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Natasha Deen writes witty, laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with a dose of down-home Southern charm for that extra coating of sugar that makes it all nice without going too far over the top.
Ms. Deen was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, but her parents left Canada when she was a few weeks old. For the first four years of her life, she grew up in Georgetown, Guyana, South America (which is her defense for why she never messes with bugs—in Guyana, the cockroaches were big enough to cart you away).
Since her parents live 3000 miles away, they send massive group emails to the family, where they detail some random experience, and she saves them because they are, hands down, the funniest stories she’s ever read. From the time her mom accidentally set off the fire alarm at a train station…to her husband needing new overalls…to the time she inadvertently flashed the entire downtown crowd in Edmonton…or her dad and his egg-salad sandwich, those stories are so funny that just the thought of them can still send her into fits of laughter.
The scariest, strangest dream she ever had was when she was ten and they’d just moved into their first home. That night, she had a dream about a graveyard in the lowest portion of the backyard. Her parents assured her it was just a dream—nothing to worry about—but that spring, when they started tilling the ground to make it a garden, they found a bunch of dead birds buried in the soil. She still wonders about it.
Whenever she writes, she likes to listen to The Bee Gees, ABBA, ‘80s music, and Top 40. She always makes a soundtrack for her stories, so when she’s writing, she’s usually listening to those songs.
Her favorite intangible thing is waking up in the middle of the night and hearing the silence. Then, overlying that, she’ll hear the sound of her husband’s breathing, the snores of the cats and the dogs. She likes to wake up in the middle of the night and know that everyone she loves is safe and sound. Other favorite things include her computers, chocolate, books on writing, chocolate, mashed potatoes, chocolate, oh right…and chocolate.
On Writing, In Ms. Deen’s Own Words
What or who inspires you to write?
I think most writers write because we feel we have something to say or a feeling we want you to feel. For me, I’m inspired to write comedy because I think life is hard enough. We’re dealing with mortgages, bosses, babies with colic—I love to write stories that leave people laughing and brighten their day.
Why did you begin writing?
I read a horrible story and thought, “Good grief. If she got published, surely to God, I can do the same.”
Which author inspires you?
Honestly, really amazing authors because they set a bar/standard I want to attain, and really bad authors because they give me hope (see question #2).
What do you find most rewarding about writing?
I guess it depends on which category we’re talking about. If it’s strictly writing, then any time I finish a novel/story, I feel a huge sense of accomplishment. Once the book is done and published, it’s really rewarding to know other people enjoyed my work.
Have you experienced writer’s block? And if so, how did you cure it?
I find my writer’s block is usually because I’m trying to write and edit at the same time. Writing is right brain stuff. Editing is left brain. Once I remind myself to only do one at a time, it gets easier.
When is your next book due out, and what’s it about?
The sequel to True Grime is due out in September 2012.
Where can readers find you online?
Twitter, Facebook, Blog, or NatashaDeen.com
You have plenty of places to visit this talented author, so click on a link, and see what she’s all about.
