True Love Knot: Entangled was released on October 14th. I’m excited to share the difficult role of a caregiver and the King family’s story that someone can lose all sense of objectivity when caring for their loved one.
The Shackle: Escape from the Knot of Restraint, the first book in the Knot Series II is the 2021 NYC Big Books Distinguished Favorite. It’s a continuation of the clan’s story, but it could be an independent novel.
This novel focuses on the horrific crimes of human trafficking. It still has an underlying romance, but it can be read like a modern western. Overreleased The Knot Series I featuring
The Trinity Knot (2018 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite) and Zeppelin Bend and The Hitch (2019 NYC Big Book Award Winner). Her emotional story evokes compassion when addressing difficult problems that are often not mentioned, such as sexual assault, unwanted pregnancy, depression, and prescription drug addiction. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, Overly draws on her experience as a registered emergency nurse and incorporates lessons learned from her patients into her literary work.
Here is an interview with author Donna Overly
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My life has been unique with rich experiences. As a critical care nurse for 20 years, I had the privilege of meeting people from many different walks of life who were extremely ill and wished to share. Then at 48 years of age, after earning an art degree from the University of Texas, I found that people were interested in artwork that told stories, so I begin displaying my artwork with words, mostly poetry.
It was a natural progression to begin to write stories using a main character is an artist and to incorporate the experiences I had as a nurse. I started writing novels in 2014.
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How many hours a day do you write?
I don’t have any set schedule for writing. In a perfect world, I would write fours every morning. But instead, I write whenever I can. When I’m involved in a story, it pulls me in and I let other things go and I just want to write.
How many unpublished or half-finished books do you have?
Only one, the current book- the last book in The KNOT II trilogy- The Anchor Knot
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
It takes 6-9 months to write fiction. Then another 4-6 months to edit and publish
My non-fiction, a self-help book- Discover Gold, took 5 years to write.
Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?
Every novel that I have written, gives a voice to a social issue. This one will do the same. The story line will progress from the previous book as it is a series. With a family saga, the characters are already established but they go on to solve a different dilemma.
How did you develop your plots? How do you select the names of your characters?
I’m lucky in the regard that I am a pantser. I write without a roadmap- if I make the time to write, the characters write the story. They surprise me at times and that is a good feeling. I use the first names of people who would fit in with those particular characters’ role.
If you didn’t write what would you do for work?
I would create more paintings.
What is your favorite children’s book?
“Around the World in 80 Days” It’s a book that has always stuck with me.
Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction?
Yes, Willa Cather’s, “The Troll Garden” collection of short stories. It is written with so much raw emotion, that it encourages me to put more emotions in print and leave nothing barred. Some readers tell me that my novels are too upsetting because of the emotions that they bring out.
What are you working on?
As I mentioned before, I am finishing the last of six books in The KNOT Series- The Anchor Knot! This is exciting as when I started, I only envisioned one book and it morphed into six.
Do you read book reviews? How do you deal with good and bad ones?
I enjoy reading reviews. The good ones are of course received with much gratitude, the bad ones, I tell myself that not every book is for every person.
None of my friends are well-known authors- well, not just yet! I have friends who are authors, and we help each other by reading and giving advice, and just being encouraging and supportive of each other.
What is your advice for aspiring writers?
Just write and write and read and read! Try to improve your craft. Learn from others mistakes and successes.
What is the best thing about being a writer?
I get to use my imagination and stretch it to the max. When I was younger, I was called a daydreamer. As a writer, I still daydream, but I do it with purpose.
Will you have a new book coming out soon?
October of 2021- I published True Love Knot: entangled, the 5th book in the Knot Series and in November 2021- I published my first non-fiction book- ‘Discover Gold: achieve happiness and reach for dreams in your life’s next chapter.’ For the first 6 months of this year, I will be touring with The KNOT Series and doing workshops with Discover Gold. However, I would like to get The Anchor Knot published by the end of this year, it will be a stretch, but if I get into the story and it writes itself, anything is possible.
What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you?
I welcome my readers to share their thoughts. My website is: www.donnaleeoverly.com, Facebook page: DonnaLee Overly Author. I also have a Goodreads account under DonnaLee Overly
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