Where have you spent most of your childhood days?
I have always loved the outdoors, so much of my childhood was spent outside. I was always eager to explore the “wild” places near my home or around my friends’ homes. However, I was also a bookworm, so if I wasn’t outside, I was probably curled up somewhere I hoped no one would find me so I could read undisturbed.
What developed your love for writing?
To be honest, I am not sure I remember the exact thing. However, I started writing when I was in middle school after our class read “Z for Zechariah”. Later, in high school, I had an English teacher who challenged me a great deal. While I never admitted it while I was in high school, the way she challenged and encouraged me played a huge part in motivating me to keep writing through the years.
At what age did you begin writing your first story? What was it about?
I was thirteen when I started my first post-apocalyptic story. I have the notes here somewhere, but all I remember is that it was inspired by “Z for Zechariah,” “Island of the Blue Dolphins,” and “Alas, Babylon."
How did you discover that you wanted to be a writer?
I discovered I wanted to be a writer when I realized books I was reading caused my imagination to go into overdrive. Writing down the stories helped to clear my head. Then seeing them on paper, re-reading them to myself, inspired even more.
How did you feel when you completed your first book?
Shock and fear. I wanted to finish a book for so long. When it finally happened, I sat there staring at it, not believing I was actually finished with it. Then I was afraid to publish it, and that is a whole different aspect of writing.
What challenges did you face while publishing your book, Short Stories From Mythnium: Anthology?
This anthology was almost ten years in the making. When I started the short stories, I was simply creating character sketches for a full-length novel. But as I completed more and more of those sketches, I realized I wanted to share them with readers. My hubby suggested I publish them stand alone, so I did. Each one was on Smashwords until 2019. Transitioning them from Smashwords to KDP and from e-book to paperback was terrifying. I was learning as I was going, and I really had no idea what to expect. The entire process was a learning experience for me.
How did you begin writing the "Awakenings" series?
Funny story: This series was not supposed to be. My first novel was originally titled “Dancing With Dragons.” It followed the main character, a half-elf born out of wedlock to a human prostitute, who discovered she was chosen at birth to be the savior of Mythnium. I worked on that story for over ten years. Then one NaNoWriMo, I realized I truly hated my main character. She was flat, shallow, unrealistic, and not likable. So for NaNoWriMo, I decided to just start from scratch using the characters from the Short Stories from Mythnium as my main characters. I wrote the entire first draft during that month, and published it in 2022. In creating that entirely new storyline, I realized I would need multiple books to do the story credence. Thus, the “Awakenings” series
Do you ever leave book reviews on other author's books? What do reviews mean to you?
I do leave reviews on other books. As a writer, I am more critical than I think I should be, and that can be harmful to my fellow writers. So, I am changing my reviewing methods to simply rating books I enjoy, and saving reviews for those books that truly impact the way I think. Reviews are powerful and incredibly valuable to writers. We need reader feedback so we can evaluate how we are doing as storytellers. So for me, I crave all honest and insightful reviews.
Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?
Oh yes, writing can be draining and stressful. Especially after that first draft is finished and the fun of writing ends, because then the work of improving the writing begins. But as stressful as the revisions, editing, rewriting, etc is, those are never to be ignored. I encourage all aspiring writers to make sure they understand that the first draft should never be the published draft. Read it. Revise it. Edit it. Revise it again. Over and over. Do your story justice by giving it the attention it needs before it reaches your reader’s eyes.
Is it better to write a series or a book that ends after one?
This entirely depends on the story being told. Some stories must have the space a series provides. However, other stories can capture the imagination, challenge the mind, and rock a person’s world all within one book. Once a writer finishes that first draft, they will know for sure if the story is complete, or if it needs more.
How do you make sure to draw readers into your stories?
This is an area I am struggling with, to be honest. I have been writing for a long time, and yet, I am not certain I actually do a good job of drawing readers in. That said, I know when I am reading, the stories that draw me in are those with strong connections to the characters, or a strong sense of being “in” the environment of the world. I hope my books do the same, but I am not quite sure how successful I am.
What, to you, is an ideal setting or environment for a good writing session?
My ideal setting for a good writing session is a space of comfort, quiet, and focus. Personally, I find this space in a corner of my living room where my desk looks out over the living space and the windows that look outside where I can see nature. I often turn off all other distractions, media devices, any distractions, and turn on a carefully crafted playlist, and take some time to meditate before I begin writing.
What is one message that you try to impart through your book, Echoes of Dragons?
Echoes of Dragons's over-arching message is one of the value in unexpected partnerships. My cast of characters begin with set destinations in mind, but as the story progresses, they find their plans unraveled while they are conjoined with complete strangers. In working together, they learn to adapt and overcome, skills they will need in the second book.
What are your plans for the future as a writer? Are you working on anything new?
Plans? Plans all revolve around projects in the works and they change and morph as I go, but I have constant hopes. I hope to see the World of Mythnium more fully developed for fantasy fans, so they can get to know and enjoy the places and the people as much as I do. However, I also have hopes for books I am working on within other genres. I think my main goal is to continue to grow as a writer, so each book will be better than the last.
When did you join AllAuthor? What do you think of the experience so far?
I joined AllAuthor not long after I published Short Stories from Mythnium. I have to admit, I am not on AllAuthor very often, because I spent most of my marketing time on social media where I feel I can target readers more easily. However, I am thankful for the exposure I get with AllAuthor on Twitter, and with the cover art contest I was able to be part of last year. I suspect there is a great deal I am still unfamiliar with, tools that I am not using, at AllAuthor, and that is something I hope to remedy in the near future.
