Diana G. Gallagher lives in Florida with her husband, Marty Burke, four dogs, six cats and a cranky parrot. Although Diana had always wanted to be a writer, she spent several years teaching kids to ride horses and then spent a few more as a professional folk musician. When she discovered science fiction and STAR TREK via STAR WARS, she not only discovered what she wanted to write, but also an outlet for expression in music and art. While diligently pounding out a few million unsold words, she gained some notoriety among SF fans and space development advocates with her songs about humanity's future in space.

During the beginning stages of writing THE ALIEN DARK (TSR 1990), her first published novel, Diana also tried her hand at whimsical fantasy art. What began as a means of paying convention expenses and having fun soon developed into a full-time artistic endeavor. Best known for her hand-colored prints depicting the dog-like activities of Woof: The House Dragon, she won a Hugo for Best Fan Artist 1988. 
However, when THE ALIEN DARK finally sold, Diana decided she had to concentrate on writing. Called in to pitch to STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION on the basis of a spec script, she turned her attention to teleplays and original screenplays for a while. Although none of these efforts resulted in sales, she became hooked on Trek and the next logical move was--books! Shortly after she reached that conclusion, Pocket Books decided to publish YA STAR TREK. Not only did she sell YA DS9 #5 "Arcade," she had finally found her niche: novels for kids and young adults based on television shows.

Since then, Diana has written more than forty Intermediate Reader, Young Adult, and Adult novels in several series, including BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, CHARMED, SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH, THE SECRET WORLD OF ALEX MACK, ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK, and of course, STAR TREK. In addition to "Arcade" and "The Chance Factor," she's the author of DS9 #11 "Honor Bound," the Day Of Honor YA tie-in novel.

Interviewed by Andrea V. Haag -TheCharmedOnes.com
February 2002

I recently had the pleasure in interviewing 'Charmed' author, Diana Gallagher. Diana's book "Spirit Of The Wolf" should be out later this spring, but you can check out her other Charmed book, "Beware What You Wish".

Diana, I'm glad that you can take the time out of your schedule for this opportunity to interview you. 

Diana, you wrote several books in the young readers genre, such as 'Sabrina Teenage Witch' series, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' series and 'Star Trek'. What got you interested in writing books for the teenage readers? How did you get involved in writing books for the 'Charmed' series?

Shortly after my first (and only) original novel, The Alien Dark, was published, I was called in to the STAR TREK: The Next Generation offices to pitch my script ideas. I was also toying with the idea of writing STAR TREK books, which coincided with the decision at Pocket Books to publish STAR TREK for middle readers. One of my story ideas became a DEEP SPACE NINE novel for kids called "Arcade." That project was the first in my "accidental" career of writing media novels for kids and young adults. "Arcade" went so well, my editor, Lisa Clancy, put me to work on the then new Nickleodeon series, THE SECRET WORLD OF ALEX MACK, which eventually led to writing for SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, and now CHARMED. 

Since I had a science fiction background, it wasn't difficult to adapt to writing books based on TV shows with fantasy angles. I loved the vibrant characters and multi-faceted premise of CHARMED, and basically begged the editor to give me a shot.

A fan of the Charmed book series wrote, that they were very impressed with the way you handled the characters in "Beware What You Wish", since the other authors in the series usually make mistakes regarding the powers of the girls or their historical background. Since even the writers on the TV series are sometimes inconsistent in portraying these characteristics correctly.

What difficulties or limits are created by the publishers, creators, or Spelling Television, etc., in the storylines and the character backgrounds, which might limit what you can write? I know in the Star Trek world there is usually a writer's bible that authors refer to, was there something similar for 'Charmed'? Did you have to work closely with Constance Burge, the creator of Charmed?

I didn't start writing for CHARMED until halfway through the second season. Consequently, most of the "rules" of the CHARMED universe had already been established. I tape every show of every series that interests me and use the episodes for reference. The guidelines for writing books based on all TV shows are basically identical: the author must stay true to the characters and capture the "flavor" of the show. For instance, novels based on CHARMED must utilize the Book Of Shadows and the Power Of Three.

The editors of books based on media usually function as the go-between between the author and the production company, or in the case of CHARMED, Constance Burge. Since the premises and characters of a show are the creative property of the producers, they have final approval on everything. Recognizing this and being willing to adjust accordingly are imperative for a media author.

I know I have to ask this Diana, but are you a fan of the TV series? If so, what is your favorite storyline and character that interests you more than others? So, when writing do you try to keep your stories somewhat parallel to what is happening on the TV show?

I love the show and never miss an episode! I'm not sure I have a favorite storyline, since the show has done such a wonderful job of keeping the audience guessing and everything moving. I'm glad Piper and Leo were able to get married. I think that adds interest and contrast to Paige and Phoebe's single lives. When writing, I'm very careful not to favor any one character over the others. 

I should mention that there's a lead time of almost a year between the initial idea for a book and when the finished product is available for sale. Consequently, the books are ALWAYS behind the show. There's simply no way to avoid that, although we adjust as much as possible before going to press. As an example, Cole was not included in "Beware What You Wish" because at the time of writing it was not known if he would be a continuing character. 

In "Beware What You Wish", Phoebe wished she could foresee more calamities in order to prevent them and her powers where heightened because of it. Was there a reason you centered the focus on Phoebe's power rather than the other Halliwell girls?

The focus on Phoebe's power was the result of a "what if," which is how I come up with a lot of my ideas. "What if Phoebe becomes sensitive to every little calamity that affects everyone she touches?" Sounded like a great idea for a book! Once the editor and I have settled on the basic premise, the next step is to develop how it affects the other sisters in the context of the "demon" plot.

In an earlier communiqué with you, you had said that you are in the process of another book outline for Charmed. Care to give us any hints on what it will be about?

My third CHARMED novel is tentatively called "Rendezvous With Destiny," and it will probably be out in November of this year. Briefly, Piper, Paige, and Phoebe are at a loss when their powers begin to malfunction, especially since nothing strange has happened to account for the problem. They decide to not use their magical abilities until they find out what's going on, but fate and their unknown foes have other ideas. 

If writing for the Charmed series is your first traverse into this world, how did you come up with a plot idea for "Beware What You Wish"? Care to give us a summary of your new book "Spirit Of The Wolf", which should be out this February?

As I said above, the idea for "Beware What You Wish" was the result of a "what if." When "what iffing" doesn't inspire me, I sometimes cruise the net looking for strange myths or paranormal anecdotes. These usually just act as a launch point. The final results seldom resemble the original reference.

"Spirit Of The Wolf" was inspired by a small Native American tribe that's trying to reclaim their ancestral lands after being relocated to Oklahoma from California in the 1880s. The book deals with a similar situation within the parameters of the CHARMED universe. While Piper and Leo try to enjoy a rare weekend alone, Phoebe and Paige meet with one disaster after another on a pre-opening press junket to a wilderness resort in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Do you have a special time or a favorite place in your home that you like to do your writing? On your off time from writing, what books or author do enjoy reading?

When I'm in the process of actually writing a book, I begin the day by reading the New York Times on-line. Then I write until I'm done, which varies from an hour to several hours depending on where I am in the project. The first half of a book, the set-up stage, always goes slower than the second half when everything begins coming together. 

In addition to reading books in TV series I enjoy, BUFFY, ANGEL, and ROSWELL to name a few, I like legal and military thrillers. I also like near future science fiction.

In the Charmed online communities there are many fans that have posted their own Charmed fan fictions, on websites and Message Boards. What advice can you give to aspiring authors, and how can they break into writing for these specialized TV genre's?

My advice would be the same to anyone who's trying to write anything: write, read, re-write, re-write again, and never give up. Persistence counts. 

Usually, the genre series editors look for authors who have already published something original. My first novel opened the door to STAR TREK, which opened the door for everything I've done since. Attending writers conferences or genre conventions can be very helpful. Writers and editors are often featured on panels and may be available for Q&A. 

Lastly, will there be more Charmed books in the future written by you?

I certainly hope so!

Thank you Diana, for taking time for this interview. I know the Charmed fans are diligently waiting for the next book to be released out in the bookstores...I know I am.

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