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Dana Marton | When Your Hobby Becomes Your Job – and Giveaway!
October 4, 2010
I love writing. I love creating characters with nothing more than a blank page
and an active imagination, then breathing life into those characters with my
words and emotions. When I worked in corporate America, writing was my hobby and my lifeline. I
spent far too many hours each day lost in the maze of cubicles, but because
writing was my hobby, I could escape that gray world every time I thought about
the story I was writing at the time. Now I’m blessed with the opportunity to write for a living. THE SPY WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS
is my twenty-third book with Harlequin Intrigue, a number that astonishes and
humbles me. I still love writing as much as I ever did, and I know how lucky I
am to have the freedom to do something professionally that gives me so much
pleasure personally. But... You knew a "but" was coming, didn’t you? But once I began to sell my books, I no longer had a hobby. I couldn’t exactly
just switch my former vocation and avocation. Well, I could, but who wants to
create spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations in their free time? So I decided that I needed a new hobby. Having a hobby is an important part of
living a well-rounded life. A couple of years ago, I took up oil painting. I mentioned painting here and
there, and readers kept asking me to share my work. It took some time, but
finally I felt confident enough to post a few of my paintings to my website, My books are dark and dangerous, with action from page one straight through to
the end, action that only takes a breather for tension of a different sort
altogether — sexual tension. So you might expect my paintings to be edgy
and harsh. They’re not. I tend to paint pastoral scenes, peaceful slices of an
idyllic life.
My books are hot and fast-paced, so you might expect my readers to have a
take-no-prisoners attitude toward the world. They don’t. Turns out, I have the
sweetest readers in the world. They’re unfailingly kind and generous when they
write to me about my artwork. What are your hobbies? What do you do to relax? What is something you’ve always
wanted to try, something that looks fun to you? What’s holding you back from
trying it? Contest: If reading is one of your hobbies, I hope you’ll pick up THE SPY WHO SAVED
CHRISTMAS, and I hope you’ll click the Like button on my Facebook page, . Every time we reach another 100 people,
I’ll hold a random drawing for an Amazon gift card, so be sure to suggest my
page to your friends, too!
Also, one lucky commenter on today’s blog will win a free copy of a book from my
backlist. Dana Marton is the
award-winning author of twenty-three books with Harlequin Intrigue. The latest
is The Spy Who Saved
Christmas, more of a Die Hard kind of Christmas story than It’s a Wonderful
Life. High stakes, instead of fruitcakes. Dana is known for her
fast-paced action and sexy, emotional romance. Dangerous men, thrilling women.
Connect with Dana
online at her website.
and on her facebook page.
Comments
40 comments posted.
Re: Dana Marton | When Your Hobby Becomes Your Job – and Giveaway!
Quite the sense of humor you have- "who wants to created spreadsheets and pp presentations in their spare time?" No one I know! Painting is a great hobby. I'll have to check out your work. Personally, reading is my first leisure time love and then knitting.
Your book sounds exciting and full of action. Thanks for the giveaway!
(Karen Gervasi 8:05am October 4, 2010)
Karen, I always get the urge to knit when the weather turns cold. I knit lots of scarves. I badly want to learn how to knit socks.
Dana
(Dana Marton 10:12am October 4, 2010)
I would say my biggest hobby is reading... the more reading the better!!!!! I like to knit too. Dana I did semi succefully made a pair of socks... I am currently working on my second part... When winter rolls around I really really want to go snowboarding.. Not good at it. Spend a lot of time on my butt... But it is still fun.....
(Kelly Mueller 12:46pm October 4, 2010)
I also love painting and my family are eagerly awaiting Christmas...hehe!! I am going to paint my daughter a large landscape for her livingroom for her birthday.
I also love cross stitching and am at the moment in the middle of stitching Christmas cards. I know my family and friends will enjoy them.
Of course, reading is a big hobby and I do that as often as possible and manage three to four books a week!!!
Valerie
in Germany
(Valerie Bongards 1:38pm October 4, 2010)
I read and travel (and read while I travel).
(Anne Muller 1:45pm October 4, 2010)
Reading is my fav hobby, but I also love to draw!
(Colleen Conklin 2:36pm October 4, 2010)
I enjoy reading, drawing, painting, watching movies, practicing yoga,and cooking. I want to learn to crotchet, I've tried,but had problems learning. I'm going to try to learn this artform.
(Leni Kaye 2:39pm October 4, 2010)
Kelly--I'm jealous of your sock success! :-)
Valerie--Wow, a large landscape. I haven't been that brave yet. I'm still practicing on smaller subjects. The Christmas cards sound amazing. Your family are very luck!!!
Anne--I read a lot more than I travel. I LOVE being in far away places, but I HATE getting there. LOL
Colleen--I'm trying to learn to draw better. Someone told me that practicing to draw will make my painting better. Do you have your drawings posted anywhere online?
Leni--Sounds like you're very artistic! I started yoga a few weeks ago. I couldn't go last week and really missed it. I really love how I feel afterwards. How long have you been donig it?
(Dana Marton 2:47pm October 4, 2010)
I love to read. Only tried writing in high school. Watch a little tv at night, but most of the time I'm reading.
(Lena Lee 4:50pm October 4, 2010)
I love to read, knit, crochet & embroider. At the moment I am knitting & crotcheting a patchwork rug.
(Mary Preston 5:01pm October 4, 2010)
I read and play pool for my hobbies/to relax. Also, hang out with my cats. A purring body really does relax you!
(Kelli Jo Calvert 5:17pm October 4, 2010)
I Love to read - wish that could be my job! My latest hobby is renovating my parents house & all the things in it from all my grandparents.
(Diane Sallans 6:26pm October 4, 2010)
How very fortunate you are! Wonderful!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 6:27pm October 4, 2010)
When I'm not writing or reading I love to scrapbook. Though I can't claim scrapbook as relaxing... :)
(Suzie Thompson 6:54pm October 4, 2010)
Reading and playing golf are my hobbies---love both of them so much that it's hard to find time for work!
(Sue Farrell 7:32pm October 4, 2010)
I have a lot of hobbies. I love to read,crochet,knit,tat,enter sweepstakes and I have several pets as well. I grow poultry for a living so I am at home all the time.
Debby Creager
(Debby Creager 7:42pm October 4, 2010)
Reading is my favorite hobby, whether books or online. I also love going to the beach and taking walks. I've gone through so many hobbies in the past that I'm thinking of cycling through them again. :)
(S Tieh 7:59pm October 4, 2010)
My hobbies include reading, writing fiction, poetry, sewing and home projects and singing. I checked out your website and the art was enjoyable with unique color schemes.
(Alyson Widen 8:45pm October 4, 2010)
I love to cook and to read in order to relax. Something that I would also love to try is ballroom dancing. However, I lack a willing partner.
(G. Bisbjerg 8:47pm October 4, 2010)
I love to read- although I
haven't had as much time
lately; I've started a new job
(and loving it). My daughter
would say I'm addicted to
facebook - especally farmville
& zoo. My reading tends to
the suspense/mystery type --
and for years I subscribed to
Intrigue. Now I buy those at
the bookstore, while my
subscription is the Love
Inspired Suspense. I'm
looking forward to buying "The
Spy Who Saved Christmas".
(Donna Durnell 10:03pm October 4, 2010)
Your book looks great! I love to read and enter online contests. I really wish I could knit, macrame or crochet but just haven't been able to learn. I also love baking so this is one of my favorite times of year!
(Sharla Long 10:10pm October 4, 2010)
I usually read or talk a walk to relax.
(Chantel Williams 10:18pm October 4, 2010)
I love reading even got an e-reader so I could travel lightly; I also knit and crochet.
(Diane Sadler 10:35pm October 4, 2010)
I have done stamp collecting, coin collecting, comic books collecting, reading, gardening,cooking, crocheting...hmmmm. I need to try knitting as a hobby. I haven't done that yet.
Love your books.
(Kai Wong 11:02pm October 4, 2010)
I love reading, dancing when my back isn't bothering me, traveling and spending time with my family as none live close by. Lately I've gotten some beads and have been making book thongs. I love to visit my 95 year old grandmother who still works and plays cards, spends time doing things in her community in her small town.
(Brenda Rupp 11:17pm October 4, 2010)
I'll definately have to read your book, one way or the other!! If you want to have a hobby that works for you, gives you a way to relax, and is fulfilling, you should learn how to knit or crochet. All you need to do in the beginning is start for 15 to 20 minutes in the beginning to get the hang of it until you start to feel comfortable, then you can start with larger time frames. Pretty soon you'll be like me and the other die hards who take their knitting projects with them everywhere in a knitting bag, and knit in the car, and any time they have to wait in line somewhere, or at the doctors' office, or a store, for example. It's so therapeutic and fun to watch the item you're working on taking shape on your needles, and it's more fun when you can give the item to someone you love, and watch their eyes light up with joy when they receive it. My next hobby is to start making items for certain people in need, in memory of my Mother, who passed away. I just need cash flow right now to get some supplies to get started. Then I can get started in that direction. Anyway, the sky is your limit. Do something you find beautiful, and read about it on the internet, or ask your readers if they've done it before. We're here to guide you as friends. Good luck with what you decide.
(Peggy Roberson 12:20pm October 5, 2010)
My hobbies are reading, gardening,
crafts, sewing, traveling, history,a little
bit of everything. Writing, playing
piano, and painting are things I wish I
could do. They take talent which I
have discovered I don't have. I can
still appreciate the results of those
with talent.
I have checked your back list and there
are several books there I plan to read.
I Read the Intrigues and can't believe I
have missed yours. Will fix that soon.
(Patricia Barraclough 12:20pm October 5, 2010)
Thank you for giving me a chance to win your book,I love to read books and crochet, I would like to learn to knit.
(Linda Hall 12:43pm October 5, 2010)
I love reading and playing Monopoly with my kids :)
(Darci Paice 1:13am October 5, 2010)
I'm so glad reading is such a popular hobby! It has always been a huge part of my life. You all gave me some new ideas I'll have to try now. And I definitely won't give up on knitting yet. Those socks will be made!!!! :-)
Wishing everyone a wonderful day!
Dana
(Dana Marton 5:41am October 5, 2010)
Thank you so much for sharing your story with everyone and I would love to paint, but as seeing as a stick figures are about the only things I draw well, yeah. lol
I love to read and I write poetry, these are my main hobbies. I am working out a story and hope to one day be published myself. :)
Best wishes and I hope you reach your 100 more fans soon.
(Chris Jones 9:38am October 5, 2010)
I decorate cakes occasionally. It's an artistic outlet for me. (Sounds kind of funny, but it's true.) I've done a few wedding cakes,and I made a pool table, complete with icing "nets" as the pockets, the same color bed as his real pool table, and tiny little candy pool balls. The cue was a thin, chocolate-coated candy stick. It turned out really well and looked just like his pool table!
(Jan Vautard 10:34am October 5, 2010)
I absolutely love to READ.
(Audra Holtwick 10:41am October 5, 2010)
I love reading , gardering and my kids oh and reading:0)
(Vickie Hightower 12:42pm October 5, 2010)
What are your hobbies? Reading.
What do you do to relax? Sit at the Beach and Read.
What is something you’ve always wanted to try, something that looks fun to you? Play an instrument.
What’s holding you back from trying it? I spend a lot of my time reading fast-paced intriguing books.
(Karen Appleby 3:46pm October 5, 2010)
My hobbies are gardening, flowers, and reading.
To relax I also go to my yard and work or sit on patio and read or watch a good movie.
I always wanted to be a writer and had 3 articles published in local newspaper and have written 2 short stories and have two other stories I need to finish when my life gets back to my "normal", lol.
Love your stories from reading reviews etc. but don't think I have ever read any of your books. Hope I win one this time. Thanks for this opportunity to enter.
(Brenda Hill 4:17pm October 5, 2010)
I love to play poker, read books, watch movies, dance. I've always wanted to try skydiving but just cant get up the nerve
(Mary Lynn Hayes 7:31pm October 5, 2010)
I've never read any of your books before, but they sound amazing
(Jolene Allcock 8:35pm October 5, 2010)
Thanks for a chance to win your book.
(Tiffany Harvey 9:53pm October 5, 2010)
Love to read anything dark, dangerous, paranormal and on and on....your books sound great, I will add you to my list of new authors....from another Book-a-holic!!
(Barb Kettler 11:15am October 11, 2010)
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