Interview with Ali Dean

---

Ali has always loved to read, especially when there's a happily ever after, but found that there weren't enough books out there featuring girl athletes. So, she decided to work on that. Like the heroines in her books, Ali is an athlete, with running and skiing her favorite sports these days. Ali hails from Vermont and now lives in her own happily-ever-after in Colorado with her husband, boy-girl twins, and golden retriever Pancake. When she's not pursuing an outdoor adventure, Ali's less healthy passions include ice cream, coffee, and beer.

---

What was your first ever book you wrote? What was your inspiration?

Pepped Up. I was reading a lot of great sports romances at the time but couldn't find anything featuring girl athletes, so I decided to write what I wanted to read!

Hindsight is 20/20. What is one thing you would change about the book?

That's tricky! I don't know that I would change the words in the book because if I went back to every story I wrote and second-guessed it I'd never sleep at night. However, I do wish I had believed in it more and been braver about really going for it on the promotional front. At the time, I never thought I'd write a book, or a romance book in particular. I didn't know if it was any good, and I didn't tell anyone that I'd written it. My husband knew I was working on something but when I hit click to self-publish, I told no one. I also spent zero dollars on promotion, and attempted to do my own cover at first (with zero graphic design experience, it didn't even fit properly in the cover image dimensions). Now, this was in late 2013, right before the market got really saturated. I could still get away with this and manage to gain some traction, which is not the case anymore. But, had I been more willing to really go for it, I think I could have had a lot more success. Hey, at least I clicked self-publish so there's that!

How often do you base characters off of people you know in real life whether or not the story they’re in has anything to do with the real-life person?

Honestly, I don't intend to base characters off people I know in real life, but I do think it happens subconsciously. Some of my favorite characters I've written are probably more combinations of my favorite people, on reflection. But in the midst of writing I'm not really thinking about that. The characters just take over and I try not to get in their way lol.

How many books have you written? Are there any you haven’t published?

I've published all the books I've finished! 14 total so far with a trilogy about to release in September and October this year.

The first book of the Defiance Falls trilogy is coming out September 19, 2019. What is your favorite character from the book?

Oh that is so hard! I love all the characters! Do I have to pick one? Fine. I guess Cruz Donovan, the main guy character, is my favorite. He's got a good heart, wants to do the right thing even when it's not in his best interest, and is the kind of leader you want in a relationship and/or group of friends.

Out of all of the characters you have created. Is the above character your favorite? Why or why not?

You ask the hardest questions ever! Oh man, I would say Pepper Jones is my favorite, if I had to choose, if only because I spent six books (seven if you include the spinoff) with her and she grew up over nearly a decade during that time. She remained the same person with the same core traits but she grew so much stronger, tougher, and it was awesome to write that kind of character development over time.

What is something you want to tell fans about Defiance Falls before it comes out?

You gotta know going in it ends on cliffhanger. I feel like it's not-so-nice to leave out that kind of warning! It's filled with suspense and secrets and I'm told from early ARC reviews that it's my best book yet which is so amazing to hear after being at this for nearly six years now!

Who is on your Mount Rushmore of Authors? In other words, who is the top 4 (dead or alive) authors who inspired you or influences your writing?

Tijan, Colleen Hoover, Penny Reid, and Jewel E. Ann.

How did you get into writing professionally? Did you always want to?

You know, it wasn't really something I thought I'd do at first. I always liked writing but I went to law school so thought any writing would happen in that field. It took nearly five years of self-publishing "on the side" before I finally owned it that yes, writing professionally was my dream. It's been a little over a year that I've been writing full time and it was the best decision ever.

Are you already thinking about your next book?

Always! The next, and the one after that, and after that.... but they're just kind of mulling around in my head right now. It usually doesn't come together until I actually start writing - putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard or whatever the modern expression is these days.

---

Want to know more about Ali Dean? Check out her website or follow her on social media!