Debra Zannelli is a retired teacher assistant and a graduate of Mitchell College. She was raised in Cumberland, Rhode Island. For eighteen years she lived in Salem, Connecticut and worked in Norwich at the Chelsea Groton Savings Bank. She enjoys hiking and sings in the local community chorus.

She has two books coming out soon: Darkness and Light, The Hunter and Darkness and Light, Vampires.

1. Tell me about yourself. What inspired you to write?

I’ve always loved words and the stories my mother read to my sister and I every night I was a lonely, quiet child and books were my best friends, the place I would go to get away

2. Describe your desk / writing space.

My son moved out, so I’ve taken over the study section his bedroom. It has a tabletop desk and good-sized entertainment section, now filled with books. I have a quiet nook for reading.

3. Do you have a writing routine, or do you write when inspired?

I sit at my desk from Monday through Friday as close to 1pm as possible, Saturdays and Sundays whenever I can. If inspired, I write on anything available

4. How do you come up with the title to your books?

My titles come from the meanings I’m trying to convey and the character of my characters, as their life progresses.

5. What was the hardest scene for you to write? Which scene was your favorite to write?

The hardest scene for me to write is the last paragraph of my soon to be published book, Darkness and Light, Vampires. The easiest paragraph was in my first novel. When Marcus, the main character, is trying to convey how much he hates what he has become.

6. What inspired your book/series?

Marcus, the main character in the Darkness and Light series needed to have his long and often painful journey explained in a manner expressing many of his and my deepest feelings.

7. What are you working on next?

Once the final Darkness and Light book is published I will begin writing the third book in the Sister World Trilogy; Sister World, Back to Terah

8. What authors or books have influenced your writing?

Charles Dickens, Stephen King and M.M.Kay

9. If you could live anywhere, in this world or fantasy, where would you live?

Here. I love to travel, but no matter where I go, it’s beauty, history and delights, I’m always happy to come home.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Fried Scallops

11. Coffee or tea? Wine or beer?

Coffee, wine

12. Describe yourself in three words.

Passionate, meticulous, and imaginative.