An MWA member since 2012, Daniella Bernett graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Journalism from St. John’s University. Lead Me Into Danger is her first novel. She also is the author of two poetry collections, Timeless Allure and Silken Reflections. In her professional life, she is the research manager for a nationally prominent engineering, architectural and construction management firm. She is currently working on the next adventure in her Emmeline Kirby-Gregory Longdon mystery series.
What made you decide to be an author?
I think it started subconsciously with a love of reading and an appreciation of language and the written word. All writers at heart must be readers. Meanwhile, the spark that launched me into the writing world was my fourth grade teacher. Once a week, she had Creative Writing hour and gave us different assignments. I absolutely loved it. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Do you outline or fly by the seat of you pants?
I do not outline, but I do like to plan out the whole story in my head before I sit down to write. I often get new ideas along the journey and make changes, but I like to have that basic skeleton of the plot to follow.
What non-crime books do you enjoy reading?
I’m a voracious reader. I love the classics, history, biographies, anything except science fiction and horror. (I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I read those types of books.)
What advice would you give to beginning writers?
I would tell beginners to write the story that they want to write and not what others tell them or what the current market trends are. To write a great story, you have to breathe it, live with it, and nurture it in your dreams and waking hours.
How do you handle rejection or bad reviews?
I’ve been told that I’m too sensitive, so rejection is very hard. Sometimes I’ve shed some tears, but as so many of my fellow authors have told me, “The most important thing is to keep writing.” Everything else eventually will fall into place. It may take longer than you expect, but if you’re truly passionate about your craft and work hard, your dream will come true.
What an interesting interview. I’ve been meaning to join Mystery Writers of America and this reminded me. I like your advice to new writers. I don’t outline either, but I do keep a calendar of the dates of events in my book.
Linda,
MWA is a great organization. Everyone is very supportive. I’ve received a lot of good advice and have gained a number of friends.
Daniella
Great advice, and great interview! And I absolutely agree that writers must be readers! That’s something I plan to do a lot more of this year!
My wife and I met Daniella and her sister in 2015 on a tour of the British Isles. They are two of the nicest people we have ever met. More to the point for readers, “Lead Me Into Danger” is totally engrossing. I’m looking forward, with great anticipation, to Daniella”s next novel. A very talented young lady.