1) Where are you from?

I was born and raised in the southern United States and I continue to live there today.



2) Tell us your latest news?

My latest news has to be my next expected release. It is a historical suspense romance which will be published in late summer or Fall of 2011. This was the first story I wrote and I can’t wait for it to be published. Also I recently received a contract on a humor/satire, which will come out around November of 2011.



Needless to say I’m busy, but I’m enjoying every minute of it.



3) When and why did you begin writing?

How I became an author is an interesting story. Sometimes I think it happened by chance, by accident, completely without my help. Although if I calculate all the hours I’ve invested into my writing, I realize that’s not exactly true.

About two years ago, I told my cousin I wanted to write a romance novel. I’ve read romances in every genre for years. At one time about five years ago, I’d tried to write one, but it never made it past the editing stage. When I informed my cousin of my plan, she encouraged me. Said it would be a joint effort. I didn’t know at the time she would become unable to help me and I would be completely on my own.

I went on to finish that manuscript and I sent it out to several agents and publishers but it never made it past the first stages. Disgruntled and looking for new ways to get my work out there, I stumbled across a forum post for Solstice Publishing’s Celebrate the Season contest. I was waiting to hear from a publisher on my manuscript at the time so I set all my other ideas aside and started work on a submission. In two weeks I had written a novella of about 13,000 words and submitted it for the contest. Now all I had to do was cross my fingers and wait.

Within a few weeks I discovered I was one of five winners and my novella was going to be published! This gave me renewed hope that anything was possible.



4) Do you have a specific writing style?

My writing style is a hybrid between plotter and pantser. I admit I start with just a general idea of my story. Then as I go along and things began to come together on paper I began to plot, but not real in depth.



5) How did you come up with the title?

The way I choose my title isn’t very specific. It just kind of comes to me while I’m writing the story.



7) How much of the book is realistic?

As far as the novel being realistic, I guess it all depends on which novel. When talking about my two novellas they are completely realistic. Anyone could go on a trip, have an accident and be stuck, right? Or a lone woman could get a job working for a single man taking care of his child and they could easily fall in love.



But that being said, my YA paranormal is not exactly realistic. Since The Key is a mystery you’ll just have to read to find out why.



8) Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

I have to say, yes, most of the time what I write is based on real life experiences or on experiences of someone I know.



9) What book are you reading now?

In between writing and editing I try to read. In fact, I love to read. And at the moment I’m reading two books. The first one is, Quo Vadis. It was a free Amazon read. Written by a Polish author 1895 and later translated into English, this book won a Pulitzer Prize for Literature. I have to say it is a classic love story.



10) What books have most influenced your life?

I would have to say the greatest book to influence my life has been The Holy Bible.



11) Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Writers who have grasped my interests of late have been the clean writers for Astraea Press. When you buy a book from this publisher you know you’ll feel comfortable reading it.



13) What are your current projects?

I’m working on a sequel to my YA paranormal romance which I hope to submit later this month. I’m also seeking representation on an Inspirational Romantic Suspense novel.



14) Do you see writing as a career?

When I started writing, I really only did it on a whim. I’m at home most the time schooling my children and I wanted something to do to occupy my mind. I kept thinking, when they leave home what will I have. Now I know, writing!



15) Can you share a little of your current work with us?

My historical romance coming out in early Fall 2011 is about a young lady, Sarra of Greenbriar, whose father has passed away. The king sends suitors her way, which she proceeds to run off in the most unusual of ways. Then one day, a stranger arrives at the keep. Unsure whether he is friend or foe, Cedric is welcomed in.



Cedric has come to acquire Greenbriar for himself. The way to do this is by marrying the lady of the estate, the only problem is, he doesn’t know who the lady is.



Since there is an element of suspense in all my stories, I’m afraid I mustn’t say more. You’ll just have to wait and read the novel when it comes out.



16) Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I think the hardest part of writing for me has been trying to write future books while promoting the ones I’ve already published. With the advance in ebook technology more and more people are able to publish. This has caused many new smaller publishers to crop up and offer publishing services, but with that comes authors promoting their own work. With so many new authors being published the author now has to work doubly hard to get noticed. This takes more time than I thought possible.



17) Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

One of my favorite authors has to be Francine Rivers. Her honesty about her conversion from the secular writing world to the world of inspirational writing was very interesting and moving. I love the ability she has to create inspirational yet romantic characters. Her Mark of the Lion series kept me coming back for more and more and more.



18) Who designed the covers?

The Key and The Holiday Truce coverart was designed by a Solstice Publishing cover artist. The Perfect Rose’s cover was designed by Elaina Lee.



19) What was your life like before becoming an author?

Believe it or not my life hasn’t changed since becoming an author. Oops, I take it back. I’m much busier now. AND I’ve had to acquire a thicker set of skin.



20) What sparked the idea for your novel?

Different things spark ideas for my novels. The Holiday Truce was specifically designed as a Christmas story to win a contest.



The Perfect Rose was my original entry for the Christmas contest but I changed my mind. I later contracted this story as a Valentine’s story. But the idea was to create a husband who needed help with a “special” needs child.



And last but not least, The Key, had a very interesting beginning. This story started with a fairly simple idea, a popular girl who wouldn’t date a hot guy because he drove an ugly truck.



I just never know what will get my wheels turning.



21) What is your writing routine?

My writing routine varies. Sometimes I carry a pad of paper in my hand and write with a pen. Sometimes I’m in the mood to sit down at the keyboard and just type. But always once the story is in the computer it has to be printed on paper so I can read it over. I like the ability of flipping back and forth between pages to check for consistency.



22) Which comes first? The character's story or the idea for the novel?

The story idea comes first. After I have the basic idea then I start building the characters.



23) Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Anything I want to say to my readers, let me think. Yes, it would thrill my soul if you would purchase one my books. Seriously I appreciate you the reader and thank you for taking the time to read what I’ve written here.



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