Dani's Here

Isn’t this exciting? We have our own blog. Thanks Blondie..er..I mean Tia!

So let me introduce myself, I’m Dani, the other half of Tia Dani author. I’m an Arizona gal, born and raised in this sunny state. I live with my husband of almost 30 years and I have 4 kids and 2 grandkids. (Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, but I’m young at heart).

I’ve always had a passion for storytelling. I’m sure I got this from my father. My father was a great storyteller. He was a guy who knew enough about everything to tell a good story and he was extremely funny. He had a dry wit and he could make you laugh at the most unexpected times. Needless to say my childhood was very enjoyable. I wish he had lived long enough to see his grandchildren and give them memories like I had. Another thing I regret is that he didn’t put any of his stories down on paper. I think that is one reason I seemed driven to write mine. I want to leave my mark on the world as does Tia.

Anyway, back to how I began writing. I started reading romances when I was 19. My mother-in-law gave me one of hers and I was immediately hooked! There was always a half read paperback next to my bed, in the livingroom and in the car. (I read on trips not while I was doing the driving). But it wasn’t until I became a empty-nester and had a void in my life that needed to be filled that I began to think about writing seriously. At our local library I met Diana Gabaldon and listened to her talk about how her characters spoke to her and I realized, "Yes, they speak to me too. I can write a book!" I mean how hard could it be. Obviously I knew nothing about plot layers, POV and my writing style (style, huh?).

Luckily a friend of mine suggested that I take some writing classes and maybe join a local RWA chapter. That was where I met Tia and my life changed. We had an instant bond, she took me under her wing and convinced me that I can do anything I set my mind on. We spent almost everyday together writing, side by side, and then it hit us. "Let’s write a story together!"

Tia Dani was born. Why erotica? It was one of those, seems like a good idea at the time, moments. I mean if you’re doing something for fun let’s really have some fun. And we did. We wrote Layover and giggled all the way through it. Sometimes we laughed to hard tears streamed down our faces. Especially when we had to read aloud words we would never say. We’re getting better at it now. We don’t blush quite so easily.

Here’s something we’re excited about. We entered the Brava Novella Contest! It was a last minute decision. I mean we barely got under the wire, but we’re in with Color Of Dreams. I don’t know a lot about this contest except that the 20 finalists are read by Kate Duffy. I do know that some really wonderful authors are entered so you’ll have to check back to see how we’re doing. I’ll let you know just as soon as I hear anything.

We have about 4 projects going on right now. I’m not sure which one will be finished first, but we have made a commitment to see what we can do over the next year. I have a feeling it will be a wild ride and I had better hang on tight.
Dani