Danielle E. Gauwain

Danielle Gauwain - Entertaining, highly imaginative, and utterly arousing." These are just some of the words used to describe Danielle's writing. Inspired my music, magic and matters of the heart, Danielle is a multi-published author of erotic and paranormal romance. Sometimes, her writing is dark. Other times, whimsical. But, she will always deliver a book that you can't put down. Danielle was born and raised in Albany, New York. She now resides in the foothills of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. via https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13489388-bound 

(SISS)  Hi Danielle, where are you from and where are you currently spending your time? (Danielle) I am a New Yorker transplanted in western North Carolina. (SISS)  What was one of the hardest things that you had to go through? What advice would you give someone going through the same struggle? (Danielle) Unlearning behaviors that made me feel less than worthy and valuable as a woman.  All of us have experienced some kind of trauma in our lives, big or small.  Instead of treating our wounds so that they may heal, we ignore them. They set up shop in our minds, and as a result, we subconsciously start behaving in the most unbecoming ways.  I equate it to taking cold medicine for a sinus infection.  We need an antibiotic to take away the infection, but we just treat the symptoms with over the counter pills.  We end up as wounded children walking around in adult bodies.  I had to dig very deep to heal those wounds and I will never be finished working on myself.  I am happy to say that I no longer dread dealing with my "stuff".  I actually have come to a place where I love myself enough to take care of the wounded little girl within. If I had to give advice to anyone, especially a woman who is struggling with issues of self-worth, I would tell her that life is a process and you are human.  You will have ups and downs.  You will step forward and take steps back.  Forgive yourself.  Learn better behaviors to replace the old ones that kept you from your fullest potential.  Heal and move forward.  And finally, I will tell you what a very wise woman once said to me, "You are worthy because you exist." Keep repeating that until it sinks in. (SISS)  What are you most grateful for? (Danielle) My daughter. She taught me just how strong I am. She is an amazing person. She is my heart walking around on the outside of my body.  No one has added more to my life than my daughter.  She is a precious human being. (SISS)  Erotic Author? We see your catalog of books at Amazon .  Which book was your most difficult to write and why? (Danielle) They all had their own difficulties. One book was not harder than the other. As a whole, writing is a difficult process. There is a technical aspect to writing. For me, it's the technical part that is the hardest.  Creativity has never been a problem.  Ideas are plentiful and so is the creativity.  I don't think that I will live long enough to tell all the stories that I have roaming around in my soul.  Writing is definitely not for the weak in the knees or the thin-skinned. You have to be able to see a project through and you can never allow rejection to tear you down. (SISS)  What was that moment like when you first decided to write your first erotic novel? What was your inspiration or motivation for writing your first erotic novel? (Danielle) I have been a writer all my life. It’s in my blood. It’s an innate drive that if not satiated, insanity would soon follow. I am inspired mostly by music I hear. I’ll be driving along in my car, listening to a song and I start to think of a storyline that fits the lyrics of the song. That’s why I carry a notebook with me everywhere I go, so I can jot down an idea. My series The Bound Tetralogy was born of a series of dreams recorded in some journals that had been boxed up and destined for the attic. Upon moving into a new home, my husband brought the box to me and asked me, “Do you want to look through this box before I bring it to the attic?” When I opened the box, I was sitting on the floor in the bathroom in a sea of other boxes waiting to be unpacked. I took one journal out at a time and read each line, then moved onto the next.  All of the journals were like puzzle pieces that made up one big picture. I didn’t realize how much time had passed until my husband walked into the bathroom and said, “It’s almost dinner time. What do you want me to do with that box?” Not even a answering his question, I looked at him and said, “I’m going to write a book.” The rest is history. (SISS)  What’s your favorite quote? (Danielle) “When you get to the end of all the light you know, and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught to fly.” -Edward Teller (SISS) We at Smart is so sexy we love to see women who are thriving in their career or business.  What are you most passionate about? (Danielle) Of course, I am passionate about writing.  I love to inspire others and give people an escape while reading my novels.  I am a multi-published author of paranormal romance and erotic literature.  Currently, I have five published e-novels, and I am always working on the next.  In fact, I have an idea storming in my brain that would fall into a different genre! I may have to try on a different hat! I also spend my time as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.  I work with Developmentally and Intellectually Delayed Adults, many of which have the diagnosis of Autism. They are beautiful people. I am in the continuous process of not only assisting these individuals to be as independent as possible in their every day lives, but also educating others on understanding the diagnosis of Autism.  Awareness is key. (SISS)  Who was the most influential person in your life? (Danielle) I am surrounded by extremely strong women in my family.  These women are survivors.  And they gave me a very important gift: they have passed down their knowledge to me.  Things that you don't learn in school.  Things that you can’t buy at the store.  Things that you can only learn from other women who have experience.  I have learned perseverance, love, and above all, to never give up.  I have carried those lessons with me throughout my life. (SISS)  Where were you five years ago? What advice would you tell your five years younger self? (Danielle) Well, I had just become a newly published author. It was a very exciting time for me, as a dream had been realized.  If I had to give advice to my younger self, I would tell her to not ignore red flags and to listen to her gut.  Your gut is and will never be wrong! (SISS)  Can you take us through a typical day? From Waking up to going to bed, Can you give us a play by play of a typical day for you? (Danielle) You are about to find out how boring I really am! I wake up extremely early to get ready for work.  I listen to my Pandora on my phone when I'm doing my hair and make up.  I juggle fifteen million things in the morning!  There are dogs to be let out and fed.  A child to get ready for school! I work for eight to nine hours a day and once I get home, I am running again.  There is dinner to be made, a child to drop off at ballet, the dogs need to be fed again!  I try to hit the gym while my daughter is in ballet.  And the evenings are reserved for getting ready for the next day. Weekends are precious for me.  I can catch up on writing, an idea that has been burning in my mind.  Or just be free to do something other than work! (SISS)  What are you most proud of? (Danielle) I am proud of my strength as a woman. (SISS)  What is your favorite Food? What is your favorite book?  When do you feel the sexiest? (Danielle) My favorite food is my mother's homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs. My favorite book is Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. I feel the sexiest when my mind is clear, I’m having a fabulous hair day, and my outfit and face are on point! On those days, I am unstoppable. I walk with my chin up and with purpose!  And, that black dress that accentuates my curves in all the right areas doesn’t hurt either! (SISS)  A social media question, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat? Which one do you use the most to best market yourself or brand? (Danielle) I am only on Instagram.  I used to be on Facebook, but Facebook proved to be a dying platform for me and did not suit my needs anymore. I like Instagram because I feel like I have a greater connection with my followers. (SISS)  Is there someone on social media that inspires you and is a great follow? (Danielle) There are too many to list!  I have great followers, other writers, photographers, artists, and just people that are good souls. (SISS)  What does Smart is so Sexy mean to you? (Danielle) Carrying yourself with dignity and pride. Letting people have a glimpse of your intellect to show that your mind is just as gorgeous as your image. Emotional intelligence is sexy as well. Making smart decisions based on your vision for your life. There is nothing sexier that a woman walks into a room knowing what she wants, and knowing how to get it. Her energy proceeds her and she shares those powerful, positive vibes with others around her.  That is Smart is Sooooo Sexy!  (SISS)  Thank you so much Danielle for sharing with us, please follow her on instagram @Daniellegauwainauthor