This week it is my pleasure to interview Claude Dancourt. Would you please introduce yourself to my readers and share something about your life.
Hi Rita, hi Everyone, thanks for having me. I’m Claude. I’m French Canadian, and by that I mean I was born in France, but I moved to Canada almost thirty years ago. Books, tea, cookies, hockey and way too much time on the Internet (research!!!), that’s me.
Do you always write in the same genre or do you mix it up?
I definitely mix it up though there’s always a romantic aspect to the story. I love romantic suspense (think Nora Roberts’) so that’s my favorite genre to write. Contemporary romance is also fun, because those are very character-driven pieces.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
It’s a little bit of both, actually. Most of the time, the idea from the book comes from a piece of dialogue I keep hearing in my head, worse than an earworm. If I don’t write it down, it’ll bug me for days. So I do write it and then those few sentences grows into people and their story. After a few chapters I pull up a notepad new document where I store ideas and tips. I know they have softwares for that, but I’m a little bit old school.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
I’d love to! Here’s an extract for Robins Sing at Dawn, my last published book. It’s an historical fiction set up in the 30s in California. Ann is an aspiring writer, and gets entangled in the troubles that seem to follow Quinn Forbes everywhere. Let’s call it a meet-cut/millionaire/romantic suspense.
Quinn watched her face for a moment longer before he retook his seat at the table. “Meredith and I grew up together,” he offered. Ann grinned. “Don’t you say…” The young millionaire returned her smirk. “Meredith has the uncanny ability to make people talk. Maybe I will learn all about your misdeeds before you do mine.” Her cheeks warmed. He’d coupled the tease with an inviting undertone that made her inner fangirl whoop and self-preservation bells clang. Ann swallowed thickly. “Nothing to tell.” Quinn’s smirk grew positively devilish. “I don’t believe that for a minute.” “Why?” she asked before she could think better of it. “You write from experience, don’t you? Considering half the trouble your lead character gets herself into…” Hearing him talk about Robin broke the tantalizing web he’d weaved around her. Ann turned her head toward the door to bring the conversation to an end. She’d created Robin Dawn because tall, brazen brunettes commanded attention. When people read about adventure and romance, they never pictured circumspect pixie-size blondes in the heat of things. Maybe she’d given the character the traits she wished she possessed, but she wasn’t Robin. Robin wasn’t real. A brush over her wrist startled her. “I meant no disrespect, Ann.” Ann looked up from her arm to Quinn’s handsome face. He retracted his hand before she could pull away. “What did you mean, then?” “Nothing. I was only teasing you. It wasn’t a reproach.” Reproach? Oh. He was talking about her burlesque blackmail plot. Well, since he’d broached the subject first… “You told Mr. Galloway about—” “There you are!” A whirlwind with a dark copper ponytail marched into the kitchen. “I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow! I am very glad you’re here though. I am fed up of being outnumbered.” Ann stood, only to be engulfed in a quick hug. Meredith stepped back as if to examine her outfit. Knowing she would probably go up and down stairs until she got settled, she had chosen to wear her flats rather than heels. The navy-blue tea dress complemented her silhouette despite the missing extra inch. It was simple and practical and wouldn’t impair her movements while she got settled. Ann opened her mouth to ask what she could do, then closed it when she realized the redhead was not looking at her but rather at the man behind her. Meredith’s eyes sparkled while she considered her childhood friend. Ann wondered what mischief was going through her head. That expression spelled Trouble with a capital T. Finally, her new landlady beamed at her and spun on her heels to exit the kitchen without a word. Taken aback, Ann turned toward her companion. “I feel like I’ve missed a full conversation.”
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
This is like asking a parent which child is their favorite! My books are all special to me, because each one is linked to a memory. I can’t choose one. Robins was fun because I learned a lot about the post-depression era, and it was also challenging to make sure I wasn’t introducing anachronisms. At the same time I was in a difficult situation when I wrote Second Chances and Moonshadows. Return to Caer Lon was a childhood story revisited. So I’ll go with that one. But really, I love them all.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
A great piece of advice is probably to not be shy. You put time, your heart and soul into your project. You should be proud of it and tell everyone. It’s okay to talk about what you’ve done, and to encourage people to buy it.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
I’ve travelled a lot, so funnily, my favorite vacation spot is my home land.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
I have a cat. Besides being terrified of people (no one but me can approach him), he loves yogurt. No matter where he is in the house, if I pull out yogurt from the fridge, he knows. It’s to the point I have to protect my dessert while I eat or he’ll put his head in the bowl (did a couple of times too! He got stuff all over his face, whiskers, etc.)
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
The title. Some people say the blurb or the cover, but for me, it’s the title that draws me in first.
Do you have your own website?
I do now! I created it last week. Here’s the link https://c-dancourt.kit.com/
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
Also yes. I just finished a hockey romance novella. I am hoping to publish it later this year.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
Well, with the website, I am launching a monthly newsletter (https://c-dancourt.kit.com/85aef619d0). Social Media are such a blackhole, I crave a real connection with readers. I hope subscribers will contact me and ask questions. What are they curious about? What do they want to know about the books, the characters? Do they wonder what’s writing is like on a day-to-day basis?
I will answer the questions I receive, share titbits about what my journey as a writer, websites or pieces of advice that help me, give sneak peeks about what’s next, exclusive materials… Oh and cookie recipes. I love to bake so even if I cannot share the goods, I can offer easy ways to make them…
Hi Rita, hi Everyone, thanks for having me. I’m Claude. I’m French Canadian, and by that I mean I was born in France, but I moved to Canada almost thirty years ago. Books, tea, cookies, hockey and way too much time on the Internet (research!!!), that’s me.
Do you always write in the same genre or do you mix it up?
I definitely mix it up though there’s always a romantic aspect to the story. I love romantic suspense (think Nora Roberts’) so that’s my favorite genre to write. Contemporary romance is also fun, because those are very character-driven pieces.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
It’s a little bit of both, actually. Most of the time, the idea from the book comes from a piece of dialogue I keep hearing in my head, worse than an earworm. If I don’t write it down, it’ll bug me for days. So I do write it and then those few sentences grows into people and their story. After a few chapters I pull up a notepad new document where I store ideas and tips. I know they have softwares for that, but I’m a little bit old school.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
I’d love to! Here’s an extract for Robins Sing at Dawn, my last published book. It’s an historical fiction set up in the 30s in California. Ann is an aspiring writer, and gets entangled in the troubles that seem to follow Quinn Forbes everywhere. Let’s call it a meet-cut/millionaire/romantic suspense.
Quinn watched her face for a moment longer before he retook his seat at the table. “Meredith and I grew up together,” he offered. Ann grinned. “Don’t you say…” The young millionaire returned her smirk. “Meredith has the uncanny ability to make people talk. Maybe I will learn all about your misdeeds before you do mine.” Her cheeks warmed. He’d coupled the tease with an inviting undertone that made her inner fangirl whoop and self-preservation bells clang. Ann swallowed thickly. “Nothing to tell.” Quinn’s smirk grew positively devilish. “I don’t believe that for a minute.” “Why?” she asked before she could think better of it. “You write from experience, don’t you? Considering half the trouble your lead character gets herself into…” Hearing him talk about Robin broke the tantalizing web he’d weaved around her. Ann turned her head toward the door to bring the conversation to an end. She’d created Robin Dawn because tall, brazen brunettes commanded attention. When people read about adventure and romance, they never pictured circumspect pixie-size blondes in the heat of things. Maybe she’d given the character the traits she wished she possessed, but she wasn’t Robin. Robin wasn’t real. A brush over her wrist startled her. “I meant no disrespect, Ann.” Ann looked up from her arm to Quinn’s handsome face. He retracted his hand before she could pull away. “What did you mean, then?” “Nothing. I was only teasing you. It wasn’t a reproach.” Reproach? Oh. He was talking about her burlesque blackmail plot. Well, since he’d broached the subject first… “You told Mr. Galloway about—” “There you are!” A whirlwind with a dark copper ponytail marched into the kitchen. “I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow! I am very glad you’re here though. I am fed up of being outnumbered.” Ann stood, only to be engulfed in a quick hug. Meredith stepped back as if to examine her outfit. Knowing she would probably go up and down stairs until she got settled, she had chosen to wear her flats rather than heels. The navy-blue tea dress complemented her silhouette despite the missing extra inch. It was simple and practical and wouldn’t impair her movements while she got settled. Ann opened her mouth to ask what she could do, then closed it when she realized the redhead was not looking at her but rather at the man behind her. Meredith’s eyes sparkled while she considered her childhood friend. Ann wondered what mischief was going through her head. That expression spelled Trouble with a capital T. Finally, her new landlady beamed at her and spun on her heels to exit the kitchen without a word. Taken aback, Ann turned toward her companion. “I feel like I’ve missed a full conversation.”
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
This is like asking a parent which child is their favorite! My books are all special to me, because each one is linked to a memory. I can’t choose one. Robins was fun because I learned a lot about the post-depression era, and it was also challenging to make sure I wasn’t introducing anachronisms. At the same time I was in a difficult situation when I wrote Second Chances and Moonshadows. Return to Caer Lon was a childhood story revisited. So I’ll go with that one. But really, I love them all.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
A great piece of advice is probably to not be shy. You put time, your heart and soul into your project. You should be proud of it and tell everyone. It’s okay to talk about what you’ve done, and to encourage people to buy it.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
I’ve travelled a lot, so funnily, my favorite vacation spot is my home land.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
I have a cat. Besides being terrified of people (no one but me can approach him), he loves yogurt. No matter where he is in the house, if I pull out yogurt from the fridge, he knows. It’s to the point I have to protect my dessert while I eat or he’ll put his head in the bowl (did a couple of times too! He got stuff all over his face, whiskers, etc.)
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
The title. Some people say the blurb or the cover, but for me, it’s the title that draws me in first.
Do you have your own website?
I do now! I created it last week. Here’s the link https://c-dancourt.kit.com/
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
Also yes. I just finished a hockey romance novella. I am hoping to publish it later this year.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
Well, with the website, I am launching a monthly newsletter (https://c-dancourt.kit.com/85aef619d0). Social Media are such a blackhole, I crave a real connection with readers. I hope subscribers will contact me and ask questions. What are they curious about? What do they want to know about the books, the characters? Do they wonder what’s writing is like on a day-to-day basis?
I will answer the questions I receive, share titbits about what my journey as a writer, websites or pieces of advice that help me, give sneak peeks about what’s next, exclusive materials… Oh and cookie recipes. I love to bake so even if I cannot share the goods, I can offer easy ways to make them…