Raised by Wolves is a bestselling LGBT series that many believe is more autobiographical than fictional. How much of your personal life influenced the story?
Believe it or not, this series is 95% true to life as I remember it. Of course, I made some scenes a little funnier and changed names to protect the guilty, but the five books of this journey really are my own personal experiences.
The Southern United States is often portrayed as conservative. How did your upbringing in this region shape your views and writing?
The South is viewed as conservative because it is—and I don’t say that in a disparaging way. People hold their beliefs and, in many cases, live their truths. I think this made me cautious at first, unsure how to write mm romance, but I got over that. Spice is part of life, so it’s part of my stories, too.
Your main characters in Raised by Wolves navigate complex emotions and relationships. How did you approach writing these dynamics, and do any of them reflect your personal experiences?
They were all my own personal experiences, true to life. When I wrote those scenes, I tried to put myself back in those days, to feel what I originally felt at the time and pour that onto the page. When we get to the last couple of books in the series, and life gets a bit more serious, writing some of those episodes brought me to tears. I totally understand why many readers write to me saying they bawled in places. Welcome to my world. ?
As an avid tennis player, do you find parallels between the discipline of tennis and the discipline of writing?
Oh, sure. Writing is like any sport or craft. The more you practice, the better you get. It also helps to have a great coach. And it’s hard work. Anyone who thinks writing books is “the easy life” has never tried to build an indie author business. It’s competitive and very challenging; but if you work hard enough and are humble enough to take feedback, success is possible.
Cooking is often considered an art, much like writing. How does your passion for cooking influence your creative process, if at all?
This one made me laugh. I scatter food and recipes throughout my stories like easter eggs. Readers email me pictures of their own attempts at these dishes. That cracks me up. I also use references to cooking competition shows. Heath and I are obsessed with them. It’s a bit of a game, really. Just another thing to make fun about writing.
Your love for dogs is well-known. Do any of your pets make appearances in your books, or have they inspired any characters or storylines?
Jesse, the dog in the Raised by Wolves series, really was my Baby Girl. Her personality, etc. described in those books was true to who she was. I haven’t included any of my other dogs in books but wouldn’t be opposed to it. They’re definitely characters!
Gummy bears are a fun, quirky favorite. Do you have any other unexpected habits or hobbies that might surprise your readers?
Hmm. I don’t think so. Heath and I live a fairly normal life.
The romance genre, especially within LGBT fiction, is vast. What sets Fighting the Flames Within apart?
I try to write stories with depth, not simply guilty pleasures with lots of sex, not that there’s anything wrong with a good romp. Fighting the Flames Within is the first in a series where I try to honor those who serve. Think doctors, fire fighters, nurses, teachers, etc. I try to be very intentional in portraying real people dealing with real life, both the good and the challenging. That authenticity sets many of my characters apart but is especially poignant in the Heartstrings of Honor series.
What challenges, if any, did you face when writing about LGBT characters and themes? How do you ensure authenticity in your storytelling?
This one could go in several directions. As an author, I had to get over my own conservative upbringing and realize readers want to see it all on the page. Writing spicy scenes felt super awkward at first. I had to get over that. From a business standpoint, I’m constantly dealing with rules around what images can or can’t be used on covers, etc. This also applies to where I can sell my books. Some retailers or libraries won’t even consider an MM romance that contains spice. Others have weird rules. That’s an ever-evolving field of frustration.
I Hear You deals with themes of identity and acceptance. What advice would you give to readers struggling with these issues in their own lives?
First, I would say, “You are not alone.” We all struggle. We all question. We all wonder about our own worth and place in the world. I would wager that’s the same for everyone regardless of sexuality, identity, or any other criteria. It’s part of the human condition.
Second, it will get better. No matter what you feel today, tomorrow will be different, a new opportunity for a brighter future. Accept who you are and live your truth knowing each moment can be better than the last.
Finally, learn to ignore the noise. As a writer, my work is publicly flogged on a daily basis. Readers can be brutal. Frankly, I don’t read reviews very often. Review sites/sections are places for readers to share their thoughts, not a hangout for authors. If I paid attention to the chatter, ONE one-star review would nag me for days despite the 500 5-stars on that same book. We have to learn to focus on what’s important and ignore the rest.
How has the success of The Batter's Box impacted your life, both personally and professionally?
Batter’s Box is special to me because Cooper is my all time favorite character I’ve ever created. If it never sold a copy, I would be happy with the story and characters. Now, don’t get me wrong, Heath likes to eat. I’m happy it’s selling!
If you could spend a day with one of your characters from Buckeye, who would it be and why?
Marcus – because he’s insanely hot and – hell, he’s Marcus. If you’ve ready Buckeye, you get it.
What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about LGBT fiction, and how do you hope to challenge or change those perceptions with your work?
I think the biggest misconception around romance books in general is that they are all just smutty sex scenes with no substance. While there are shelves for erotica, most romance contains stories and characters that go beyond mere sensuality. I certainly try to craft authentic characters and plots in which people happen to fall in love and get naked. It’s part of the story, part of life, but it isn’t the reason for the tale. That perception frustrates me, but it is what it is.
What’s next for you as an author? Do you have other projects in the works?
Oh, Mady. I’m an author. I’m always writing the next book! An Archer’s Redemption, the final novel in the Of Crowns & Quills series, goes to the editor this weekend. I’m about 90% complete writing Brothers of the Guild, a prequel for that same series. At the same time, I’ve done about 90% of my research to start writing the next book in the Of Shadows & Secrets spy series, which should hit shelves in January. Oh, and one more – Nursling is the next book in the Heartstrings of Honor series, featuring a new nurse and his journey into the medical world. Lots of irons in the fire!
What do you think of AllAuthor? Has this website been helpful to you?
AllAuthor is one of many resources I use. Their mockup software is helpful for ad elements, etc., and I have a few books featured on the site at any given time. Exposure and marketing are full contact sports. We have to be everywhere. AllAuthor allows us to gain additional exposure to readers we might not otherwise touch, and that’s highly valuable.
