Do you participate in writing challenges on social media? Do you recommend any?
When I first started writing I participated in NANOWRIMO. I do recommend it because if you write for 30 days in a row, it becomes a habit. It also proves that you are capable of writing a book. A lot of people want to write a book, but the difference is authors keep plugging away until they finish.
Have you listened to any audiobooks? Which did you enjoy the most?
The best audiobook I’ve ever listened to has to be “To Kill a Mockingbird” read by Sissy Spacek. Her southern accent was perfect for the book and kept me engaged.
How do you come up with character names for your stories?
Generally, I look up names that were popular the year my character was supposedly born. I also look at the meaning of the name to see if it fits the disposition of my character.
How long did it take you to write this book?
It took me about a year to write UNBROKEN BONDS. Then it took 15 years to get it published.
What author in your genre do you most admire, and why?
My genre is historical fiction, and Kristin Hannah is my favorite at this point. When I read her novel “The Great Alone” I couldn’t put it down. She is an exceptional storyteller, and her research is well done.
What books helped you the most when you were writing your (first) book?
Steven King’s “On Writing”. His advice on just sitting down and getting the story written is powerful. He says not to worry about spelling, punctuation, or grammar. Just write. You can fix all of the errors when you edit 20 times.
What inspired the idea for your book?
A close friend brought me her unsealed adoption records from the state of Tennessee and asked me to help her find her birth mother who had gone to a home for unwed mothers. The more research I did about what is now known as the “Baby Scoop Era” the more I was compelled to write a fictional story based on actual events.
What is the best money you’ve ever spent with regard to your writing?
The best money I have spent as a writer is to join the WFWA (Women’s Fiction Writers Association). It is so important to have relationships and networking with other writers and this group has been phenomenal.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I seriously wanted to be a writer when I was in my mid-twenties, but life got in the way.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I wrote my first book when I was 44 but I wasn’t published until I was 60.