How it all started: 

I began writing Deccan Diamond in February of 2005.  The idea, the opening of my book, started from a dream that I could not get out of my head.  Since I was in between jobs, working through a temp agency, I had a lot of free time on my hands to keep thinking about it.  I ended up getting a temp job as a receptionist at a local factory, and it was very slow.  There were hardly any phone calls or visitors, and I was completely bored out of my mind.  Luckily, I had taken my note pad and pencil with me.  I thought to myself, “Why not try to write about my dream?” So, I took that pencil and started writing in my note pad. I had not written any fiction since high school and it was difficult at first.  After a couple of hours, it began flowing and Deccan Diamond was birthed.  Some things changed a little, so it’s not exactly to my dream, but it was close.  Writing Deccan Diamond was an awesome experience that left me hanging, wondering what would happen next, every time I stopped writing.  I literally had no clue what would happen next as I wrote.  What a treat it was being sucked into that world that I had created, watching the characters in my head as each scene played out.  

My favorite scenes?

My first favorite scene is the chapter at Holiday Village.  I will not go into detail; because many of you may not have read it and I do not want to ruin it.  

I also like the chapter where she runs into Sameer after singing, and then has a run in with Suneel right after.

I like too many to list them all. 

Do I know who gets the Girl yet?

I am really struggling with this.  How will she choose? Will she really choose one of the two heroes?  Sorry to say, I have no idea.  I guess Bella will keep me hopping!  I hope she stays out of trouble a bit better than she has been though.

The guys:

These boys (Yes, I’m sighing), sometimes they irritate me.  How can these characters act like they do at times?  I don’t expect some things from them, you know.  Who says guys are so predictable anyway?

The Names:

This was not as easy as everyone might think. I did searches on name sites. I wanted to know what the names meant.  I knew I needed a male Hindu and Muslim name and wanted a name that I really like for the heroine.

Suneel: A gem, Scented Cool Breeze

Sameer: Wind, entertaining companion

Arabella (Bella): Prayerful; Beautiful Alter; Beautiful Lion.

Bella: Means Sweet In Kannada

It seems Arabella’s name is a perfect fit and the guy’s names, it turns out, should really be swapped if we really want their name meaning to match their characters. 

Where do my Villain ideas come from:

Let’s just say I have a vivid imagination, combined with watching a lot of Hindi movies…. Hehehehe.  J.W. really is a jerk isn’t he?  (You have to read the book to know more about him.) And yes, my dreams do give me ideas as well, not that I enjoy that part of dreaming.

How Many Books in the Deccan Diamond Series?

Honestly?  Your guess is as good as mine. I am in the process of my second.  I do have a few other novel ideas, so maybe DD will get a break after this? Or not.

How long did it take to write Deccan Diamond?

I started working full time right after I started writing that day.  So, I juggled between home, work, all of my responsibilities at church and also between friends, and it took me until January of 2008 to finish.  So, after three long years of wishing these boys would stop fighting over Arabella and that they would all solve the issues at hand, they decided to let me wrap it up.  (They were tired too I guess.)    

What is it like to spend long periods of time writing?

It’s like I am sucked into the world of the characters and am watching what they are doing. I am there with them standing on the side lines, and when I stop, I am completely out of it.  Like how you feel when you take too long of an afternoon nap and you wake up feeling like you are in a tunnel.  I am here in reality, but I’m not. You get what I mean? 

How did it feel when I finished writing my last words in DD1?

I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or cry.  I almost did both. I didn’t want it to be over yet…. What was going to happen?  At the same time I wanted to scream “wooooooohoooo, I finished!”  I kind of walked around the house in a daze for a few minutes. I was also trying to get back into reality after writing for those last few hours.

Okay, enough of questions for one day.  If you would like to know anything else, just ask by emailing me at amy@deccandiamond.com

Have a great Morning, Afternoon or Evening, depending on where in the world you might be. 

God bless you,

Amy L. Vishwanatha

As Promised, here is the excerpt.

Arabella sighed as she dropped into the large, plush recliner.  What had gotten into her, she wondered. 

     “I was a total fool.  He is a complete stranger and I all but invite him for dinner.  How could I tell him my name like that?  After knowing him for only one minute!”  Rubbing her brow, her head rested on the chair’s back. 

     “Vik will kill me when he finds out.” 

     “When I find out what Bella?”  Vik walked into the room with an amused smile spreading across his face, “What have you done this time?”      

     Vikram had become her friend over the last few months, but remained very strict in his duties as her assigned CBI officer.  He was her only source of true conversation and companionship since the CBI instructed her to not make close acquaintances.    

     “Oh, it’s probably nothing.  Maybe I should just keep it to myself, so I don’t unnecessarily upset you.”  Smiling, she waved her hand to pass off any further inquiries.

     “Bella, you should really give up trying to hide things from me.  I told you before, I can see right through you.” 

     Letting out a large sigh he sat on the arm of the chair.  “Now, confess.”

     The doorbell chimed and, with his eyebrows arching in quizzical motion, he got up and walked towards the door then turned to Arabella, “You stay where you are.”  

     A sinking feeling grew in Arabella’s stomach as she rose from the chair and slid along the wall near the door.  She heard the question in Vik’s voice as he opened the door. 

    “Yes, sir?  May I help you?

     “Oh, pardon my intrusion sir, but I was told I could find Bella here.”  Albert held the piece of paper with the address out to Vik, “This is the correct address on the paper is it not?” 

     Vik eyed the paper suspiciously and then looked back to Albert, “This is the correct address, but I do not understand why you are here.” 

    “I am looking for a woman,” Arabella heard a short silence then he continued, “a very beautiful woman. She left her sweater behind at the library.” 

     “I am sorry sir, I cannot help you out.”  Vik’s thumb jabbed his own chest, “I am not a woman, and would not very make a very beautiful one at that.” 

Albert chuckled at the joke.  “Well, that is the truth of it now, isn’t it?  I am sorry to have bothered you sir.” 

     As he turned to leave, Vik stopped him.  “Excuse me sir, but maybe if you describe this woman to me I can be of assistance to you, or if I see her I can let her know that you are in search of her?”

     “I assure you, my description could never do her justice.  She is quite exquisite, even wearing a denim skirt.  I can tell you that she has the most sweet, natural smile that I have ever laid eyes upon.”

     While Albert continued through his list of adjectives for Arabella in his thick English accent, she peered around the corner to see Vik’s white knuckles gripping the doorknob.  She knew he was going to give her a good punishment this time.  He would probably tie himself to her and tape her mouth shut, and Albert was not making it any better going on and on as if they had talked for hours.  She stifled a groan and tiptoed to her room before the conversation ended.  Maybe if she locked herself in her room she could escape the same long, detailed lecture she endured every time she made a mistake of this sort. This time, Arabella knew, was different.  Albert had searched for, and found her.  As much as she hated to admit it, this was one time she could not accuse Vik of being too overbearing.  A sigh escaped her as she quietly shut the door.  She had really messed up. 

     “How odd that he should come looking for me because I left my sweater?”  She crossed her arms and rested her chin on her knuckles. 

     “In fact, the normal thing to do would be to take it to the desk and give it to the librarian.  Surely, he would know I would go claim it.”

     A knock at her door told her the time had come to face Vik.  She hoped he would go easy on her.

       “Come in, Vik.”  She squared her shoulders and braced herself for his immediate speech as the door opened. 

     Vik stood looking at her, his eyes not holding back their immense anger. She noticed that his fair face seemed flushed.     

       I am in bigger trouble than I thought.  He is too angry to speak.

————-

I hope you enjoyed my small excerpt.  I did not want to reveal too much, so it was really hard to pick a selection.  Please remember, this has not been edited and I’m still early into my book.  Anything can happen and anything can change.  Please give me an honest opinion on what you think of the excerpt.

Thanks a lot!

Amy

Okay everyone. I know I am supposed to be updating my site every month, at least, and since life became so busy over the last few months I have not been able to do that.  So, I have decided that I am going to post a “sneak peek”  excerpt out of my new book.  That being said, you probably want to know when to expect this little sneak  peek don’t you?  Save the date!  On March 12, 2010 (this coming Friday) a short excerpt  of the 2nd book in my series of Deccan Diamond will be posted.  Don’t miss it and please leave your comments after reading…I just love reading them!

Have a great day!

Lord Bless,

Amy