Author Interview: D. Raven

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to Friday Night Writes! As always, our goal is to shine a spotlight on members of the book community and introduce readers to awesome authors, narrators, event hosts, influencers, and more.

This week, we'd like to introduce our featured guest, author and Friday Night Writes charity anthology contributor, D. Raven!

D. Raven

Hey, D.! Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you?

I'm a single mom of a special needs child living in the Midwest. Caring for my child

made it impossible to work outside the home, so I turned to writing, both in pursuit of a lifelong passion, and creative refuge. I'm an avid reader and lover of music, and I find joy in quiet moments with friends and the worlds I build on the page. I'm fiercely introverted but endlessly imaginative, so I pour my heart into stories that remind us strength often grows in the softer places.

What are a few of your favorite things? Your least favorite?

Some of my favorite things are music, reading, writing, spending time with family and friends, traveling, karaoke, and meeting readers.

Some of my least favorite things are clowns, any animal that stings, and people who are mean.

Did you always want to be an author?

I wanted to be different things at times: a vet, teacher, or psychologist. I have always been interested in writing but never dreamed I’d actually have books in circulation.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I really didn’t. I wrote my first book on a dare, basically. After my best friend read it, she said it needed to be heard and shared.

How long have you been writing?

Since early 2024.

Which genres do you write in?

Contemporary Romance.

Are you a plotter or a panster?

I would say I’m a plotter.

Are you independently published or traditionally published? Why did you choose this route?

Independently. I like that I’m able to work at my own pace and keep my stories and my characters true to me. No one's reading my books and saying, “Readers aren’t going to like this.” I get to okay and approve my cover designs, character art, and choose which appearances I make.

What do you enjoy most and least about being an author?

I enjoy just writing a book. A blank page or paper is literally an entire world waiting to be created. The story ends how you want it to. Every time.

I hate the marketing. I’m not great at it. It actually stresses me out.

Do you have any writing routines (things you do that help you write)?

Lately, its literally just me sitting down and making myself write, at a minimum, 1,000 words a day. I published four books in less than a year and found out real quick that was a lot. I currently have up to six works in progress and was feeling super overwhelmed. I even have someone holding me accountable and having me share my documents with them to make sure I’ve written at least 1,000 words per day.

How do you deal with writer’s block?

I wish I had a formula. I literally just make myself sit down and start typing. Anything, even if it's just a scene and not related to any story right now.

How many books do you currently have published? Tell us about them.

Thirteen Years is my first book and is my story, although dramatized. It's a story about a domestic abuse survivor on the run with her daughter. She finds her happily ever after and learns to love again with him, but it's a rough road getting there.

First Christmas follows the same couple as they learn to navigate living together and working as a unit, as well as dealing with unresolved trauma.

Fourteen Years follows the first couple’s best friend's second chance romance and overcoming addiction.

Unsuspecting Valentine is a fun little MaskTok meets BookTok novella I did with a group of authors for Valentines Day.

Where do you get the inspiration for your books? Do you insert pieces of yourself and people you know into your books?

I get most of my inspiration from real life. My Finding Freedom series deals with very real life, everyday trauma, although exaggerated sometimes. My characters tend to be different people in my life or even a mix of personalities sometimes.

Do you have a favorite and least favorite of your characters? Why?

My favorite character is Monica because she is my best friend in real life. I love her and her story is heartbreaking but amazing. My least favorite characters are, of course, all the bad guys I write, but especially Clark. If you know, you know.

What is your most popular book?

Thirteen Years.

Which of your books do you wish received more love than it does?

Fourteen Years.

How many WIPs do you have going right now? Can you tell us anything about them?

I have several. At least six. Three are in the Finding Freedom series, one's an anthology piece, another is a cowboy romance, and another a rock-and-roll romance.

Do you prefer stand-alone books or book series?

I like both. I tend to read stand-alones between binging series, kind of like a palette cleanser.

Besides writing, do you have any hobbies? Do you include these things in your stories?

Becks from Thirteen Years is a lot like me. I can be pretty introverted until you get to know me. I love karaoke, games, reading, and writing, obviously. Spending time with friends is one of my favorite things to do.

Are there any other authors who have inspired you?

There are big name authors that I love, but those indie authors who are near and dear to me are Izzy Elliott and Ruki Williams. They are always so supportive, and Izzy has been my best friend in real life for over a decade. I’m not sure where I’d be without her screaming for me to succeed. Ruki is constantly dropping my name everywhere. Bless her heart, she is so busy doing her own stuff, I’m not sure how she remembers to shout out everyone she does.

How do you handle the author/life balance?

I don’t. I literally wing it. I make myself market by posting on social media at least once a day, but my bestie can attest to me being helpless at literally everything else. I homeschool my daughter, so it is pretty easy to make myself sit down and write at least some every day.

What do you do for your mental health and to recharge your creativity?

Read or go spend time with friends.

Do you have any advice for unpublished writers or people who hope to become authors?

Just keep writing. There is an audience for nearly everything out there anymore. You’re just as capable, and your story is just as worth listening to as anyone else’s. You can do this.

Do you have anything you’re truly passionate about outside of writing?

I’m pretty passionate about raising awareness for mental health, special needs, and domestic violence. That’s why my first book centered around a domestic abuse survivor. As it was my story, although dramatized, it was important for me that other women who may have been in or are in similar situations to feel seen.

Thanks for sharing! Let's do a few questions just for fun! Tell us, what is your favorite dinosaur?

My favorite dinosaurs are the longneck ones. Any of them. I suck at the scientific names for them, but Little Foot from The Land Before Time started my love for that kind of dinosaur when I was young.

Are you a clean or a messy person?

Clean. I adore organization and have OCD.

Do you collect anything besides books?

LoungeFly backpacks.

Do you believe in aliens or ghosts?

Aliens, I’m not sure. Ghosts? Yes.

Awesome! Where can we find you online?

You can find me on Facebook, Instagram (@DRaven_WritesRomance), TikTok (@DRaven_WritesRomance), and through my website!

Do you have any planned events?

I have one at Bedpost Books in Republic, MO on November 8th. I will also be at Flirty In Kansas City, MO on February 7th, 2026.

Awesome. Well, thank you so much for joining us, D.! It's been a pleasure chatting with you!

To all of our readers, thanks for spending some time with our guest author this week! We hope you've enjoyed this interview! In the meantime, be sure to follow D. Raven on her social media platforms so you can keep up to date with her journey. Building a better, stronger community is what Friday Night Writes is all about!

Be sure to join us next week when we talk to author Kelly O'Hearn!

See you soon!

The Friday Night Writes Crew

Evie Black & Samantha Moran

Friday Night Writes would like to thank our amazing sponsors: Bobbie Isabel, Rebecca Jose, Eden Knox, Kris Mitchell, LeAnn Kelley and Sammantha Selwood. Through their contributions, we are able to host interviews on a dedicated site and reach new audiences through our newsletter. Thank you!