Introduce yourself.

I think I have had three of four lifetimes as an adult. First I was a Stanford professor teaching Buddhism. My second life was starting my own company in Silicon Valley to arrange partnerships between US and Japanese Korean and Chinese high-tech companies. After retirement, I truly could devote my energy and commitment to two of my passions: a) art-- creating mixed-media prints with Asian themes; and ) writing fiction with a subtle Buddhist influence. All four of those stages-- if you will-- are interrelated and intertwined. My debut novel, Things Unsaid, is a family saga. My second novel, Deeds Undone, is a mystery, and takes up where Things Unsaid left off. My third novel will be a rom-com.

Have you ever given up entirely on a story?

No. I'm a hoarder and don't like to throw things away. Everything can be useful. I will rewrite portions of a story I am not going to use and, after editing, submit as an article to a literary journal. So, short stories can be created from what I've cut out after changing the scenes or plot dramatically.

Do you write the story beginning to end, or do you skip around?

Beginning to end, no skipping around because that confuses me when I have a forward momentum I want to achieve. But every time I rewrite the end, I have to rewrite the beginning to bookend my story.

What genre do you write? Did you choose the genre, or did it choose you?

The genre chooses me since the story comes first in my head.

My first novel,Things Unsaid, is a family saga: a mixture of Catholic guilt and Buddhist karma in a tale of family obligation and duty.

My second novel--a work-in-progress tentatively titled Deeds Undone-- is a cozy mystery that continues some characters from my debut novel.

My third novel--A Perfect Match—will be a rom-com, a satire about online dating.

Who’s your favorite fictional hero or heroine?

I love Mrs. Bridge (from the book of the same name) as well as Offred (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Kya (Where the Crawdads Sing).

Have you had to do a lot of research for your books? How did you go about it?

Research has been critical for only my second novel--a mystery. I needed to know about interrogation techniques, police procedurals, and a light touch on forensic psychology. Have interviewed a former FBI agent/police officer and viewed documentaries on forensics and cold cases as well as reading books on the subject and on the internet.

How do you choose names for your characters?

The names begin as people I know or have symbolic connotations with the theme (for example, Jules Foster of Things Unsaid, who I facing caregiving issues) or actors so I can have a clear image of their physical appearance. Then I sometimes change the names. At least one character is named as a result of my first book launch and first book club reading. I sometimes have contests for reviewers and the winner's name is featured as a name of a character in my work-in-progress.

I always want to know what sparks a book? What question was haunting you that propelled you into this particular story?

Ultimately, any storyteller is going to write about what she knows in her heart. Everyone has to face their own mortality, and perhaps their parents first.

Why do you write?

I've been a storyteller ever since I was a little girl and a cartoonist in my early teens. All my friends and teachers said I should either write down the crazy stories I was telling or be an artist and visualize the strangeness.

What is your greatest writing challenge?

Not to overwrite or overthink. I believe there's a Zen rhythm to writing. I have to try to get into the head of the character at the same time I am understanding from the point of view of the reader–– I call that "double vision".

Tips for other authors?

1) Read--and read some more.

2) Write what first comes to mind, without your inner critic.

3) Learn to enjoy revising and editing, because of the surprises that lie beneath the surface.

You can check out her latest book, Things Unsaid on Amazon

About the Author

Diana Y. Paul, an award-winning novelist, was born in Akron, Ohio and has a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies and a B.A. in both psychology and philosophy. Diana is a former Stanford professor in Buddhism with a focus on the role of women and intergenerational families.

Things Unsaid is a multiple award-winning novel: USA Best Book Awards Finalist in two categories (Best New Fiction and Best Literary Fiction), Beverly Hills Book Awards Winner for Best New Adult Fiction, Readers Favorite Silver Award Winner for Best Drama, and a Pushcart Nominee. Her second novel, Deeds Undone, a mystery, continues the narrative of Things Unsaid. A Perfect Match will be her third. When not writing, Diana creates mixed media art. Her art has been in museums and galleries in California, Hawaii, and Japan. Visit her blog on movies and art at: www.unhealedwound.com and her author website at: www.dianaypaul.com. Her Amazon author page is: amazon.com/author/dianaypaul Or stop by on Facebook, Twitter: @DianaPaul10 and/or Instagram: dianapaul10 and dianay.paulAuthor