My Interview with Diane Chamberlain

I had the pleasure to connect with one of my favorite authors and was given the opportunity to interview her via email. I am so grateful and honored for her time and her words. She is an inspiration and the best writer!!! Although I have not read all of her books, I have read the majority! I have to say my top 2 favorites are: The Bay At Midnight  & The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes. I also loved her trilogy series, The Keeper of The Light, Kiss River, Her Mother's Shadow. If you are a book lover and haven't ever read a book by Diane Chamberlain, GET ON WITH IT!

The Interview


1. What inspired you to become a writer of fiction and a writer in general? At what moment in your life did you realize this was your calling?

When I was in the first grade, our teacher read Charlotte’s Web aloud to us. I was used to simpler books and simpler stories and was amazed that the story made me laugh and cry. For the first time, I realized an author could do that—create an emotional and entertaining story. I knew then what I wanted to do. However, when I got to high school, I thought that I couldn’t possibly make a living as a writer and decided to study social work when I went to college. I focused on getting my bachelor’s and master’s degrees and then starting my career. When I was thirty-one though, I was waiting a long time for a doctor’s appointment. I started writing then and I’ve never stopped.

2. In some of the books I have read, I felt the need to want to know more about the ending! I would have to say with The Escape Artist- I really wanted to know what happens with Cody/Tyler and the custody. I am sure you meant to leave it to our imagination, which I loved as well. If you were to keep writing, or to do a sequel, what would you have done? I also felt that way about Summer’s Child-very curious about the Pilot’s family and their re-union with other daughter !!!

The problem with books is that they have to end somewhere! A second problem is that it’s impossible to end things in a way that will please all readers. I tend to love epilogues in many of my later books for the reason you state: I want to know what happened to my characters. Many of my readers are grateful for the epilogues, but there are also readers who dislike them intensely. So I do what I feel a particular story demands. If I have a need to know what happened to the characters, I will add an epilogue. Otherwise, I’m afraid, it is up to you as a reader to decide.

 3. How long would you say each novel takes you to write? I am sure this might be something that changes over time with experience? Or does it take about the same duration regardless of your experience?

Well, the honest answer is that it takes me a year because that’s what is written into my contract. If my publisher gave me two years, it would take me two years. My first novel, when I was working as a hospital social worker and had no contract, took me about four years. So as you can see, it’s really determined by things outside myself.

 4. If you were contacted for a movie deal for just ONE of your novels, which one would you choose and why?

That is a really tough question. I think many of them would make good movies, but I’d really like to see Necessary Lies on the big screen. I’d love that important story to reach a new audience, and I think the tight pace would work well on film.  

5. I’ve noticed a trend with most of your stories about family secrets, adoption and babies. Have any of these come from your personal experience as a social worker? 

Not specifically, but certainly my work as a hospital social worker and psychotherapist with teenagers has influenced my writing. I’ve always been careful to avoid incorporating any of my clients’ experiences in my book, but I’ve learned so much from them about how strong people can be under difficult circumstances. I’m grateful that I have that background.

 6. Have any of your stories been inspired by any personal life experiences? Or do you relate to any specific character or plot in your own life?

I was agoraphobic as a young person. I had to drop out of college the first time around and couldn’t hold a job. So as I created the character of Kate in my third novel Secret Lives, I shouldn’t have been surprised that she became agoraphobic. I love Kate, and Secret Lives will always be one of my favorite books.  

7. What advice would you give a new writer?

The main thing is simply to write. Don’t put it off. Sit down at the desk and do it. If you don’t know how to write, take classes in which you can get feedback. Don’t expect to create a good book in one draft or even three. Get feedback from friends and take the criticism to heart. But the bottom line: write!  

8. Which one of your books has been the ultimate best seller?

The Silent Sister made the USA Today Bestseller List, which was a thrill. Readers really connected with the story of a young woman who discovers her long-dead sister is really alive. I love my readers!

BIG THANKS to Diane Chamberlain!