What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?
Julia Quinn, Anne Rice, Stephan King, George Orwell, Anne McCaffrey,
What book do you think everyone should read?
1984 by George Orwell
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
I usually start with the main three characters, heroine, hero, and villain. The side characters appear as I plot out the story. By the time I’ve began writing, the only new characters to show up are the ones who end up being killed (like the extras in a horror movie).
Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, I see writing as a career. I’m working toward leaving my day job to focus on writing full-time (but I haven’t gotten there yet).
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
I love to read. I always have a least one paperback book with me when I travel/commute, because you never know when you’ll get some time to read. I enjoy multiple genres (which explain why I write in so many). I can’t narrow this down to just one (it seems wildly unfair to the other genres), but my favorite stories have an Alpha male, a feisty heroine, and lots of sparks.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
I prefer to write with music. The music helps to block out distractions, allowing me to focus on the scene playing out in my head.
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
I tried an experiment this year to write more than one book at a time, since I was writing with co-writers. I found that my brain does not like writing more than one story at a time. When I returned my focus to just one story, the words flowed much better.
Pen or typewriter or computer?
I know how to use all three (and have), but if I had the time, I’d choose a pen. I love the connection between brain and hand.
What made you want to become an author, and do you feel it was the right decision?
Writing has always been a part of my life, but I didn’t consider becoming an author until about six years ago when I completed my first book. Most of my stories were short stories, completing a full novel was such an accomplishment, that I wanted to do it again. I have never regretted becoming an author.
Advice you would give new authors?
Keep writing. Which isn’t meant to sound trite. It’s amazing to finish a book, but you can’t stop with that book, you must keep going. Also, it’s important to learn about your craft. I have books on writing, editing, and advertising. I also take courses from other writing professionals. Lastly, please, use an editor.
Describe your writing style.
I prefer 3rd person point of view, and except for one story (because you must always try new things), all my books are 3rd person. I tend to write circularly. I’ll write a few chapters and then circle back, read and edit, then move forward and write a few more chapters. I continue this processed until the end of the story. Then I read the entire story again before sending it off to my editor.
What are you currently reading?
I read more than one book at a time. I’m currently reading Vicious King by Bella Emy (my co-writer for paranormal dark romance) and SS Richards, Encyclopedia Brown with my son, and Crystal Singer by Anne McCaffrey (which I’ve read on multiple occasions, but it keeps finding its way into my hands).
Thank you so much for featuring me today.
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