Desiree Wilder
Desiree Wilder was born in South Dakota and grew up in a small town where she thrived in school and developed a love for reading and writing. Her younger days were filled hanging out with her older brother and younger sister riding bikes, playing board games and watching General Hospital. As a teen she became less interested in learning academics and became more interested in learning how to get into mischief without getting caught.
As an adult, Desiree loves cooking, shopping, reading, concert-going, camping and spending time with her crazy yet supportive family. She’d rather take the dirt road and crank up some eighty’s rock or some good ‘ol Hank Jr. than the paved fast track.
Just recently she started writing and something inside her came alive. It fulfilled her and unexpectedly took over what had become a robotic daily routine. She is a hopeless romantic and believes in love at first sight. Nowadays you can catch her doing ‘research’ for her next book at a concert or getting inspired for her next leading man in the romantic comedy section!
1. What got you into writing/ what made you sit down and write something? I loved to write when I was younger. I remember having several poems published in our little school writing showcase. Then, other things took precedence over my writing, yes, I’m talking about boys! Anyway, by the time I graduated high school I’d forgotten all about writing and how it made me feel. I got a job, got married, had babies, you know, all the real-life stuff. Never once, even as I looked desperately for something, did I consider writing. It was my sister-in-law who suggested I write. I sat down in front of my computer a couple of days later and as I typed, I found the creative outlet I’d needed for so long.
2. What is a usual writing day like for you? A usual writing day for me goes like this: Crawl out of bed, take my daughter to school, crank some tunes on the way home to not only wake me but inspire me, grab a cup of coffee and my laptop, get comfy on the futon downstairs, and go at it until I am either completely exhausted, or forced to stop by an intrusion, (i.e. phone call, doorbell, Schwan’s salesman, tornado, etc.). Pretty glamorous, huh?
3. Do you get writers block? If so, how do you overcome it? Fortunately I haven’t had much trouble with writer’s block as of yet. Sure, I get stuck on certain parts of the book where I take a couple of days off from writing to ponder different scenarios, but it’s usually more of a case of deciding which way to run, I’ve never actually stopped running.
4. Are you a plotter/planner when it comes to writing a sotry? When it comes to writing a story I’m not much of a plotter or planner. I know who I want my characters to be and I just start typing. Somewhere in the midst of it all I get a feeling of how I want the story to end and I head that direction. I love sitting back after I’ve feverishly typed for three hours straight and think, “I never saw that coming!” I never know what my characters are going to do or say until I get there. It’s exciting!
5. What was the publishing process like for you, & any advice to aspiring authors? The publishing process was a bit overwhelming to me. Keep in mind, not only had I not written anything in 20+ years, the only thing I’d read in that time was Fifty Shades of Grey. I had no clue about anything. I had no business doing what I was fortunate enough to be doing. I’d used Facebook, but had never used Twitter, Goodreads, or even been on Amazon. It was hell trying to get set up in social media and even when I did, I didn’t understand it! My publisher was patient and helpful and I’m grateful for that. My advice to aspiring authors is simple, keep it positive! Nothing is more powerful than BELIEVING you’re going to get where you want to be and KNOWING you can do it!
6. What has been your highlight since becoming a published author? I’d have to say the highlight for me since becoming a published author was the first time I actually held my book. I’d waited for FedEx all day. My heart pounded in my chest every time I thought I heard the truck come down my street. At four o’clock I had to head to work. I was sick knowing they’d be delivered while I was gone and I’d have to suffer through the next five hours empty-handed. As I backed out of my driveway I saw the truck pull up. The poor driver probably thought I was going to take him down on the lawn as I jumped out of my car to meet him halfway. When I opened the box and took one of the copies of Losing Control out, I was as proud of myself as I have ever been. It was a moment I’ll never, ever forget.
7. Can you share a little of your most recent book with us? My most recent published book, Total Control, is the last of the Losing Control series. I am completely content with the way the story turned out and very proud of it. I’d come a long way since the first book and my hope is that my readers will stick with the series all the way to the end. It’s sexy, funny, and heartbreaking at times but above all it’s a story of unconditional love and acceptance. I’ve just finished a spin-off to the Losing Control series with Sean as the main character. Sean was introduced about half way through Total Control and there was something about him that I couldn’t let go of. I had to give him his own story. Finally, I’ve started a new series that I’m very excited about! It’s untitled but book one is close to half-way written. The series revolves around four women in their early to mid-thirties who are close friends. My plan is to write four books in this series, focusing on one woman in each book. I love the dynamic us women have when we are surrounded by our friends and able to be ourselves, open and honestly. I really hope to convey that in this series while making you laugh, cry, and proud to be who you are.
8. Apart from writing, what do you do in your spare time? In my spare time I like to cook, shop, and spend time with my amazing family. Music is a big part of my everyday life. It inspires me and can change my mood in an instant. I love going to concerts and sharing the experience with the people around me. I also like to watch football, go camping, take bubble baths, read, and laugh.
9. If you could trade places with someone famous or not, dead or alive, who would it be & why? If I could trade places with someone for a week…hmm…without overthinking it I’m just going to say Anastasia Steele. Why you ask? Seriously, Christian Grey, that’s why!
10. Do you have anything you’d like to say to your readers? I’d like to say, “Thank you!” to all my readers. You’ve all been so good to me and I appreciate each and every one of you more than you know. I get emotional when I read your reviews of my work and whether you love it or hate it, it’s important to me to get the feed-back. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we should hit a concert together ‘cause I know you’re a bunch of party animals! Keep reading and be good to yourselves!
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