Darcy Flynn

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Joy Dent and I write clean and wholesome romance novels as Darcy Flynn. I’m originally from New Orleans, LA, and spent my childhood, riding streetcars, celebrating Mardi Gras and cheerleading for the University of New Orleans. I studied music and theatre in college and after I got married, my husband and I moved to Nashville, TN. I’m a former fashion model and Mrs. Tennessee and I now live on a horse farm just down the road in Franklin. And even though I’ve spent years surrounded by a menagerie of living creatures, I’m partial to my barn cats and my beautiful English Setters. I’ve written books and two short stories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Flight Time! My young adult, time travel adventure. My heroine, sixteen-year-old Rylee Dean has grown up hearing stories about her grandfather Jaxon C. Scott. She has inherited her grandfather’s love of flying, but on her first solo flight, a strange incident throws Rylee forty years into the past, bringing her face to face with her long-lost grandfather. Only he is a young man working as a test pilot for the US Air Force. Rylee knows she is the one who can save her grandfather’s life. But changing the past means the future will disappear, making Rylee’s existence vanish as well.
Flight Time is the story of my heart, as my own uncle disappeared in flight leaving behind his pregnant wife at the time. He was twenty-two-years-old and he, nor his plane, were ever found. As a child I heard many wonderful stories about him from my mother and grandmother and like Rylee, I so longed to know him.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t say that any of my habits are unusual. When I’m struck on a scene and need inspiration, I take a long walk on my farm and listen to my writer’s playlist. It varies from book to book. The music acts as the soundtrack for my story and can be helpful in bringing fresh words to the scene I’m thinking on. When that happens I stop, open up ‘Notes’ on my phone and start typing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’d have to say, Georgette Heyer. She is one of my favorite authors and the greatest influence on me as a writer. Her novel, Sylvester, was the first romance I’d ever read. I was fifteen and from that moment on I was hooked. Since then, I’ve read every one of her books and have a collection of her hardbacks in my office. Her stories are so much run, romps really, and I adore her characters so much. Even though I don’t write historical fiction, her writing has influenced the fun that’s a hallmark of my stories. I tell people there’s an F word associated with my books and it’s FUN!

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on another romanic suspense. I’m at 40K words on the first draft. Without giving too much away, my heroine is trying to solve a murder that took place twenty years ago. Most of my books are romantic comedies and this story will be my second romantic suspense. I’m really excited about this one. I find this genre a bit more difficult to write, but the reward and sense of accomplishment when I finish is magic. 😊

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Over the years I’ve tried many avenues to promote my books. At this time in my life, I’ve found focusing on one or two is best for me and my lifestyle. This gives me more time to write, which is what I love. I use my website now as more of a landing page where readers can visit and learn more about me and my books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
When I sit at my desk I tell myself, I get to write today. I get to go into a world of my own making and create something fun—something I love—something that will entertain others. There’s a quote I found years ago and it’s pinned to the corkboard near my desk. I have no idea who said it as there was no name attached to it. But for me it says it all. “Today I get to immerse myself in the beautiful struggles of imagination and creation.” When I enter that struggle and work a sentence or a paragraph to death, trying to express a particular emotion, the creative magic that occurs is beautiful.
You can be a gifted story teller, but when it comes down to it, self-discipline is core to your success. And that takes sitting in the chair and getting it done. Some days, the story just isn’t there, and staring at a blank page can be frustrating. Writers have a saying . . . you can’t fix a blank page. So choosing not to write is not an option. Over the years, I’ve found that I have to treat this like a job. I get up, have breakfast, get dressed, and go to work. If you do this, trust me it will be worth it, and the magic moments in your writing journey will happen.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You can’t fix a blank page.”
Always write something. That ‘something’ will lead to the next sentence, to the next paragraph. That leads to an idea and something to fix, something to build upon. Do not let fear stop you in hour tracks. Write.

What are you reading now?
Deception by C.J. Redwine.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have two novels that I’d like to turn into a series. One is Double Trouble and the other is Stowaway. Both novels have great secondary characters and I’ve had requests to tell her stories.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Gosh, there are so many, but since my current WIP is a romantic suspense, I’d have to chose, Loves Music Loves to Dance by Mary Higgins Clark. She’s one of my all time favorite romantic suspense authors. I’ve read all of her books and this is the one that has stood the test of time. I read it years ago and I can still tell you all about it. I think that’s rare.

Author Websites and Profiles
Darcy Flynn Website
Darcy Flynn Amazon Profile

Darcy Flynn’s Social Media Links
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