Where were you born, and what was your childhood like?
I was born into a struggling blue collar family in Tennessee to an emotionally abusive narcissistic mother and a spiritually defeated father with a broken heart, oldest child of two. My father was a grass-is-greener rolling stone and we moved constantly. I attended 13 different schools as I was growing up.
How did your childhood influence your current attitude towards work ethic?
My brother and I both became workaholics determined not to share the poor fate of our parents. We have done fairly well for ourselves. I have run my own successful website development business, Blue’s ArtHouse Graphics & Web Design, since 1997. Yep, I’m a certified cyberspace dinosaur. When I started my business, websites had only been around for six years. But I must be doing something right because my business is still humming along after 26 years.
What was your biggest dream as a child? Did it ever come true?
I was a die hard dreamer so I had many dreams: popularity, rockstar, millionaire, famous, drop-dead gorgeous… well none of those ever came true. But many of my more realistic dreams have happened to varying degrees: I’ve married a wonderful fellow, traveled all over the world, run a successful business, sold my artwork in galleries, and now I’ve published a book that has hit international best seller on Amazon four times! I am blessed beyond measure.
What made you realize that you wanted to be a writer?
I was writing stories from the moment I learned a few basic words. I’ve been a constant journaler my entire life. I never wanted to be a writer; I was born a writer. I couldn’t stop even if I tried.
What are some things to keep in mind when writing a memoir?
Make it a story. All the rules for a good novel apply. Include the best and dump the rest. And for gosh sakes, write for your readers, not yourself!
What challenges did you face while writing your memoir, My Demon, My Jesus?
This was my first full length book so the scope of the project was daunting. I’m also an editing/revision fanatic so the book went through countless rewrites before I felt it was ready for print. The entire project took three years from start to press. I am going to try to pick up the pace a bit for future books!
Do you prefer writing on a notepad first or you directly start writing on your computer?
I write in my journals daily so everything starts there. Then I move it to digital and do massive amounts of revising and tweaking on the computer.
How can you read a book without getting bored instantaneously after you begin?
Read interesting books… duh! ;-)
What is the best compliment you have ever received after publishing your memoir, My Demon, My Jesus?
A woman contacted me to tell me that she had given my book to her daughter who was in prison. The daughter was very moved by the book and experienced some miraculous healing as a result of reading the book. She shared the book with the other women in her ward and many of the women had salvation and healing experiences after reading the book.
What is something, as a woman, you would never do?
Shave my face?
If you could have any superpower (or become any magical beast like a vampire, werewolf, etc), what would it be and why?
I would want the power of healing so that I could simply touch people and heal their sicknesses and emotional illnesses.
Do you take the same pleasure in reading a book on an e-reader as in paper format?
Yes, I prefer the portability of my Kindle over traditional paper books.
You're on a ship that's about to sink, what do you say to the person next to you?
Do you know my friend, Jesus?
What is the next book you are looking forward to writing? What is it about?
I am currently working on a workbook companion to My Demon, My Jesus that guides readers through meditative prayer and emotional healing exercises. After that I’ll be writing another memoir about forgiveness and healing from an emotionally abusive parent.
How has your experience with AllAuthor been?
My experience with AllAuthor has been very good. I especially love the weekly mockup banners. Thank you!
