I’ve met Seleste deLaney over this wonderful forum full of writers and have noticed her quick wit and readiness to always help a friend in need…and she’s quite the writer, too.
AM: I didn’t really know what to expect reading Badlands –being classified under ‘romance’ sub-genre and all– but I found the steampunk and action elements so strong, it made me wonder: was the developing relationship between your two main characters planned or did it just happen as you wrote the story?
Seleste deLaney: Thanks for the compliment! Actually, the romance was planned from the beginning. Personally, I like stories where there’s a really even balance between action, non-action drama, world-building, and romance, so that’s what I strive to write. It’s frustrating for me as an author because some places label Badlands only as steampunk, and a lot of steampunk fans were irritated by the romance. Hence, I’m really glad most places have the proper label on it LOL.
AM: I keep asking myself what identifies a story as romance, because sex scenes are present in most novels nowadays. Could it be that in the romance genre, the male counterpart cares more deeply and shows more feeling than in literary novels? How do you as a writer decide: ok, this is romance, because…
Seleste deLaney: For the most part, I’m a plotter, so romance is woven in from the earliest stages. I was once told that unless the love story between the main characters WAS the primary plot, it wasn’t a romance. Personally, I don’t believe that. For me, it qualifies as a romance if falling in love is a major plotline and on a level at or very near the external conflict. That may or may not mean sex. But in the case of Badlands, the heroine has a specific set of ideas about sex, love, and men. Her change in viewpoint (brought on in part by an unexpected sexual attraction) is another defining characteristic of a romance: where falling in love changes one of the characters in a substantial way. In general, I look at it like this: if you can take out the characters falling in love, and it doesn’t alter the plot and/or climax, then it isn’t a romance. The characters falling in live needs to be integral to the story as a whole. After all, people don’t fall in love isolated from the rest of their lives.
AM: I couldn’t help but totally get immerse into Badlands’ world: women rule part of the country, it’s dusty and dry like the Wild West, and the techno-steam is the right amount of punk. Where did you gather the inspiration for it, and how do you plan to keep it going for the second instalment?
Seleste deLaney: The story was inspired by a piece on DeviantArt that someone said reminded them of me. It was this lone woman on the top of a cliff, streaked with blood, weapons by her side…and I knew I had to tell her story. As far as keeping it going, the second story is Henrietta’s, so the way we see the Badlands is a little different. It’s an outsider’s image rather than someone who has known it all her life. Plus, there’s more ground travel involved (though the Dark Hawk is still in it), so we get to see different sections of the landscape.
AM: I love companions – can’t wait to read Henrietta’s story!! Last questions: why did you adopt a nom de plume, and what inspire you to become Seleste DeLaney?
Seleste deLaney: I decided to write under a pseudonym because I also write YA. My identities aren’t a secret, but I wanted to ensure that teen readers didn’t pick up my adult stories accidentally. As for choosing the pen name, the first part was easy. Seleste is a variation of the name I’ve been known by online for years (as well as my Pagan name). The last name was a combination of things. First, I wanted to pay homage to my favorite author and the woman who encouraged me to pursue publication, Kelley Armstrong, so a friend and I were going through the last names of her minor characters, looking for a last name that fit well with Seleste. When we ran across Delaney, I knew I wanted that one since the main character in the first novel I worked on when I got serious about my writing was named Delaney Craft. (It was only after I chose the name that Kelley’s The Gathering came out and it ended up Maya’s last name was Delaney, which killed my whole “minor character” plan LOL).
Seleste’s books are available here and Julie Particka’s here. Yes, they’re one writer, but the genres are quite different.
Anne Michaud 
August 1st, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Another excellent interview, Anne! I’m a huge steampunk fan, and romance is always something that attracts me to a story. I’ll be putting this on my wish list when I get my ereader. And I found the pseudonym bit very interesting. Thanks for sharing how you came up w/the great name!
August 1st, 2011 at 2:22 pm
You’re in for a treat, Anita – Badlands is excellent:)
August 1st, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Thanks, Anita! I hope you enjoy Badlands 🙂
August 1st, 2011 at 2:28 pm
I love it when I learn something new from these interviews. I didn’t know how Sel got her last name and I love Sel’s explanation regarding “romance.”
Can’t wait for Henri’s story!
August 1st, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Me too, Henri’s such an interesting character to develop.
August 1st, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Thanks, Danni! Henri’s story is giving me a few fits, but I would expect nothing less from her (damn woman wants everything, I swear :P)
August 1st, 2011 at 4:50 pm
A great interview Anne. Fun, quirky and of course a couple of great characters chatting. Magical.
August 1st, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Aww, Gareth:)
August 1st, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Hehe thanks, Gareth!
August 4th, 2011 at 9:44 am
I didn’t know about the pen name background either – love the way these questions form and get to some interesting tidbits of information – not the usual interview questions getting the same kind of responses – very cool!
I’m very interested in steampunk – not to write, I don’t think but I’m curious about it as a reader – I think it might be time to explore.
August 4th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Angie – Badlands is a GREAT introduction to the steampunk genre. And thanks, I try to steer clear of ‘normal’ interviews… 😉
August 4th, 2011 at 11:35 pm
I love interviews that aren’t the same old questions all the time. The name thing is almost embarrassing to me because of Kelley naming a major character with that last name after I’d picked it as a “minor character’s name”, but at least it’s an entertaining story LOL
August 4th, 2011 at 10:02 am
Another excellent interview. You both have different writing styles, but some things you share in common: a willingness to help, and an uncanny eye for finding the solution to a problem. Cheers!
August 4th, 2011 at 10:13 am
Thanks, Di!! You’re so sweet – and share those qualities as well;)
August 4th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
Thanks, Dianne! *hugs*
August 4th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
A great interview from two great ladies. Thanks Anne.
August 4th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Thanks, Gareth:)
August 4th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Two Gareths? *blink* Thanks for stopping by 😉
August 4th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
I enjoyed the interview. I especially loved Sel’s reasoning about romance and whether taking it out or not alters the story line. It’s made me rethink my story perception, and whether its a romance or not. Some enjoyable explanations about Sel’s name choice and where she got the idea for her story. I found the whole interview insightful and fun to read. Great interview questions & answers. Thanks for sharing this. 🙂
August 4th, 2011 at 8:20 pm
And thanks for stopping by, Pat;)
August 4th, 2011 at 11:37 pm
Hi Pat! A lot of romance authors would totally disagree with my opinions on romance, so take that as you will LOL. Thanks 🙂
August 5th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Wonderful interview Anne and Seleste! I’m a sucker for romance and love when it makes its way into stories of all genres. Looking forward to reading Badlands.
🙂 Lisa
August 5th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
It’s a great story – Seleste is one heck of a writer.
August 6th, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Thanks Lisa! I hope you like it 🙂
And, Anne, you’re going to make me start blushing ❤