Author Davalyn Durso talks about her debut novel, Dangerous Allegiances, and shares her two tips for dealing with imposter syndrome.
Davalyn Durso’s Book & Writing Process
Table of Contents
Q: What is the title of your book and what is it about?
A: Dangerous Allegiances – mafia action comedy
Publication date: December 31, 2024
Q: What genre is Dangerous Allegiances?
A: Mafia romance with action, comedy, found family, and healing love.
That’s an interesting combination, and I love books with found families that highlight the healing power of love.
Q: What inspired you to write Dangerous Allegiances, and how did you come up with the idea for it?
A: My own personal story inspired it. I needed a way to process trauma. The first thing that came to me was the villain. By the end of the writing process, the story had changed in a way that by the end of the book, it was no longer the face of a person who’d hurt me but rather the face of a fictional villain.
Writing portions of our stories can be a healing process. I’m glad you could process your trauma in this manner, and I hope your readers will enjoy the perspective you present in this book.
Q: What themes and tropes are included in Dangerous Allegiances?
A: Found family, healing love, loving from afar, and she’s the last to know she’s in love.
Ooh, she’s the last to know. I enjoy those moments in fiction when the character finally realizes they’re in love.
Q: Who is the ideal reader for Dangerous Allegiances?
A: People who love comedy, action, heist stories, espionage, and strong family bonds.
This sounds like a fun combination.
Q: What’s the one thing you want readers to take away from reading Dangerous Allegiances?
A: Leaning on people you love helps you heal.
Yes! That’s a powerful lesson—the right support system is a wonderful asset to the healing process.
Q: Are you a plotter, pantser, or plantser? Share a bit of your writing process.
A: Pantser 100%
LOL. I love how bold you are with that admission.
Q: How do you develop your plots?
A: I write out my thoughts in the first draft and keep refining it throughout the next few drafts.
That’s a detailed process. I imagine your draft gets tighter with each round.
Q: How do you choose your character names?
A: It depends on the character. If the character is inspired by a person, they might share an initial. For sibling groups, I like having alphabetical names. Sometimes, there’s meaning behind the name, but a lot of the time I pick names I like.
I also pick names I like, especially for the main characters. For minor ones, it doesn’t matter as much.
Q: What does a typical writing session for you look like?
A: Listening to music and drinking coffee. I sit in a coffee shop or at my desk at home. Headphones on and give myself grace if I can only write a few words.
I love that! Giving ourselves grace is something many others miss out.
Q: What makes a great story?
A: It depends on the reader. A great story is one that touches the person reading it.
Yes! What one reader considers a great story is mediocre to another.
Q: How do you manage writer’s block?
A: I’ll let you know when I find a foolproof way.
LOL. I hope you find an answer.
Q: How do you deal with imposter syndrome?
A: I remind myself that there are a few people who like what I’ve written already AND I started writing for me. No one else.
Exactly! Every reader has authors they like. As long as we’re writing what fulfills us, we’ll eventually find readers who connect with our work.
Q: How do you handle criticism or negative feedback?
A: It depends. If it comes from a person whose opinion I trust, I take it with humility. But if it comes from someone I don’t know or didn’t ask for feedback from, I usually ignore it.
That’s a great response and an important designation.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of writing and publishing? How did you (do you plan to) overcome it?
A: When it came to publishing, finding the right path for me.
This is key, as it takes time to determine which path is best for each of us.
Q: How do you use social media as an author?
A: I try to use it to make connections and marketing. I’m not great at it, but I try.
That’s the best thing any of us can do—keep trying.
Q: Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
A: From the people who have poured into me.
Wonderful!
Q: What keeps you writing when you get demotivated?
A: Knowing that there may be someone out there who needs to know what I’m writing.
Yes! We’re not writing just for ourselves, but for those who need to read the stories we’re telling.
Q: Why do you write?
A: To tell the stories overwhelming my mind.
Great answer.
Writing Advice from Davalyn Durso
Q: What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting?
A: Just keep going. Don’t stop. It seems hard now, but it is so worth it!
Excellent advice. So many writers give up before they finish their first book.
Q: What’s the best piece of writing advice you ever received? How has it impacted your life?
A: Keep going. It goes for so much more than writing.
I agree—perseverance serves us in every area of our lives.
Q: What are your tips for developing characters?
A: Be real. Make the dialogue natural, and have realistic wants and needs for the characters.
Yes. People want characters they can relate to.
Q: Do you have any advice for setting author goals?
A: Not really. Everyone has different goals and dreams for writing. It entirely depends on the person.
True.
Q: How do you find time to write?
A: I get up really early in the morning to give myself time.
This works well for many people. Other alternatives are staying up later or using a part of lunch or break times. It’s amazing what we can accomplish in even fifteen minutes of dedicated effort a day.
Q: What are your tips for meeting deadlines?
A: Be reasonable if you set your own deadlines.
So true. Too often we forget deadlines are flexible.
Q: What are your suggestions for marketing books and getting them into the hands of new readers?
A: Find people who need the story and market it to them. And if you aren’t good at marketing, it’s ok to admit that and ask for help. I did.
Asking for help is great advice. The wonderful thing is that there are a lot of resources available. The key is to seek recommendations from other authors for reputable and qualified professionals.
Q: If you could go back and change one thing in your author career, what would it be and why?
A: Maybe the way I started marketing. I think I could’ve done it differently.
Q: What is one writing resource that you couldn’t do without?
A: Reedsy and Google Docs! Oh my word, couldn’t live without them.
Reedsy is one of my favorite resources as well.
Just for Fun
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why?
A: Speed reading. I want to be able to read more than I am reading now.
I completely understand. That way, you can consume even more content.
Q: If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be and why?
A: The Weasley twins, I adore their creativity and would love to hear them tell stories.
I’m sure they have some great ones!
Q: What is your favorite book and why?
A: Frankenstein. I’ve never encountered a more complex and compelling story. There are complex morals and questions asked. It makes you question life itself.
Interesting. I’ve never read it, but I love your takeaways.
Q: If you were not a writer, what would you want to be and why?
A: I work in accessibility when I’m not writing. I love it. I love helping people empower themselves by traveling the world even when they have disabilities.
I love this! I’m glad that you get to empower people.
Q: If you could switch lives with any person for a day, who would it be and why?
A: Maybe my mother to understand how she sees me and the world.
That would be an interesting switch😀.
Q: What‘s the scariest thing you’ve ever done for fun?
A: Swam with sharks. Reef sharks.
Oy vey! 🤯That is scary!
Q: If your characters hosted a dinner party, who would cause the most chaos and why?
A: Luke Datar. He’s a 19-year-old kid with access to C-4. Every time he’s on the page, he’s causing chaos. He’s my absolute favorite character.
LOL. He sounds like a terror.
Q: What’s your writing kryptonite—the one thing that can completely derail your progress?
A: If my fingers slip off the keys too many times, I’ll get frustrated and am not able to write for a while.
Q: What’s a random fact you learned while researching your book that you can’t stop telling people?
A: How many joules of electricity a person can handle before passing out?
Huh. I don’t think there are many opportunities to share that particular tidbit.🤭
Q: If your characters had access to social media, what kind of content would they post?
A: The main girl would post about motorcycles and coffee bars. The MMC wouldn’t post much at all. The third main character, would post motorcycle content and being at the shooting range.
I’m sure they’d have quite a following!
Q: If your keyboard could talk, what would it say about your writing habits?
A: “STOP HITTING THE KEYS SO HARD”
LOL. Poor keyboard.
Q: Which character from another author’s book would you invite into your fictional world and why?
A: Maybe Kaz or Inej from Six of Crows. I would be curious to see how they would interact with my main two characters.
That would be interesting.
Q: What’s the one question you wish I’d asked and how would you answer it?
A: I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve done this.
LOL. I’m sure you’ll have one for the next time.
Let’s Connect with Davalyn Durso
Q: What are you working on next?
A: I’m not sure if I’m working on a sequel or a new story.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
About Dangerous Allegiances
Explore a world where power and betrayal are intricately linked, and unlikely alliances are formed in the shadows of New York City’s criminal underworld. The Commission, a coalition of the Thirteen Families, has long kept the peace among the city’s elite criminals.
However, with recent assassinations and deceit threatening this fragile balance, the city edges towards chaos. Can relationships survive as the city teeters on the edge of ruin?
25% of all proceeds are donated to nonprofits.
About Davalyn Durso
I am a military child, disability advocate, and writer, above all, I am a Christian. All of my stories benefit nonprofits.
Connect with Davalyn Durso on her Linktree | Facebook | Instagram