FEATURED AUTHOR: DIAMANTE LAVENDAR

ABOUT BREAKING THE SILENCE  

Based on a true story, a new novel from Diamante Lavendar. Joan Eastman was born like any other girl. However her life would prove to be a life of great pain . . . Growing up, she was treated differently by family members, powerless to defend herself against their sexual and psychological abuse. Feeling she had been dealt a wicked hand by the “powers that be,” she spiraled into substance abuse and troubled relationships. She became a victim of addiction and self-hatred. Not giving up, she becomes aware of a greater spiritual being that protects her and she begins to heal. Then she finds herself pregnant. She learns to understand nothing is hopeless; that with a changed view and self discovery, there is real hope in every situation, no matter how difficult. As she and her husband look forward to the birth of their child, she writes in her diary as a way of expelling all of the evil memories. On bed rest for the duration of her pregnancy, she endures tests and tribulations that at first she couldn’t begin to understand. But no matter how high the hurdles in Joan’s life are, she doesn’t look back, and pulls the pieces of her life together . . . for herself and her unborn child. This inspirational story speaks of Joan’s gradual self acceptance and healing of her body, mind and spirit. It speaks of the possibilities of the future and the fulfillment of the dream of love and family. And it speaks of jumping the hurdles in life without looking back, no matter how high those hurdles may be. 

ABOUT THE SECRETS OF YASHIRE

The Secrets of Yashire: Emerging From the Shadows is a young adult fantasy adventure that occurs within the framework of a young girl’s subconscious mind. The main character, Brianna, finds herself thrown into a world called Yashire where she is forced to deal with circumstances that are threatening Yashire’s existence. Against her will, she is sent on a journey to restore unconditional love back to the land while also contending with the evil force in the land, Zolan. Brianna is sent on her mission by Libban, Keeper of the Land. Along the way, Brianna travels with the mystical tiger, Angelos; a huge, whitish-tan tiger with thick black stripes who sings only the purest songs of love, and the wondrous little one-eyed bird named Abiba. During the journey, Brianna is also preparing to meet her soulmate—the one she longs to be with and the one who will bring complete healing back into her life. Together they travel through fantastic lands filled with magical creatures that could only exist in the wildest of imaginations. Through her treacherous brushes with danger and heartwarming experiences of love and acceptance, Brianna discovers many things. It is here, amidst the powers and phantasms of the mind that Brianna receives life lessons and virtues to help her. Will one of her greatest triumphs be achieved as she learns to believe in herself? For only then can she truly see all of the wondrous things that life has to offer.

INTERVIEW WITH DIAMANTE LAVENDAR

Diamante, how did you get started writing and when did you become an “author?” 
I have loved to write since I learned to write. I began making simple rhyming poems when I was quite young. From there, I began making picture books for my siblings. Eventually I began writing novels. I still write a considerable amount of poetry . . . in fact, I will be publishing a chapbook some time in the future.

What's your favorite thing about the writing process? 
The imaginative side of the writing process is my favorite. Coming up with the ideas for the books is the most enjoyable part for me.

How long is your to-be-read list?
I have started doing reviews for other authors and therefore I'm booked up into July of next year! I do the reviews in between working my day job and writing my own novels, so it keeps me very, very busy! I also write a newsletter each month and have a blog where I write as well. There is never a dull moment in my life!

What books do you currently have published?  I have two books published.  One is a women's mainstream fiction book written about my life. It speaks of healing from sexual and psychological abuse. I wrote Breaking The Silence to help other victims have hope that healing is possible.

My second published book is The Secrets Of Yashire. It is a fantasy story written within the psychological framework of a young woman's mind after she suffers a tragic accident.  It is a coming of age story. It speaks of virtues needed in life in order to find happiness.

You have a day job . . . how do you find time to write? 
It is sometimes a struggle to find time to write a novel. I spend many hours marketing and writing my blog after work. When I sit down to write or edit a new novel, the days are long and the hours for sleep are kept to what's needed to function! I have to be constantly in “work mode” in order to get everything done.  But that's okay because I love to write!

How often do you tweet?
Once a day to keep in touch with my followers. 

How do you feel about Facebook?
I think Facebook is great for networking and some marketing. However, I'm not always content with how Facebook functions. It seems that a lot of “boosting” of posts is required in order for the content to be seen, and that can get somewhat pricey!

For what would you like to be remembered?
I would love to be remembered for my imagination and for the fact that I write to bring hope and healing to my readers. 

What five things would you never want to live without?
My Father in Heaven, my family, electricity, hot water and sweets (especially chocolate!)!

3D movies are . . .
Pretty darned cool!

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I'm an extrovert when I need to be (basically at my day job). But when I'm home, I'm an introvert . . . especially when I'm writing. I become like a hermit crab in my own little shell, and I don't like being disturbed!

What's your relationship with your TV remote?
I dislike TV. I rarely watch it as I consider it to be a nuisance and a waste of time. I do enjoy sitting down to watch an occasional movie, but for the most part, I avoid the TV. 

What's your favorite treat for movie night?
Buttery, salty popcorn!

What choices in life would you like to have a redo on?
Way too many. If you read Breaking The Silence, which was written about my life, you'll understand what I'm talking about.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?
Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

What would your main character say about you?
Well, if it was Joan from Breaking The Silence, she'd say, “I know her! You know why? I'm her!”  (Hahahaha!)

What’s the worst thing someone has said about your writing? How did you deal with it?
I've gotten some pretty snarky criticism about The Secrets Of Yashire. I dealt with it by considering the source and ignoring the comments intended to hurt me.
 
The constructive criticism I received about The Secrets Of Yashire (from other authors and readers) I was grateful for since The Secrets Of Yashire was my first book. I've decided to rewrite the entire story and publish another book based on the original Secrets Of Yashire . . . a new and improved version! That will be my next big undertaking.


What's your relationship with your cell phone?
I have my entire life planned on my phone! If I lost it, I'd be in big trouble.


What is your favorite movie? 
I love Jim Carrey. I think he's absolutely hilarious! I'd have to say his movies, Liar, Liar and The Mask are my favorites.

Do you have a favorite book?
The Bible. I look at it as it sometimes is called . . . Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. I would be truly and completely sunk without it.

Do you sweat the small stuff?
I try not to. But sometimes that's hard when you have OCD.

How long is your to-do list?
My to-do list goes on for years. But that's okay because I like to stay motivated and looking ahead in life!


What are you working on now?
I am editing my book Parallel Universe. It will be coming out in the spring. It's a fantasy/spiritual/coming of age/romance/paranormal story about a young man named Damien Rouse living in medieval times. He has been called to be the upcoming seer of his village of Rathclag. Parallel Universe is about his journey of finding and living his destiny, therefore enabling him to cross over to the parallel universe known as Promethia.

Lightning round:
Cake or frosting? Frosting!
Laptop or desktop? Desktop!
Chevy Chase or Bill Murray? I like them both!
Emailing or texting? A hard one . . . I do them both all the time. I guess I'll pick texting.
Indoors or outdoors? Another hard one . . . I like both equally. I'll pick outdoors!
Tea: sweet or unsweet? No tea for me! I'm a coffee person! GASP!
Plane, train, or automobile? Automobile. Although trains are fun, too!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Diamante Lavendar has been in love with reading since she was a child. She spent many hours listening to her mother read to her when she was young. As she grew older, she enjoyed reading novels of all genres: horror, fantasy and some romance to name a few.
She began writing in college and published some poetry in anthologies over the years. After her kids were older, she wrote as a form of self expression and decided she wanted to share her stories with others.

Most of her writing is very personal and stems from her own experiences and those of her family and friends. She writes to encourage hope and possibility to those who read her stories.

Diamante believes that everyone should try to leave their own positive mark in the world, to make it a better place for all. Writing is the way that she is attempting to leave her mark — one story at a time.

Connect with Diamante:

Website  |  Blog  |  
Facebook  |  
Twitter  |  Goodreads  

Buy the books:
Breaking The Silence   |   The Secrets Of Yashire