Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
My favorite author growing up was Anne Rice. I can’t write her type of stories, but I aspired to write as well as she did.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Growing up, all I wanted to do is write in some capacity, either as an author or a journalist. When I found I enjoyed writing fiction more than articles, I decided being an author was more my style.
Does writing energize or exhaust you? Or both?
Actually, writing neither energizes nor exhausts me. It relaxes me. Some days, though, I am too exhausted to write due to my Crohn’s and Fibro. Some days I have to make myself write.
How do you use social media as an author?
I am on social media every day. I try to post as much as I can, promoting my books. I’ve joined book promotion groups, and I connect with readers, other authors, editors, agents, and publishers. I think it’s important to keep those connections.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
So far, I’ve written three books (Deadly Healer, my crime/mystery novel, and The Letter, parts one and two). Part two is titled Yours, Truly. I think my favorite is The Letter series. I’m very attached to my characters as the book is based on an actual event that prompted the writing of the book. My characters are based on real people that I knew at the time I started writing it.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
One day with a popular author: Stephen King, definitely. He’s a master storyteller. I would pick his brain for any info on how to improve my writing.
If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
So far, The Letter Series is in two parts, but I’m currently working on the third and final part. In all honesty, The Letter started out as one book, but it was too much story for one book, so I cut it into two parts. Once I had finished part two, I realized there was more to the story, so part three (Love, Always). The ending will surprise my readers.
What books did you grow up reading?
As a teenager, I started reading silhouette teen romance novels. As I got a little older, I began reading Harlequin romance novels, then moved on to Anne Rice, whom I fell in love with immediately. Stephen King was another favorite growing up, but my MOST favorite book as a kid, which most people have probably never heard of, is Pasquala of Santa Ynez Mission. I still have the same book that was given to me by my fourth grade teacher. It even still has the Princess Lea sticker I put on the cover.
What characters in your book are most similar to you or to people you know?
This is an easy answer. The Letter series is based on a letter I wrote to a famous movie star at the time (2009). I had a major crush on this celebrity at the time, and I wondered: What if he responded? That’s where the story came from.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve known I’ve wanted to be a writer since about the age of six. When I learned how to read and write in first grade, it resonated with every fiber of my being. I started out wanting to be a journalist, writing for a newspaper or magazine, but as I got older and started reading teen romance novels, fiction became a big part of my writing.