Dispatch from Danielle Trussoni - January 2024
Happy New Year to you! My 2024 started on my rooftop in San Miguel de Allende, watching the fireworks explode above the park.
While there’s something wonderful about starting the year off with big explosions, I inevitably start to wonder if there will be anything to top them throughout the year. This year I know for certain that there will be something bright and fiery happening: the publication of my new novel THE PUZZLE BOX, coming to you October 8th 2024.
THE PUZZLE BOX follows Mike Brink, the world’s most clever puzzle master, to Japan, where he’s been invited to open the most deadly, difficult puzzle in history: The Dragon Box. Needless to say, he finds himself entangled in a dangerous, thrilling adventure that leads him to discoveries that will change the world. Stay tuned here for more news!
Sometimes people ask me what I do when I’m not writing. There are many things I do to relax, but the one that I find most addicting is knitting. I love the creative aspect of it, the tactile nature of the yarn in my hand, and the way the repetition allows me to think. I made these two sweaters last year. The pink one is for my daughter…What do you think?
TruReader of the Month
As a continuation of a newer feature in the newsletter, here is the next installment of Reader of the Month. Each month I’ll feature one of my extraordinary readers. If you’d like to be featured, write to me at danielle@danielletrussoni.com.
Please say hello to Liz!
Liz Phillips lives in a small town in Northern Ohio in the U.S. not too far from Lake Erie. She narrates audiobooks for a living while also raising two crazy little boys. Her sons are Maverick who is 6 years old and Troy who is 3 years old. She’s still madly in love with her husband Nathan. They’ve been married since 2012.
Q) What are your favorite kinds of books to read?
A) My favorite type of book to read is something that gives me a fun escape from everyday life. I love mystery/thrillers with a strong touch of fantasy. I prefer books that have lots of mystery and a unique plot-line that keeps me guessing. So I guess it’s no wonder that I fell in love with Angelology by Danielle!
Q) What are some of your hobbies and passions?
A) Some of my hobbies include reading (of course!), any type of jigsaw puzzle, studying different theologies, all types of board games, any Zelda game, and impromptu dance parties with my family. I love long hikes and being in the woods. Also my husband and I are avid Japanese Sumo fans and have a fun low-stakes league we run each time there’s a basho.
Q) Why do you love to read?
A) I love reading because it’s just a lovely escape but I also think it’s really important to learn from stories and the people in them.
Part of the reason I love being able to narrate audiobooks for a living is because I get to empathize with people so different from me and see them go through such different situations. Plus I love that feeling when you read a book and become so immersed in the world and attached to the characters. The more a book evokes strong emotions from me the better!
Thanks for joining us this month!
Q&A
Finally, I opened the floor to my friends on social media again this month to take any questions about my new books or the writing/reading/publishing world at large. If you have a question you want me to answer, send an email to dtrussoniassistant@gmail.com
Q) How do you choose what to write about? I’m sure as a writer you have so many different ideas.
A) That is a difficult question to answer, because sometimes the subject of a novel will come to me while I’m writing something else. For me, the process of writing actually unlocks the imagination. Ideas come while I’m at work. It makes me think of the Picasso quote. He said that the muse finds him while he’s working. And that is definitely the case for me. When I don’t have any ideas, I’ll sit down and just write something terrible, anything at all, and see if anything emerges. The first element of writing, in my opinion, is not scintillating ideas, crystalline prose, or even brilliant storytelling abilities (although these things are important of course), it is consistency. Writing every day, or at least going to my desk to think about my work, is essential to my process.
Thank you for spending your time with me. For updates, join me on my website, and across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Yours,
Danielle
When are we to expect the final book in the Angelology series?