Dellani Oakes makes her home in Florida, but she grew up in Western Nebraska. Before that, she lived in Tennessee, Ohio, Massachusetts and Texas. After graduating from high school, she added Mississippi. The diverse locations gave her a unique perspective on life. Always a people watcher, Dellani put that talent to use when she became an author.
Bitten by the writing bug early in life, Dellani first pursued poetry as her medium of self-expression. Soon, she moved on the song parodies and then short stories and humorous essays. Once she got to high school, it became apparent that she needed to learn to spell when she got a paper back from her English teacher, “For content: A+. For mechanics: F.” That comment changed her life, forcing her to focus as much on how she said things as well as what she said.
Dellani took up writing full time when her youngest son started kindergarten in 2002. Since then, she has published five books. She has two romantic suspense novels are with Tirgearr Publishing and an historical romance and two sci-fi novels with Second Wind Publishing. She has also contributed to several anthologies, MJ Magazine and shares her unpublished works on her blog.
Because she loves to talk to other authors, Dellani hosts two talk shows a month on Blog Talk Radio. Listen in every second Monday of the month at 4:00 PM Eastern for Dellani’s Tea Time, and every fourth Wednesday, at 4:00 PM Eastern for What’s Write for Me.
Armed with bravado and wonderfully supportive friends and family, Dellani has embarked on a journey of self-publication. Conduct Unbecoming is her first venture into this new, and somewhat scary, world.
Author Interview
Where are you from?
I was born in Tennessee, but have lived in Ohio, Massachusetts, Texas, Nebraska, Mississippi and now live in Florida.
What components, in your opinion, make a great story?
A great story needs good conflict, a discernible opposite of the main characters. This can be in the form of an actual person, entity or group. It can also be some hurdle the hero has to overcome. With good conflict comes good characters. They must be up to the task they’ve been presented with, even if they don’t think so themselves. Despite weaknesses, they manage to rise to the challenge and overcome it. Good plot dynamics also add to the story. No good tale can go straight up to the climax and straight down to the denouement. There have to be levels built, like steps, guiding the reader to the conclusion.
What was the hardest part of the story to write?
It was hard to keep the plot fresh and not do a rehash of The Ninja Tattoo. I didn’t want the characters in hiding, as they were before. However, when I thought of a full on confrontation, the characters stopped me. Two of the bad guys were too formidable and unpredictable for a frontal assault. I would have lost all my main characters and had a slaughter of innocents on my hands. Teague was champing at the bit to take the villain head to head and I couldn’t let him. Amazingly, Jasper, who is even more impetuous than Teague, talked him out of it. After that, I let them decide and I like where they went with the story.
What was the easiest part of the story to write?
The love scenes were the easiest part. I love having people fall in love and bringing them together for the first time is always kind of magical.
Was there much research involved?
Since I had already written a story with similar aspects, there was very little research involved. I did ask an author friend of mine, Seth Bailey, for advice on a rifle for one of the scenes. Though the weapon isn’t specifically named, he gave me some useful information. He also told me a real sniper wouldn’t be seen or miss, which was exactly what I was after.
What do you feel is your biggest strength as a writer?
Dialogue, hands down. I wrote plays in college and that has stayed with me. Info dumps, back story, characterization—all this and more can be portrayed through dialogue.
When your first started writing, did anything about the writing process surprise you?
I didn’t think about how long it would take to get from the beginning to the end. I would get these fabulous ideas and couldn’t type fast enough. What I thought would take an hour to write, often took 2 or 3.
Do you celebrate when you finish a story, and if so, how?
I do celebrate a little. I keep my book files separated by Finished and Unfinished files. When a book is done, I move it from one folder to the other and do a little happy dance. Sometimes, if it’s a been a real bear to finish, I’ll have a glass of wine. I love finishing a book, but once it’s done, the real work—editing—begins. I give myself some down time afterward, before I move on to a new project or begin my first phase of editing.
Do you have a set writing routine?
No. My time is too broken up with errands I have to run, needs of my family (buggers have to eat, after all) and all the Mom and Wife stuff I have to do. I try to get in my office by 10:00 most mornings, and put in time on my various projects. Sometimes, it’s editing, other times it’s setting up my blog posts. Other days, I go on Facebook & promote my books or radio shows. I try to put that off until later in the day, though, because it’s easy to get sucked in.
I write or edit awhile, break for a late lunch, watch reruns on Netflix and relax, before going back to work. I take another break to fix dinner. Sometimes, I stop and watch a movie with my family, then I’m back at my computer until around 1:00 a.m. I often have to make myself go to bed. I’m not usually sleepy, but I can’t allow myself to stay up all night, even though I’d like to.
Do you listen to music when you write?
Always! I have to listen to music. It keeps me going and makes me feel energized. It also serves a more mundane purpose, it provides a screen between me and the outside world. Even in my office, the sounds of the rest of the house annoy and interfere. I’ve learned to filter out and ignore some, but I can’t separate myself from it all. Also, I have constant ringing in my left ear. The doctors can’t do anything about it, so I play music to tone that down.
You’re marooned on a desert island. What’s the one book you’d want with you, and why?
Give me unlimited paper & pens, I’ll write my own. The voices in my head won’t shut up just because I’m not at my computer.
What’s next for you? Can we look forward to a new story in the near future?
I’m always working on something. I have several books that I’ve shared on my blog. I plan to get these ready to self-publish. The one I’m currently sharing on my blog, Bad Fall, is actually a companion novel to Conduct Unbecoming. The main character is mentioned in Conduct Unbecoming, and one of the villains is the same. I am also writing a sequel to Bad Fall, and it’s an extension of both Conduct Unbecoming and Bad Fall. The title is A Matter of Time.
What advice would you give an aspiring author?
Learn grammar! I realize that makes me sound like an English teacher, which I am, but it’s important. I just finished reading a wonderful book that had a great plot and held my interest, but the author kept hopping from present to past tense. There were times that she switched from first person narrative to third person in the same sentence. It was a little frustrating. Also, PLEASE learn the difference between LAY and LIE and use them right! That bugs the crap out of me. I despair of ever winning that battle, because nearly everyone does it wrong.
What made you decide to venture into self-publishing?
I love my publishers, but they are busy with other authors as well as me. I have books I really want to have published, but can’t get out as soon as I’d like to. I’ve been afraid to do this until many of my friends encouraged me to try it. Thank you Christina Giguere, Karen Vaughan and Ethel Cook-Wilson for convincing me that I could, and should, give it a try.
Excerpt from Chapter Six
“You don’t mind sharing with me, do you?” Joel asked Aileen.
“Do you snore?”
“Not that anyone’s ever told me.”
“Joel doesn’t have sleepovers often,” Jasper said. “He wouldn’t know.”
Joel punched Jasper hard in the chest. “Back the fuck off, Waters.”
Vivica interceded once more. “Do you guys need anything?”
“I’ve got a change of clothing in the car,” Joel said, heading outside to get it. He slammed the door behind him.
Jasper watched him leave, jaw working angrily. Vivica had to speak to him again to get his attention.
“I just need a toothbrush and some boxers. I’m good to go.”
“Teague has some new ones here somewhere. They should fit you. Hang on.” She ducked into the master bedroom and brought out a pair of plaid boxers.
Jasper thanked her and went in the bathroom. Vivica and Aileen made the bed while he took a quick shower. Joel still hadn’t come back in. Concerned, Aileen called him, but his phone went to voice mail.
“I’m going to go look for him,” she said.
Vivica nodded and tucked in the blanket. Aileen went outside. She found Joel sitting on the neighborhood dock, gazing at the moon. He looked up when she sat down on another deck chair.
“He really gets under my skin,” he explained. “And I let him. I want to kick myself in the ass.”
“What’s with you two. You seem to hate each other.”
“No. Jasper’s a good guy, he’s just so competitive. I’ve been on the receiving end more times than I’d like. He’s a sore loser, but he’s a worse winner. Problem is, I am too.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “We’re too damn much alike to be friends. The only reason we tolerate each other is because of Teague.”
“He’s always had that effect, hasn’t he? I’ve never seen someone who can bring people together and get the best out of them like he can. God, he had me charmed and in his bed faster than any man I’ve ever met.”
Joel held up his hand, halting her monologue. “I can handle many things. But hearing how good my cousin is at seducing a beautiful woman is not one of them.”
“Jealous?”
“As all hell,” Joel admitted. He stared across the water.
“I can’t imagine you’ve had much trouble along that line,” Aileen said quietly. She scooted closer, shivering.
Joel flung an arm around her, pulling her closer. “I’d loan you my jacket if I had one.”
“This is good. So, you don’t want to know how he seduced me?”
“Nope. Why would I?”
“Because it might work for you too.”
Joel chuckled, rubbing her arm. “There is that. Maybe I’ll find my own way.”
Aileen gazed into his eyes. They looked silver in the moonlight. “How would you go about it?”
“First, I’d take you for a ride in my sexy car.”
She giggled. “And then?”
“Then I’d buy you a cup of coffee and a slice of the best pie in town.”
“Jasper actually did that.”
“Yeah, but I drove you there in my sexy car.”
“True.”
“Then I’d have me a temper tantrum and storm outside like a three year old.”
“Oooh, be still my fluttering heart.”
Joel turned his face to hers, pulling her close. “Then, I reckon I’d get you by the river in the moonlight and hope you let me kiss you.”
Aileen leaned closer. Joel brushed her cheek, touching her lips with his thumb. His lips met hers—warm and soft and full. She shivered against him, but not because she was cold. Joel’s tongue flickered between her lips and she opened them more. He took full advantage, deepening the kiss. Sighing, they scooted closer together. Joel touched Aileen’s cheek, his fingers winding in her hair. Gradually, his hand dropped to her shoulder before drifting down to her breast. Teasing her, he traced circles over her shirt.
The screen door of Vivica’s house screeched, sounding loud in the still night. Joel’s head snapped around.
“You two okay?” Vivica called.
“Yeah. Be right in, Viv.
Sorry,” Joel replied. He stood, giving Aileen a hand up. Her arm slipped around his waist.
“That was a nice kiss. I’d like to continue that sometime.”
Joel sighed. “But I’m guessing not tonight.”
“Not tonight. But soon.”
She started away from him. Joel caught her hand, pulling her back. The kiss was even more powerful when they were standing. His firm body pressed against hers. It felt good to have a man show his interest so definitively. There were no games with Joel. He liked her, he was attracted. She had no intention of bedding a man she’d known less than 12 hours—though it was damned tempting.
“How long did it take my cousin,” he whispered huskily. His breath tickled her neck.
“A week.”
Joel nodded, smirking. Arm slung around her shoulders, he planted a kiss on her cheek, smirking as they walked to the house.
Now that Something New is over, a decision must be made. What next? I have so many books to choose from. The number of finished novels is now 75 (at least at the writing of his post. Could be more than that by the time it goes live).
