again, some day. (If you noticed, my character MJ, in Trust No One: A Spy Thriller drives a rebuilt ’67 Mustang.)

Oh, and one more thing…since this is the month of love, I’m keeping my newest book Nia, Be Mine: A Romance (and prequel to The Good Daughter: A Mafia Thriller), on sale for 99 cents through February. If you’ve read Nia, Be Mine, please consider leaving a review! Also, I might keep The Good Daughter: A Mafia Thriller on sale as well, but it’s definitely on sale now for 99 cents, so tell all your friends!