Questions and Answers Doranna Durgin first novel 'Dun Lady's Jess' was published in 1995 and won her the Compton Crook/Stephen Tall award for the best first book in the fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres. She holds a degree in wildlife illustration and environmental education, and is an animal lover owning dogs and horses. What are you currently working on? Changespell Legacy, the third book in the world of Dun Lady's Jess. Lots of fun; it's coming right along without much prodding. I love it when that happens! I've also got a couple of proposals in the works and a couple more out on editors' desks. As usual, just enough going on so I'm never sure if I'm coming or going. What are your favourite and least favourite words? Favorite-- try, persist, and heart. Least--can't, don't, and wrong. If you could have one wish granted what would it be? To be healthy. Getting the rest of it is up to me. Is writing your full time occupation, if not what is? It is, and it isn't. Making a living as a fiction novelist is...a whole lot harder than most people think it is. As it happens, it's my full-time occupation, but if I were able, I'd still be carrying a part-time job--probably professional pet grooming or working with horses as I've done before. What was your first professional sale? How did it feel when you received the acceptance? Dun Lady's Jess, which won the Compton Crook award. I'm not sure there's any other feeling like it...except maybe when I walked into a con and found--unexpected, because it was early--the book on the dealer table. I went into orbit and stayed there for a good long time in both cases. Who is your favourite author? I'm not sure it's possible to pin that down. I have so many, and I admire them each for different aspects of their work. Plus for each author I generally have a favorite time period of their career--authors change and explore along the way, after all, and sometimes what they grow toward isn't what I'm looking for, or sometimes they grow from a writer who didn't interest me into someone who does. At various times for various books I've admired Barbara Hambly, Linda Howard, Katherine Kurtz, Judith Tarr, Jennifer Roberson, Mike Stackpole, Tim Zahn...and that's just scratching the surface. If you could give one piece of advice to a would-be author, what would it be? Learn the business aspect of the publishing industry as assiduously as you polish your writing skills. Without that knowledge, you can't make wise decisions about your writing. When did you first decide that you wanted to be an author? Hmmm. I wrote my first book in 7th grade and it was full speed ahead, but it wasn't until I was 22 that I decided to make a serious effort at getting published. Until then I just wrote to write. When did you first feel that you were an author? I always felt I was a writer. I didn't feel I was an author until Dun Lady's Jess hit the shelves. Are you for or against e-books? For or against? Neither. I'm for fair contracts, good business and publishing practices, and quality product with respect for writer copyrights (ie, some kind of social pressure on pirating and thievery or some token attempt to discourage the same). Right now it's very, very rare to find all those things in one place, and thus just as rare that I consider e-books to be a professional product. I do, however, believe that this will change. What's the one question you have never been asked in an interview that you wished you had? And what would be your answer? About my critters! I have three Cardigan Wesh Corgis: Carbon Unit (Kacey), Jean-Luc Picardigan, and Belle....I long to have a hound in the house again, but am waiting for the right time. And there's a very opinionated and personable Arab in the back yard named Phoenix Fire; we work in classical dressage (which is what you'd expect from a former Lipizzan owner). There's "nothing" like having a horse in your back yard! Are you a music fan? If so, what? I love music. I don't listen to the radio--the length and tone of the commercials drive me stark raving mad--but if I did it would be to a classical or country or softish pop station. I prefer music with melody and a ballad-like quality, and I write to soundtracks. (No words when I'm writing, too distracting). My favorites are Zimmer and Horner and some of Williams'; I've got a pretty good collection. I generally hunt out a few new CDs at the start of each book, and set up my CD player with twelve or so scores that I listen to throughout writing the entire manuscript--different scores for different scene moods. SF, Skiffy or Sci-Fi? What is the correct shortening of Science Fiction and does it matter? It matters to me, simply because I've heard Sci-Fi used as a pejorative so often, and when I hear someone say "SF," I know it carries a connotation of respect. With the appearance of the Sci-Fi channel, I fear this fight is lost, but then again language and culture are an evolving thing... Do you have a favourite place to write? My recliner, with the laptop, in my office with the music and my favorite artwork and my books. Dogs hanging quietly around the chair (they know the sound of my floppy disk writing the backup at the end of each session and bound into action when they hear it). Do you enjoy book signings/conventions? Not bookstore signings. Those are usually (though not always) miserable things. Long stretches of smiling at strangers, at least one of whom will ask you where to find a certain book in the store and another who wants to know where the bathroom is. I love conventions, though. Not the panels so much, but meeting people on a less formal basis and chatting away. What book are you reading at the moment? I've got several books going right now. A research book on horse behavior, a book on horse color and genetics, one of John Vornholt's Trek books, and The Golden Key by Roberson, Rawn, and Elliott. Which one I pick up depends on my mood. What's your main ambition? To climb out of the mid-list. Is there something you are particularly proud of? Surviving this far in a very tough industry. Plug away - what do you have coming out? Star Trek: TNG--Tooth & Claw came out in February; A Feral Darkness (Baen) just hit the shelves this week (May 21). In October, Tor will publish Earth Final Conflict: Heritage. Many Thanks, Doranna Relevant Links Doranna Durgin Main Bibliography Doranna Durgin Short Story Guide Doranna Durgin's Web Site