What’s your happiest memory from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is my first day of kindergarten. I remember wearing a blue dress with flowers on it. I was sitting at the coffee table in our living room eating a bowl of Cheerios. My dad surprised me and came home to be there with my mom and I to see me off. He tied my Saddle Shoes- they were my favorite shoes ever as a child!! Then we walked to the bus stop. I'll never forget looking up and seeing him walk in to see me off.
As a teenager, what were you obsessed with?
That's easy- New Kids on the Block! My room was plastered with posters of them, literally from ceiling to floor! I had the curtains, sheets, blankets. My parents bought me their tour jacket. Then when I got to see them in concert for the first time- OMG!!!! I still love them today. We got to see them right before all this COVID stuff. I was a proud mama when my 4 grown kids new every word to every song!
What first sparked your interest in writing?
This question is a mixed bag. I was the girl who always kept a diary. In high school I loved writing, but as I got older, got married, and had children- then homeschooled said children, I just got away from it. Several years ago, my family went through a significant trauma and I was really struggling with it. My husband bought a tablet and told me to start writing- he knew expressing my feelings on paper was always easier for me than verbally expressing them. It worked! Then, he asked me to write our story- not to be published, but for us. He encouraged me to pursue my MFA, which was an incredible journey. That's how I ended up here with my Fire and Ice Series.
How did your friends and family react to your first book?
Overall everyone was super supportive. My husband and my kids, are my biggest cheerleaders! My youngest daughter was the first person who bought my book when it released! My friends have all become fans! My absolute favorite is a relative, who will remain nameless, who messaged me to tell me she bought my book just to be supportive but then she started reading it and couldn't stop. She said I'm her new favorite author!
In what ways have your readers helped you grow?
I've met some incredibly wonderful people since I started writing. You know, I thought- I'm going to write a steamy romance novel, it'll all be fun, maybe I'll make a couple bucks, but then I started getting emails and private messages from women, very brave women, who've opened up and shared their personal stories with me. I've been humbled to be the receiver of these stories and I treasure each one and the woman behind them. They've helped me to see that my books might be fiction, but sometimes that fiction is going to speak to someone and maybe let them know they aren't alone. It's made me feel a greater sense of responsibility when I write.
What do you think makes a really good and relatable character?
I think a really great character is an imperfect character. One who doesn't have it all figured out. One who maybe struggles with body issues, screws up, cries- everything a "real life" person goes through. Why? Because for me, as a reader, that's the character I connect with. One that somedays has it all together and other days is a total disaster.
Which of your characters resonates with you the most and why?
Natalie definitely. When I did her initial character sketch I answered the questions as me. When you read her and all her insecurities, he innate desire to please everyone, her faults (down to her nail biting), and even her strengths, you get to know me. I think Natalie turned out to be stronger than I ever will be and I admire her for how much she grew. Initially my plan was different, but she spoke up and took the reigns of her story. She may be fictional, but one day I hope to have her day-to-day courage!
Coming to your book, "Submitting To Him", why do you think writing this book was so important to you?
Because this was my story. I took the story I was writing about my husband and I and fictionalized it. Alex is largely based on my husband (actually so is Viktor-he's the superhero part). It's not something we were very public about before these books, but we are in the BDSM lifestyle. My husband is my Dominant. I've read lots of books with a BDSM theme and love them, but I wanted to see something more true to life. My goal was to show a Dom/sub relationship how it might be lived in the real world. Where the Dominant is yes, an alpha male, but he's also caring, loving, and humble. A Dominant who doesn't have to force his submissive to submit to him, but one who earns it because of his character. I wanted to show a submissive who wasn't a push-over, but rather still has a mind of her own. She willingly gifts her submission but because they are "real," she messes up--so does he. It's the thing I get the most compliments on. Women appreciate seeing these more realistic characters.
How many books do you plan to write in the Fire And Ice series?
Oh boy- a lot! I just finished Natalie and Alex's story- they have a trilogy. I already know Viktor and Brandon and Lana will both have multiple books for their stories. Tony and Leo will have a book. I've been asked to tell Maxim and Irina's story- which I may do as a prequel of sorts. So, there's a whole lot more of Fire and Ice to come!
How was writing the book "Fighting With Him" different from your first book in the series? Are there any pieces of yourself that you see in Natalie?
Don't read this answer if you don't want a spoiler!!I talked about Natalie being like me in one of the previous questions, so I'll just talk about the first part of this question here. Fighting with Him took Natalie and Alex on such a different path than I ever saw coming. My initial plans for this book was to focus on Natalie's pregnancy and her apprehensions about being in the lifestyle while pregnant and raising a child and yes, that's addressed, but Alex and Natalie crossed their arms and told me nope, there's a bigger story for us to tell- and boy oh boy was it bigger!
When you start writing something new, what are some things you outline first?
Great question! My husband, who if you ask him says he's no help with any of this, is my greatest asset throughout the whole process, but especially with the outlining. I'm an all-over-the-place kind of person. He thinks things through and is organized. We do a lot of verbal back and forth coming up with the initial ideas. We discuss the characters and some of their traits and then we go over the major plot points then I move toward putting a loose outline on paper . That helps guide me when I'm starting to get lost in the story and forget where I'm supposed to be going.
What is one story that took a completely different turn than what you originally planned to do with it?
I just finished Book 3, which I can tell you is entitled Living for Him. To be honest, each of these stories took a different path than my original outline. Submitting to Him was my thesis book for my MFA program and if I showed you the initial proposal for it, you wouldn't think it was the same story. So, I guess the first book probably was the most changed. But each one has had a bit of a mind of it's own as the story developed and has changed from my initial plans- and I'm so thankful they did because I'm in love with them!
What has been the most important lesson you've learnt as a writer so far?
To write from my heart. No matter what you write, there's always going to be people saying, "you should have said it this way" or "the story should've gone a different direction" and their opinions are all valid. However, these are my stories and yes, I want people to read them and enjoy them, but if I don't write true to who I am and what story id I want to tell, the product that comes out won't be as good. So, believing in myself and writing what I love without being swayed. It's an ongoing lesson in self-confidence.
What are you currently working on? May we know when we can expect a new book?
I just finished Living with Him, the final part of Alex and Natalie's story and let me tell you it's an emotional rollercoaster ride with a lot of twists the reader won't see coming. The manuscript went to the publisher a few days ago, so hopefully that will be out in the next few months. In the meantime, I'm starting a new book. The main characters are a couple in their 40's. Their kids have all moved out and they're left wondering where their romance went and if/how they get it back. I'm really excited about it!
How were you introduced to AllAuthor? Has the website reached your expectations and is there anything we can do to improve your experience?
The first time I saw AllAuthor was with Aleatha Romig- she had a book in the cover of the month contest. I signed up for it after I published Submitting to Him. My cover made it to the final round of the contest!! I paid for a membership right away because there are so many features that are really helpful. I love the scheduled tweets, the mock-ups, and the general community you have all built on AllAuthor. I've recommended you many times to other authors!
