How did writing help you to quiet the noises in your head?
Penning or typing in random phrases that become scenarios then grow into stories and series is a balm to the itch that won’t go away. Many of those scenes are subconscious – influenced by a Muse – because when I edit later, I don’t always remember writing them,
What is the earliest experience you had with writing that you remember?
I first tried writing a novel when I was ten. I was spending the summer with my grandmother, a personal friend of Ernest Hemingway. I told her I was writing a story based on a dream. She said it was best to write about life experiences. At ten, I didn’t have much. Rather than inspire me, she inadvertently stifled me.
If you could meet one American or English author from between 100 and 500 years ago, who would it be?
I would love to meet Mark Twain. He was such a rebel in his prose and style. Also, he was a world traveler. I’d love to ask him to tell me all about his trip to Australia in 1895, a site of several of my past and future time travel stories.
Which is your favorite story from the collection, Dear Santa: A Christmas Wish apart from your own?
I love the premise of Susan Jean Ricci’s Cruising for Mister Right. Oh, to have such a bounty of choices of partners! Sue’s a great word spinner on top of dreaming up fantastic scenarios.
What inspired the story of the first book, The Set Up in the Triplets: Three Aren't One series?
My prompt was to write a strong woman story. I have five daughters and know that being eighteen is probably the toughest time of a young woman’s life. I decided to make it as rough as I could on Grace. She had to be a survivor, though. I didn’t know until I was about halfway through the story that it was going to be a series. Then, I couldn’t wait to write the others and bring her sadness around to joy. The sixth book in the series is still a few months out, though.
What is the important essence or ingredient to writing a romance novel?
I believe the leads should find someone who doesn’t fit the profile of who they expected to wind up with.
Who inspired the character of California chiropractor Jaime Hernandez in "The Polar Xpress"?
I’ve seen how the Iditarod and its dog mushing culture overtakes people. It wasn’t the guy but the gal who got my brain working for a story. Rachael Scdoris, a legally blind female Iditarod musher, was the prompt for my tough gal. ‘Wynter’ needed someone to fix her sight but in a non-traditional way. She got her vision and love life healed by the same guy. I always liked the name Jaime, and Jaime Hernandez just flowed, so I used it.
Do you need to know how a novel ends before you begin writing it?
I seldom know how a story will end other than I want a happy for now or happy ever after. It has to have humor in it somewhere, too.
Which one do you prefer: writing a series or a standalone novel? Why?
I like series best. I cross over between mine. It’s nice to know your characters going in. I usually plant little ‘Easter eggs’ in a story, then return to it in another story. How did Benji get his stripes (scars on his back) in The Great Big Fairy? That wouldn’t fit in the first story’s timeline, so I wrote another one about his younger life. If I write a standalone, I miss the characters. It’s as if they died and I’ll never be able to visit them when they get older. 11. What is the best experience you had by putting yourself out of your comfort zone? I went to Australia in 2014 to research The First Fleet. That’s a long way for a single old lady to travel! I got extremely seasick on a boat similar to the one some of the First Fleet came in on in 1788. I had to keep going, though. No one was going to do it for me.
What was your reaction when you made USA Today Bestsellers’ List?
I was happy, not just for me, but for the other authors who helped support our effort. It tickled my granddaughters more than my daughters, but my husband positively busted buttons with pride.
How do you keep in touch with your readers and fans?
I have a newsletter I try to send out every Friday, sometimes Saturday. I have a website and Facebook page but most interaction comes from direct emails. I miss in person events. They were the best.
Is there anything new that you're working on? When can we expect the next book to come out?
I’m writing two stories at the same time. The Wizard of Odds will be released first in the Cute But Crazy: Unique and Unpredictable box set. Set release date of April 23. (side note) I’m also writing a prequel which will be free. Estimated release mid-May. My four series are loosely linked together. This book (no title yet) will ‘mostly’ be a prequel to The Fairies Saga and Arlie Undercover. There are a few other crossover characters in it, too.
How has your experience of being associated with AllAuthor been?
I love AllAuthor! The tools, presentation of authors and their/our books, and precision. Easy on a reader’s eyes really makes a difference. Oh, and ease of use. Logical layout works for me!
