Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
I grew up writing fiction, mostly fanfiction but I did dabble in some original stories. I loved to read and was devouring any books I could find. When I got to college, I focused on my field of study but found myself still wanting to write stories even with a full course load. I just couldn’t seem to get away from needing to write. Once I graduated college and started working full time, I found myself once again pulled back into writing. On a whim, I wrote an original short story and got it published. After that I started doing NaNoWriMo each year, pushing myself to write longer works. I published several fantasy and horror short stories over the years, before finally having my first novel accepted by a small press. My debut novel, Stolen, was published in January 2019.
What is something unique/quirky about you?
I love music and grew up playing piano, performing in several piano recitals since my mom taught piano. In junior high I played piano in a jazz band. I also played clarinet throughout junior high and high school. Although I don’t play an instrument as much as I used to, I still love music and often it works its way into my stories. In the Stolen series, music plays a role in some forms of magic.
Where were you born/grew up at?
I was born in Tennessee but have spent most of my life in Georgia where I still live.
If you knew you'd die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?
Writing and spending time with family and friends.
What kind of world ruler would you be?
I would try to listen as much as possible and have a group of trusted people as a council to help me make the best decisions possible. I would want to have active, passionate discourse on topics so I could see all sides of an issue before making a ruling.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
I’ll listen to music, read a book, take a bath, play with my three kitties, and maybe have a glass of wine. Sometimes I’ll play a video game or watch some fun Youtube videos or go for a jog.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Persistent, determined, optimistic, imaginative, and funny.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I published my first short story back in 2010, that was the first time I considered myself a writer. I was wrong though because you’re a writer as soon as you put words down on paper. I was a writer as soon as I started writing as a kid, or when I first published my first fanfiction story. I just didn’t see it at the time.
Do you have a favorite movie?
I love the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but I’m also a big fan of cheesy werewolf movies. Oddly enough I can also quote too many scenes from Home Alone.
Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
I could imagine The Seeking being made into a movie. I think the atmosphere would make it perfect for horror fans, but the monsters could be really disturbing if put in the right hands. I think it has a lot of potential without breaking a budget.
What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I went to Austin, Texas to visit family a few years back. We went on a ghost tour cause we always try to go on them when we travel. One of the homes we just happened to visit belonged to O. Henry. He’s a short story author known for his way of wrapping up his stories with humor or a morale. I have a whole collection of his stories and loved seeing how he crafted them as a kid. I hadn’t even known he had a house there! What are the odds of that? I hadn’t thought about his stories for years, but then that happened. At first I thought it couldn’t possibly be the O. Henry, but it was! I felt like a very bad writer haha.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
I love deer. I used to watch them cross our backyard when I was little, usually does leading fawns behind them as they moved through the woods. I found them graceful and beautiful. Their faces especially are very lovely. I also grew up knowing several people who hunted deer, and as a kid it was hard for me to wrap my head around why anyone would want to kill them. Deer are beautiful, graceful creatures of the woods, and I will always have a soft spot for them.
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