When and why did you decide to move to Seattle?
I moved to Seattle as a teenager from Hawaii. Being the second to the last child to prepare for college, my parents wanted to have us on the “mainland” so that we could see colleges and expand our horizons from just living in Hawaii. It was a long process to get acclimated to Seattle, to go from an All Girl, Catholic High School to a Co-Ed Catholic High School. Now, I live in Florida and still visit Seattle as I have family there.
Who is the most supportive person in your life when it comes to your writing?
The most supportive person overall and not just in my writing, is my mother. She is truly my best friend and without her support, I wouldn’t have the tenacity to be as strong as I am today.
What are the best places to go in Hawaii?
It depends on what you like to do in Hawaii. I have always loved surfing, hiking, exploring. Growing up, we would do just about anything and everything as long as it was outdoors.
What do you like about the scary tales about vampires, werewolves, angels, demons, and witches?
I love the way the horror/scary/paranormal stories test your boundaries of what is real and what isn’t. I think part of why I love them is to scare other people, but then again, we also lived in a haunted house in Hawaii and to watch my youngest sister get so scared would just thrill me. I have to say demons are probably one of my favorites. Similar to angels, it’s like there can be a demon (or an angel) for almost anything! A demon that is half child, half demon, a demon that is a soul stealer, you name it. The possibilities are endless which allows my imagination to run wild.
How much time did it take you to finish your first book?
My first book took less than 6 months. That was Queen’s Destiny in the Blood Prophecy Series.
What inspired the plot of your first book, The Queen's Destiny?
Queen’s Destiny came from a dream I had. And as I started to write it, it took on a life of its own. I tend to suffer from insomnia at times, which has it’s good moments and it’s bad ones. But, what started out as a dream became a full fledged series.
What challenges did you face while writing the last book in the series, The Queen's Ascension?
The challenges were to find the right ending. I had so many thoughts on how I wanted this to end but then I would get a thought that this might upset my readers, so I tried a different ending. With that, came the thought that this ending was too cliché! I toyed with it and then I asked a couple of my readers that interact with me a lot, what would they like to see. I had so many different opinions that I finally combined all their thoughts and came up with the best ending.
Who inspired the character of Chloe, a teenage witch?
Chloe was probably inspired by one of my closest friend’s sister. Chloe can be independent and always finding herself in some sort of trouble and I would remember when my friend’s sister would always call me. The call would start out like this: “Well, you know how I am not supposed to leave my room because I got in trouble, can you come get me?”
Do you need to know how a novel ends before you begin writing it?
Oh my gosh, never! I never know how a novel will end. I let the characters and how each chapter plays them out lead me to the ending. I can’t even plan out a novel. I write by the seat of my pants and with feelings. I will write anywhere. Speaking of endings – the ending to Queen’s Ascension was written while ziplining with friends. I just wrote it from my phone and then transferred it later.
What are your hobbies apart from writing?
I have so many hobbies that I can’t keep up at times! I am a “gym rat”. You can always find me in the gym at least once a day. I am a Certified Master Life Coach, Personal Fitness Trainer in addition to having a successful career in IT. I also volunteer a lot, I’m an advocate for Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking. But I am also an adrenaline junkie! I am always active and love travelling.
What is the one advice you would like to give to young writers in the world?
To write what your heart tells you to write and don’t give up.
How long did it take you to discover the true meaning of success?
I am all about constant improvement that I don’t think I have a definite true meaning of success. I feel successful when I can write The End for a novel, I feel successful when I see my children accomplish something.
What is one question you wish you would get asked more? What would be your answer?
That’s a good one! I always love being asked questions. Maybe being asked out for a date! All kidding aside, I am such an open book that I will answer any question asked of me.
What are you currently working on?
I have several pieces that are in progress at the same time. Let’s see…
From the Blood Prophecy Series, these are the next books in line -
Blood Prophecy Four: Rise of the Hunter
Blood Prophecy Novella: Machiel and the Stone of the Damned
Blood Prophecy Novella: Zaraquel and Temptations of Fate
Then, I am writing something I always wanted to do: Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves: Secrets of the Heart. It’s about King Henry VIII and Anne, his fourth wife, and what happens after the annulment.
Lastly, this is a personal novel. A Mother’s Justice. This novel is about a mother fighting against a system to protect her children from a legal system and her ex husband that found her guilty of alienation when in fact, he is the abuser. She and the children endured domestic violence and her own lawyers couldn’t protect them until she became her own attorney and won.
How has your experience of being associated with AllAuthor been?
I’ve really enjoyed it. I have to get another cover in one of your monthly contests again. Queen’s Ascension did well.
