The
Mylari Chronicles - The Soulmates -
Due out
March 25th
The
Peacekeeper Journals - The Joining
1.
When and
why did you begin writing?
I wrote
my first romance book when I was in the second grade and
Steven, my boyfriend dumped me for a girl who could swing on
the monkey bars.This tragic tale of
love and loss still makes me cry and giggle.
Really, I
have been writing forever.Short
stories, screen plays,and songs.I had to write.To take what I
dreamed and put it on paper.It was not
till Bumpa,my grandpa died,that I took the initiative to try to sell something.It was a story for Country Magazine about him, and it
helped me deal with his loss and give him a tribute at the
same time.
2.
What
inspired you to write your first book?
Other
than Two, Two Manythe one about Steven
and his monkey bars girl?LOLMy first publishable book was written when I was
snowed in one Idaho winter.I could not
sleep, so I sat by the fireand imagined
up the beginning of The Peacekeeper JournalsThe Joining.When I went back to
bed I dreamed up the rest and the next day I started
writing.So I guess you could say the
snow inspired me.
3.
Who or
what has influenced your writing, and in what way?
I
remember devouring all kinds of romance novels.Harlequin, Silhouette, and then later I graduated to
the bodice ripper type.I remember
falling in love with anything by Nora Robertsand it was after reading her that I decided to really
try and put my thoughts and dreams into words.I wanted to be able to draw my readers into the
worlds I created, just like she did.
4.
How has
your environment/upbringing colored your writing?
My Mom is
a writer too and always encouraged me.
She did not mind my obsession with reading and gave me
plenty of time to follow the wind and hear my stories.
When I
married, other than my husband being a great romantic
inspiration, our moving around so much gave me lotsof ideas to play with.I plan to
write a story for every place we have lived or visited.
5.
Do you
have a specific writing style?
Hmmm that
is a tough one.I hope it is a good
style.LOLI would
have to say that I am an old fashioned romantic who does not
mind adding a little heat to her romance stories.Some will be more sensual while others will be
erotica.I also seem to infuse humor
into my stories whether I want to or not.Real love and commitment will always figure into my
books.
6.
What
genre are you most comfortable writing?
Romance
first and foremost.And even though my
first published book is a Contemporary romance I love to
write Fantasy and Paranormal romance stories.Those are the dreams I have and I enjoy putting them
on paper.Vampires shapeshifters and
other oddities are my forte.
7.
How did
you come up with the title for your book(s)?
Hot Tubs
and Hot Hunks came to me in the shower, title included.The Peacekeeper Journals and the Mylari Chronicles
were dreamed up as I slept.Others, like
Here Comes Peter, a new Easter story, just popped into my
mind as I was writing.
8.
Are
experiences based on someone you know, or events in your
life?
Yes…I use both my own life and things I hear or read
about as springboards for writing.
Although most of my writing is fantasy oriented, I can still
use those experiences in the books, if I tweak them a bit.
9.
What
books have most influenced your life?
Again,
Nora Roberts most of all.Her book,
Irish Thoroughbred was the book I chose to pick apart and
teach myself the secrets of good writing.Linda Howard, Elizabeth Lowell and Jayne Ann Krentz
have also infulenced me.As far as a
different type of book… I like Laruell K. Hamilton, Maggie
Shayne, Marilyn Campbell, and Susan Krinard.
10. If you
had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Nora
Roberts, no doubt.She is an amazing
writer who can create whole worlds that her readers call
home.She can paint word pictures in her
books that are amazing.She makes me
cry, laugh and cheer.I want to be able
to do that too.
11. What are
you reading now?
I just
finished Jayne Ann Krentzs new book,All
Night long.I really enjoyed it.I love her writing.She makes me
laugh, and I enjoy that her heroes are not always what you
expect.She can make a computer geek or
a researcher sooo sexy.
12. What new
author has grasped your interest?
In print
book, I have been readingMaggie Shayne,
who is a new author to me.I love her
paranormal books.In the e book world, I
have to say that J J Massa and Kate September have both
peaked my interest.Both are excellent
writers that create those worlds that I enjoy.
13. How does
your family and/or friends feel about your book or writing
venture in general?
My
husband Jonathon loves to brag that his wife is an author.It feels good to hear him talk me up.My kids are very proud of me, even though the type of
book I write, romance, makes my youngest son roll his eyes.LOL
14Do you see writing as a long- or short-term career?
Since I
have been doing it forever, it is long term, but I hope to
continue writing and publishing as long as I enjoy doing it,
and my readers enjoy my books.But it
is more than a career, it is a necessity.I have to write.
15. What are
your favorite authors and what is it that really strikes you
about their work?
This is a
very long list, but I will just pick a few.Linda Howard, because I love her way of making
romance sexy.I want to take all her
heroes home with me.Agatha Christie,
because she is the grand dame of all writing, and her plots
are so perfectly conceived.Piers
Anthony, because his writing never fails to make me laugh
and think.And of course, Nora Roberts,
Elizabeth Lowell, and Jayne Ann Krentz.
16. What book
you have read recently made an impression on you?
Portrait
of Desire, by Kate September was really good.Very sensual without going over the top.I liked it a lot.
17. How do
you promote your book (s)?
As a new
author, I am just learning to do this.
Groups on line, networking with other authors, interviews
like this one, any way you can get your name out.A web site is a must, and a newsletter is helpful.This year I will be attending the Romantic Times
convention in Daytona, and I think that will be a real help.
18. Do you
have any advice for other writers?
Do not
forget to have fun.With everything that
goes on around you, remember why you began writing in the
first place and stay on course.All the
work of being published can take away from the joy of
writing.The other thing is enjoy your
fans.Get to know them.They are a great group of people, and even if I was
not writing, I would enjoy their company.
19. Do you
recall how your interest in writing originated?
I swear
it was genetic.My Mom writes, my
brother and son are songwriters, and my Nana was a story
teller.I was telling stories, before I
could walk.
20. Can you
share a little of your current work with us?
My book
Hot Tubs and Hot Hunks came out on February 11th.Here is a short blurb about it.
Excerpts
We all
know that shopping can taking the sting out of a bad
breakup.But can buying a hot tub, and
then accepting a different kind of service from the hot hunk
who comes to install it, make a girl’s Valentine wishes come
true?
When
Mandy and Sawyer meet, one touch causes spontaneous
combustion, and Sawyer immediately sets his sites on more
than just a hot tub install.But add to
that an ex-boyfriend, a mischievous ferret, and two people
who are just a tad commitment shy, and you have a story that
will show you what happens when you take a chance on a hot
and unexpected love.
21. Is there
anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
As anyone
who knows me can tell you, I hate to do a synopsis.They are the bane of my writing existence.It is a huge challenge for me to take a novel length
book and put it into a few pages.I
think every word is important, so it is hard for me to only
focus on the highlights.
22. Where do
you hope to take your writing in the future?
My goal
is two fold.I would love to make enough
money with my writing that it pays for itself.But more importantly, I would like to share my worlds
and dreams with as many people as possible.I like my stories, and I think others will too. The
future is a blank dream just waiting to be imagined.And for me, that is such a cool place to be.
23. Is there
anything additional you would like to share with your
readers?
I would
like to invite you to join my newsgroups.They are a great group of people and we have a lot of
fun.
If my
readers can enjoy the worlds I create, then I know I have
accomplished my goal.I want everyone to
close their eyes and join me as I dream.
The best nation to live in is the imagination, and I invite
all my readers to come visit.I hope
that when they do so, they too will find out the joy of
following their dreams.
