Hi Dee and thank you for speaking with us today. The readers would love to hear something about Dee Dawning.

I began writing seriously, not quite thirty months ago. I live in the Phoenix Arizona area and previously lived in Las Vegas for over thirty years. Except for Fortune Cookies, which is set in New York City, My stories take place on the west coast. Hollywood, Las Vegas, San Francisco.

Dee, why not tell us how your day is once you wake and get motivated?

For the last few years, I have been getting by with less sleep. So I wake up between two and four every morning. This is my quiet time when I do author related functions, like writing, critiquing etc. Of course, I have to go to work around eight.

Why don’t you tell us about your latest release Legs and maybe something about Fortune Cookies, too?

I'd be happy to. LEGS, released in June. It is sort of a love story/action thriller. Legs, who in the book is Mallory Robbins, a top model and movie starlet is kidnapped and whisked off to a harem and other than it has some great sex scenes in it, that's all I'm going to tell you since I have a short blurb to share with you:

Mallory Robbins, a top fashion model and fast rising movie starlet, wakes up in an unknown location, after a blissful night with an exquisite, attentive lover, with no memory of her whereabouts. Enduring a severe headache, she becomes terrified when she catches a glimpse of herself in a dresser mirror wearing the authentic coverings, including a veil, of a devout Muslim woman of means.

Fortune Cookies is a hoot. It’s an erotic chick lit with a paranormal twist. Special Fortune Cookies from Eddie Changs Chinese restaurant lead eight women, six of whom are friends from college, to their love/sex soul mates. It's a little long, but a lot of fun and as you can imagine has a lot of imaginative sex in it. I have been told more than once that it has a Sex in the City, Desperate Housewives feel to it. In fact I’m slowly working on a screenplay for it. We’ll have to see where it goes.

Do you have any special rituals to help you get in the mood to write?

I'll tell you what. It's more like I have to force myself to stop writing. I went through something similar years ago when I began designing homes. I was consumed with that and now I'm consumed by writing.

What part of the book do you prefer best, the beginning, middle or end, when composing?

You know, I used to think I wrote different from other writers, but at a recent meeting of mystery writers, I found out, I'm not alone. I start with and idea, with no concept of the end and just write. It's kind of like taking an unknown pathway and seeing where it will take you.

Do you have any bad writing habits?

All kinds. I think I'm pretty good, but there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Of all the individuals you have created, do you have a particular favorite? What appeals to you the most about this character?

First of all, let me tell your readers that unlike most erotic/romance writers, Dee Dawning is a man. A man that feels an affinity for women. I have yet to write a sex/love scene which is demeaning to woman and I doubt I will. That said, I love the female protagonists in all my books. I love Jane DeJong, in The Right Hand of Allah. Mallory Robbins in Legs. and Rachel Cooke in Getting Naked at the Hilton. The big problem of course is Fortune Cookies which has, depending on how you count, either four or six lead female characters. If I had to pick a favorite it would probably be Rita Renati.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what things could you not survive without?

I suppose my laptop is out of the question? Didn't think so. How about company. It could get very lonely on a desert island

What would we find on your bookshelf?

Every book by Carl Hiassen. I like to think I write like him…Maybe someday? If you haven't read him, you just gotta. Skinny Dip, Native Tongue. You'll also find Michael Connelly. A great mystery writer.

What do you do to relax?

Why silly. I write. I've never been happier since I started writing. In addition, if you were to write me and tell how much you enjoyed one of my books, I would be on cloud nine.

What makes a great book to you?

Two things. Plot and delivery. If one or the other is missing you have an also ran.

Where would you like to see yourself in three years?

I'd love to be writing full time and I'd like to write more mainstream novels as well. I also expect to have a dozen books under my belt.

Do you have any indulgent behaviors one might find surprising?

I really drink too much coffee. Sweets are a weakness too!

For Fun: What’s your favorite flavor ice cream?

LMAO. I'm sure everyone is dying to know that I love chocolate chip ice cream. Not those imitations like Oreo cookie crumb or cookie dough

Is this the only website you have or do you have another that you would like to share with your readers?

www.myspace.com/deedawning

Thank you so much for sharing time with us, Dee. Anyone interested in reading more about Dee and his books, please visit his website. It has been a pleasure and I wish you success with your writing.

Interviewed by: Linda L.