Superficial by Diane Billas Virtual Book Tour

 Guest Post

Inspiration in the Most Unlikely Places

By: Diane Billas

Music is a way into my soul. I’ve been exposed to music even before I was born because I come from a musical family. My parents were both music majors and taught me the French horn and piano, and I also went on to study at a conservatory for college, but for music management rather than music education like my parents. Many of my extended family members also play an instrument. They would all visit during Easter and perform for our church service where my dad was the choir director. We were like the Von Trapp family except with brass instruments. 

Listening to and playing music is one way that I get inspired to write. If I’m ever feeling writer’s block, I’ll sit down at the piano and start to play to help work through whatever I’m stuck on. And it goes the other way around too. Sometimes I’m just playing or listening to some music when an idea hits and I have to stop what I’m doing and start writing. 

I also get inspired when I read really engaging books. If I’m reading something that I’m falling in love with, I sometimes develop a story, even if it has nothing to do with what I’m reading.  Just the act of reading something so thought provoking will fire up my engines and get me excited for something new. That happened recently actually. I was reading a sapphic fall romance and was totally in love with it. I’ve always wanted to write a sapphic romance set in winter and because this book I was reading was so good, I decided to give my own holiday story a go.

Sometimes ideas come when I least expect them. I was participating in a Twitter pitch contest when I was querying my first book Does Love Alway Win? and I saw some really cool pitches centered around an event, like a baking competition. That got me thinking, if I were to base a story around an event, what would I pick? I remembered how much fun I had at a Comic-Con convention in Philadelphia and decided to form a story around that. Then, as I was writing, one of the main characters not only was an actor attending the convention, but secretly a superhero in real life, and my newest book, Superficial, was born.

I never know when my next story idea will hit me; I just make sure that I have something to write with at all times so I can start on it as soon as I can!

Embark on a thrilling adventure with Lea and Jake as they navigate the unexpected twists and turns at the biggest superhero fan convention of the year. When Lea finds herself trapped in an elevator during the event with superstar Jake, also known as The Amazing Boy, they realize something sinister is afoot. With everyone at the convention frozen, including Lea's friends, Lea and Jake must team up to unravel the mystery behind the villainous acts plaguing Philadelphia. As they race against time, Lea grapples with whom to trust, while Jake uncovers startling truths about his own identity. A pulse-pounding journey filled with friendship, betrayal, and the ultimate quest for justice, will Lea and Jake save the day, or will supervillains prevail? Dive into this gripping tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Excerpt

LEA

A lone figure lingers in the back corner of the elevator wearing a navy-blue Yankees baseball hat, their face cast downwards. I push for level two when there is a large bang. The lights flicker and go out. Deathly silence follows but is broken by a curse word behind me. I whip around, trying to make out the figure’s face.

“Watch that cape, you almost gave me cape burn,” the voice grumbles.

“Sorry. I never knew how annoying wearing a cosplay costume would be,” I reply, biting my lip.

When the silence continues, I nervously keep up my word vomit. “This is my first time coming to one of these things. I should’ve taken a page out of your book and worn the incognito star look. I would’ve been more comfortable on the plane flight earlier this morning and gotten less strange looks.”

Backup lights flicker on. I can barely see the figure lift his head and look at me directly in the eyes. My heart drops.

“About the incognito star look,” he says, his dark eyes full of hesitation.

No way.

No freaking way.

He isn’t playing an incognito star.

He is the star of today’s show. The last-minute addition that made the entire WizCon event sell out as soon as his name was announced.

A gasp escapes my mouth. I can’t physically stop it if I tried. I’m from the middle of nowhere Ohio. You don’t see a movie star on an elevator or anywhere in your vicinity. Keep calm, Lea, don’t scare him off. He’s incognito for a reason.

“Oh.”

That’s what I come up with to say. I mean, what else am I going to utter aloud?

Diane Billas currently lives in Philadelphia with her husband and son. When she’s not writing she can be found reading multiple books at once, performing the French horn or piano, or dreaming of the next country she’s going to visit.

Does Love Always Win? is her debut novel, which released June 2023 from Creative James Media. This book was drawn from Diane’s personal experiences as a queer individual who has struggled throughout life being comfortable identifying and expressing herself. Diane wrote the book she wished was available to her when she was in high school. 

Website:  https://dianebillas.com

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Photographer credit

Sam Rodriguez 

S.R.WeddingStory

Giveaway

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