How long have you been writing?
Since the ocean was a drop and the land a pebble. So about twelve years, give or take. I started off in fantasy but eventually wormed my way over to romance, both contemporary and paranormal when I’m in the mood.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
It depends upon the character. Every character always has some little secret I don’t discover until I’ve written then for awhile. Usually I have a grasp of who they are weeks before I start writing. I like to play out little scenes in my head when I’m walking my dog. But then, I don’t really capture their voice and mannerisms until I actually write them.
So the answer is…yes?
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
Oh my god, do I need music. For anything creative. I also paint and make various crafts when the mood strikes. But if I start without music, my little brain gnome starts chewing away with threats. “You’re doing it wrong. This is terrible. Why are you even bothering?” Music helps shut it up, at least until it’s time to edit.
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
I try very, very hard to only have one story going at a time because I fear if I get distracted I won’t come back and finish the book. There are a few abandoned projects bemoaning their fate on my hard drive. One day, little ones, I will give you legs and set you free.
Pen or type writer or computer?
Oh god, computer. A hundred and fifty percent, computer. I’m left handed and was never taught that twist your arm around so you look like a Cirque acrobat while taking notes trick. Which meant that everything I wrote longhand wound up smeared on the side of my hand. Never again!
Tell us about a favorite character from a book.
Granny Weatherwax from the Discworld series is who I aspire to be when I’m old and living in the woods. Despite being a misanthrope who has no use for ninety-nine percent of the population, Granny still goes out of her way to help people, even if she winds up saving them from their own foolishness. She’s a woman that if someone told her to smile, she’d look them dead in the eye, sneer, and never blink until that guy ran away in terror.
A day in the life of the author?
Wake to the sound of my dog clawing at her collar because that’s her butler bell. I spend most of the morning checking up on marketing stuff: swaps, promos, giveaways. Things like that. After lunch and the dog getting her first walk, I sit at the kitchen table and write whatever scene I planned out while taking my dog around the neighborhood. Then it’s time to make dinner. Later at night, I take a shower, do more planning while standing under water, and write to finish out the day.
Rinse and repeat for all eternity.
Describe your writing style.
Goofy until I suddenly stab you right in the feels. I’m not afraid to tell jokes, and will do so often. I’m far more of a character and dialogue person than a setting and descriptive author. You’ll probably know more about a character’s thoughts on their fourth-grade school play than what they’re wearing. It’s just how I roll.
What makes a good story?
You need to have an element of mystery. It doesn’t have to be a literal whodunnit but a question for the reader to follow. With romance it’s not so much who gets together but how and is the why satisfying. If there isn’t that thread of wonder keeping the reader turning the pages, all you have is a collection of diary entries.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Descriptions! I am loathe to include them, especially clothing. Seriously, I suspect one could read most of my books assuming most of the characters are naked and it’d hold up.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
My muse is a fickle beast. To keep her entertained and from consuming the world, I need to write something I find interesting. It could be a subversion of tropes, a main character not usually seen, or just an excuse to invent new alien creatures who have a fascination with pie. There isn’t so much a need to be original and different, more an if I don’t do something fun I won’t finish the book.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
I used to try to get the first rough draft down in a month, but lately it’s been a month and half for a full novel. About a month for a novella. My time’s being consumed by the other side of things: editing, marketing, trying to keep sane in this every confusing world. Usual author stuff.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Yes, and no. I’m such a contrary pain in the ass, aren’t I? There are times when I don’t want to write. Flat out, my brain just says no. Not happening. But I find that’s not usually writer’s block and it’s my brain’s way of telling me I need a break. Bad. Sometimes hammering out three thousands words a day, every day until the book’s done isn’t what the book needs. Sometimes taking a few days off to regroup, rethink, and replan is what gives the best book of all.
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