Please help me give a big Hoosblog welcome to Danielle Keil!
Danielle Keil grew up in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard. Danielle has been happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband. Danielle’s love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple. The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).
Tell us about your book!
Dear Max is my latest! It’s the last in the 10 book Love Notes series that follows the students of Ryder High. Each month at Ryder, someone gets a teal envelope on their locker. Inside is a note that says they have a Secret Admirer and they have one month to figure out who it is.
The books in the series came out on the first of the month as well, and each book followed a different girl, different personality, different trope, and a different method of clue giving (from scavenger hunts, crossword puzzles, flirty text messages, etc).
Max is the last and it’s even more special because it’s the first from a guy POV and the first time a girl has ever been the Secret Admirer! Max is a huge goofball, loves playing pranks, and getting into shenanigans, so it’s a fun book!
Buy the first book in the series, Dear McKinnon!
Now for the fun stuff!
What’s your favorite genre? Do you read what you write?
I love YA Romance! I’m a mood reader too, though, so I’ll give most things a try if I’m in the right mood!
I’m learning that I’m very much the same way. I was strictly a YA romance reader for a long time but I’m trying to branch out.
What’s your favorite part about writing?
My favorite part is becoming ‘friends’ with all my characters. I love them so much and I love when my readers love them!
Ooh, that is a fun part of writing! Sometimes I wish I could hang out with my imaginary friends.
What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
Plotting. And sticking to a plot. It’s an issue I’m trying to work on!
I really enjoy plotting, but my characters sometimes stray from where I want them to go.
What’s an activity unrelated to writing that you love?
Being in the pool! I used to be a lifeguard, swim coach, aquatics department manager, you name it, I did it! The pool is my home and now I literally have one in my backyard!
I’m a water baby too. The pool sounds like a great place to spend your time!
Who’s your biggest cheerleader?
Besides my other author friends, my daughter! She’s almost 9 and loves to know all about my books and writing. She even published a book herself this past summer!
It sounds like you’re a wonderful influence on her. <3
Now I’d like to play a fun little game called This or That. As a writer, I find that a lot of interviews ask the same questions, so I always appreciate sharing something new about myself. I’m super excited about these questions—and I hope you enjoy them!
Introvert or extrovert? Extroverted introvert. I love being around the *right* people, but if not, leave me alone, please and thank you.
Morning or night person? Night
Coffee or tea? Coffee 24/7
Sweet or salty? Sweet, unless its sea salt caramel dark chocolate anything. That wins always.
Eternal summer or four seasons? I despise cold and snow (coming from a lifetime of living in Chicagoland), so summer!
Mountains or beach? Beach!
Dogs or cats? Dogs, especially Corgis
Over 5’5” or under? Over
Left or right-handed? Righty, but I somehow have 2 lefty kids…
Hoodie or yoga pants? Both. In the same outfit. Every day.
Ha! I ask the hoodie and yoga pants question because that’s what I’m wearing the majority of the time. And I LOVE dark chocolate sea salt caramels!
Danielle, thank you much for spending this time with me and my readers. I’ve enjoyed this so much! Anything else you’d like to add?
It’s my new life mission to remind people that Young Adult is for everyone, no matter your age. The YA genre means the character is a teenager, not the reader!! Anyone and everyone should read YA!
I agree 100%!! Readers, you can find Danielle at these links—and be sure to check out Dear McKinnon and the Love Notes series!
Website | Social Links | Amazon Author Page
Buy Dear McKinnon!
If you missed the previous interviews, you can read them here.
