Author Interview with Dina C. Tate
Author Interview
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I wanted to be an author when I was around 8 years old. At that time I was so young I wasn’t sure how that would happen. I loved reading and writing short stories, poems and essays. I put it on the backburner and pursued other interests. Over the last several years it was when I truly decided it was time to get back into writing.
What inspired you to write Lizzie & McKenzie’s Fabulous Adventures: Mayhem in Madrid?
The story is loosely based upon the travel experiences of myself and my mother along with things I’ve gone through growing up. When I would tell people about the places I’d visited with my mom I noticed the looks in people’s eyes as I relayed my experiences. I also noticed that I wouldn’t see alot of people of color when I traveled. It was when I was in Lisbon, Portugal when the idea came to me. I wanted to create a way to honor my trips with my mom, introduce parts of the world to people that people may have thought of traveling but for some reason or another never found the time. Also, I wanted to include my love of Japanese animation and comics so that it could appeal to young girls.
What do you find the most challenging about being an author?
Finding time to write. I’ve tried to create a daily writing schedule but it hasn’t worked for me. I’ve become more realistic and try to write at least three times a week. I’ve learned to become more realistic because life gets in the way. I applaud the authors that can write everyday!
What is your editing process like?
I was blessed to have found a great editor. But what I do is write out the chapter by hand, then type it on the computer. This enables me to see how the story flows. Once I’m done I will print it out and then make the corrections by paragraph in a special book. I will then go back and make the edits on the computer, rinse repeat. I realize it sounds strange, but it works for me. I use a set of notebooks that I bought in Barcelona and that I’m still able to buy on Amazon.com. Once I’m completed with the story I hand it over to my editor.
Did you set any writing goals for 2017?
The goal is to have book 2 of the series completed at least in draft form.
Are you working on something now?
I have started outlining book 2. Lizzie and McKenzie will be heading to Tokyo, Japan. They will also be visiting Exquisite City for the 1st time. I intend for this book to really flesh who Lizzie and McKenzie really are individually and what makes them so special.
About the Book
Title: Lizzie & McKenzie’s Fabulous Adventures: Mayhem in Madrid
Author: Dina C. Tate
Genre: Children’s Books, Fantasy
Imagine if all the little girls of the world looked alike.
If the Same Glam Goddess gets her way, it can surely happen.
McKenzie Rivers, the pint-sized daredevil, and Lizzie Sanders, who loves all things frilly, aren’t afraid of being different. And that’s exactly why Princess Lovina of Exquisite City calls upon them to stop the Same Glam Goddess from making all the little girls of the world look the same. With the aid of their magical lovely lockets and fierce diva weaponry, Lizzie and McKenzie will travel the world to find the Seven Crystals of Sisterhood. Their first stop is the magical city of Madrid.
Lizzie and McKenzie will need help to obtain the crystals before the Same Glam Goddess gets her hands on them. If the crystals are not found, little girls all over the world will remain under the spell of the Same Glam Goddess and will lose their identities forever! Will Lizzie and McKenzie be able to find the crystals, break the spell, and stop the Same Glam Goddess?
Author Bio
Dina Tate is the President and Founder of GlobalGirlsSquad LLC a publishing and technology company. Her first book which combines her love of travel and japanese animation is titled “Lizzie and McKenzie’s Fabulous Adventures”.
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