Diane Bator
Diane Bator is a mom of three, a book coach, and the author of over a dozen mystery novels and many works-in-progress. She has also hosted the Escape With a Writer blog to promote fellow authors and is a member of Sisters in Crime Toronto, the Writers Union of Canada, and a board member of Crime Writers of Canada. When she’s not writing and coaching authors, she works for a professional theatre. No surprise she’s written her first play, which may lead to more.
Marina Raydun: This may not be easy to answer but do you have a favorite within your Wild Blue Mysteries, Gilda Wright Mysteries series?
Diane Bator: I think my favorite book in the series is The Bakery Lady. I didn’t set out to create the dynamic between Leo Blue and Christina Davidson, it just sort of evolved from the instant they met and took on a life of its own. They’re both characters who’ve lived rough lives and their connection was fun to write about. Leo was a sidekick character in book 1 and 2, so letting him have his own story was something readers had asked for!
MR: What’s the most difficult part about writing characters from the opposite sex?
DB: I’ve always been surrounded by more male role models than female, so I’ve used a lot of them to influence my male characters. It’s fun to have those men work with some pretty headstrong women, but there are more physical components of writing men that I certainly don’t know firsthand. Any more than a man would be able to write about a woman with PMS! LOL!
MR: How do you select the names of your characters?
DB: It’s weird that most of the time they just come out of the blue. Seriously! The name Laken in my Glitter Bay Mysteries came from the side of someone’s metal water bottle. Sometimes if I’m stuck, I’ll find a name on a book or a baby name website. If I’m looking for something specific, I’ll find lists of baby names that give what the name means.
MR: What’s the best and worst book review you’ve ever received?
DB: The best review was when the first reader I met in person told me she loved my books and was awed that I lived in her hometown. It was certainly the most memorable! The worst (or at least most confusing) was someone who left a review to say they didn’t like the characters, didn’t like the story, but they could relate to the main character.
MR: What is your favorite genre to read?
DB: Actually read many genres as a book coach/editor. I love mystery, it’ll always be my number one. I also read some fantasy and sci-fi books as well as romantic suspense and women’s fiction.
MR: What are you currently reading?
DB: My current read is a sci-fi called M.E. Unleashed written by a friend of mine, Roderick D. Turner. It’s a gripping exploration into the awesome potential of the human mind, and the importance of empathetic connection in our world.
MR: If you could have drinks with any person, living or dead, who would it be?
DB: This one is tough. I think Janet Evanovich would be a good choice since her books inspired me to write my own. I’d love to hear how she got started and how she keeps going with her Stephanie Plum series among others.
MR: What book do you wish you had written?
DB: I admire the Harry Potter series for being well written, entertaining both adults and kids, and being a total world that readers can get lost in. I’m not sure if I’d want all the headaches J.K. Rowling has had to endure though. Something like Eat, Pray, Love is up there as well although as Elizabeth Gilbert says, it’s stressful to follow up a great success though.
MR: If you could cast your characters in a Hollywood adaption of your book, who would play your characters?
DB: Katie Mullins could be played by Rose Leslie. I’d love to see Lucy Stephens portrayed by Mila Kunis. Maybe Chris Evans as Danny Walker. Jason Mamoa as Leo Blue would be amazing! Mimsy Lexington would come to life with Lily Tomlin in her role.
MR: What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?
DB: Whatever book I’m working on at the moment. Sometimes, I come up with great new scenes or even whole new books! That and packing up all my worldly goods and taking an adventure. Somehow, I don’t think my cats Jazz and Ash would be up for a road trip. They don’t even like the drive to the vet!
To learn more about Diane Bator, please visit her website at https://dianebator.ca/
Her books are available through her publisher Books We Love at: https://bookswelove.net/bator-
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