Danielle Lenee Davis
February Featured Author
What made you choose Red Adept Editing?
When I was looking for an editor I saw a post on Absolute Write. Someone mentioned Red Adept Editing, and a few people had questions. I liked the way Red Adept Editing responded to the questions.
You’ve worked with Stefanie and Neila. What did you enjoy most about working with them?
They were professional, and their comments helped me see the story and characters differently. For example, in the last book, False Claims, Neila made some editing comments that helped me make the story better. While thinking about her comments, I got an idea that added a spark to the story. I ended up adding another six thousand words.
What inspired you to start a writing career?
I’ve always been a voracious reader. When I was in my twenties, I thought about writing a novel but didn’t know how to approach it. I did some research and found a company that published books. I didn’t get a good feeling about it and didn’t go any further. I continued to read and pondered writing for years. I finally took a course in 2008 that gave me the push and knowledge to move forward. Then, self-publishing took hold, and I began to learn more. While learning as the industry began to boom, I discovered the reason I’d had a bad feeling about the “publisher” when I was in my twenties. It was a vanity press! I’m glad I didn’t take that road. I eventually finished my writing course and took another, which was when I started my first mystery novel, The Protector.
Do you have a favorite place or time of day to write?
Although I’ve created a writing office in my home, I like to write in the sunroom on the recliner sofa. I enjoy looking in the yard as the sun 
shines, and watching the little lizards scurrying about while the birds, butterflies, and bees do their thing. Sometimes, there’s as slight breeze. There are times when it rains. I love it. It’s like being outside, but not.
Where do you get the inspiration for the mysteries in your stories?
I get inspiration from life, the news, imagination, and what-ifs. What-ifs can take me anywhere.
Do you like to plan before you write? Or do you prefer to start and see where the story goes?
I’m a semi-plotter. I’m not a strict outliner, but I’m not a “see where the story goes” type of writer. I need to know something about the plot before writing. I write a few sentences or a paragraph for each scene for several chapters before I start writing. I know who the killer is before I start writing. Perhaps I should sit down and just start writing some day and see what happens. I might try it with a different genre. I doubt if I could do that with a mystery. It seems like it would result in too much re-writing later.
What part of self-publishing do you enjoy the most?
I like having the ability to make choices. For example, I can change my cover if I want, and I can write and release on my own schedule.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Reading. Always. Every day.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever been given?
Write to market.
Where can readers find you?
Amazon profile page: https://www.amazon.com/Danielle-Lenee-Davis
Website: http://danielleleneedavis.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SydneyValentineMystery/
https://www.facebook.com/DanielleLeneeDavis/
Twitter: @DanielleLeneeDa
