Hi Danielle. Could you start by introducing yourself?
I’m Danielle Deneault, and I’m the author of Decision of a Heartbeat. I was born on March 22nd in Providence, Rhode Island. I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada when I was five years old and have lived here ever since.
Your first book 'Decision of a Heartbeat' was published when you were fifteen. That’s impressive! Could you tell us a little about the process of getting the novel published?
The process for me began with finding a publisher. I didn’t go through a “traditional publisher”. I went through a company named Authorhouse which is somewhat of a self-publishing company. With Authorhouse I got to have control over all the parts of the book. I designed my cover and picked all the inside texts. I submitted the manuscript after four years in September 2005 and received my final copy of the book in January of 2006.
Tell us about 'Decision of a Heartbeat'
Decision of a Heartbeat is focused around a man named James who has always been in love with his best friend Lavender from the time he was young. They grew up together and went through many tough times that kept them from being together. Deceitful people and jealously are major themes in the book. You have an evil brother, a conniving fiancée, a backstabbing best friend and so many other characters that stand in their way but they get through it!
A large amount of 'Decision of a heartbeat' took place when the main character James was an adult. As you were just a teen when you wrote the novel; did you find it hard relating to adult experiences and problems that you hadn't yet experienced?
No not at all. I have always been around adults from a very young age. I’m more of an adult! I always get that I’m so much older. As my guitar teacher says “sixteen going on thirty-five!” and I relate to adults better.
As for things I haven’t experienced I mean, what I wrote, I think is accurate. Someone said to me “How can you possibly write about something that you haven’t experienced??” A huge part of it is imagination.
If 'Decision of a Heartbeat' were to be made movie; who would you like to see in the lead roles?
I’ve had this planned since I started writing! Since James and Lavender progress through out the story I plan to have at least two different actors and actresses.
For James I would have Tyson Ritter as a younger James. Tyson was a huge inspiration to me while I was writing, I had his picture up when I was writing parts! It took me four years to get to meet him and when I finally did I said “You have to be in my movie!” He was so excited and said he would! That made all the times where I ever felt like throwing in the towel worth while. He read the back of the book and said “I’m James Martin!”
And for an older James, Tom Welling. I think he’s amazing! I looked at his picture while writing too.
For Lavender, I would of course have to play the younger version! I would have to dye my hair back dark but it would be worth it! For the older Lavender, Kimberly Williams.
From day one I always liked Will Fridle for Erich. I just think he would be perfect!
As for a young Nick I really want the twin boys Dylan and Cole Sprouse to play him as a kid and the George Stults for the adult version.
Did you base James or Lavender on anyone in your life or yourself?
I think that James and Lavender are equal parts of me. James and I share being hopeless romantics! When I created Lavender she was always pegged as the strong, sexy woman that others always like to see, I think on a level we share that.
What has been the most exciting thing to happen to you since the release of ‘Decision of a Heartbeat’?
There have been so many great experience that I’ve had since the release. I’ve gotten to meet so many talented people who are into the same things as I am and that I can relate to. It doesn’t hurt that I get some perks sometimes too. When I took my test to get my driving permit they let me go first in line because someone had read my book. Not too many people liked me that day! The best part might be that I’ve kind of come into my own and being able to say that I have a book gives me so much confidence.
Are you planning/working on your next novel yet? If so, can you offer a teaser or two?
I’m trying to. I’m looking for my muse right now. I think I have it but then it slips through my fingers. I did start one that I am pushing myself to finish. It is completely different from Decisions, It’s very raw and unrefined. It’s about finding the path that you want to take and becoming who you want to be. Facing the “right path” where you’re conformed to do things just like you should or the “wrong path” which looks inviting.
When did you decide you wanted to be an author? Has it been a lifelong dream?
I always loved writing and I loved books from an early age. It wasn’t clear to me that I was going to turn into an author. It wasn’t like I woke up one morning and said “I’m going to write a book and become a famous author!” It was one of those things that you just find of fall into.
What were some of your favorite novels and authors today?
I have so many! I love Mary Higgins Clark, she’s my writing idol! I love Carl Hiaasen’s Basket Case. John Searles has two books that are my all time favorite, Strange but True and Boy Still Missing. Anything Jackie Collins, I’ve read almost all of her books. Rosemary Rogers, Amanda Quick. I also really love the Traveling Pants series and the Shopaholic Series.
What advice would you like to offer to other teens aspiring to be authors?
I always say don’t give up. Don’t listen to other people, do what you think is right and what you want to do. Don’t conform to what people want you to be. Especially in writing, other people want to put in their two cents and expect you to use it, again do what you want, it’s not their masterpiece.
Do you plan on attending College when you're older? Will you be studying anything to do with writing?
I would like to. I’m looking at Berklee, which is a music college. I would like to go for writing as well, Brown is an option, I don’t know yet. I have to see where the road takes me.
You also play the guitar and hope one day to release an album. Do you find your story writing abilities help with music - especially writing songs?
Sometimes. I find it harder because with a book you spread out your ideas and with song you kind of condense them into a few lines. I like to spread things out and add a lot of detail. I’m working on shorting so I can make my songs flow together better.
