What were your childhood dreams?
When I was a child, I wanted to work with animals. I wanted to build an arch and save them when the big one came. I fantasized about saving the animals of the world like a modern-day Noah.
What inspired you to start writing poems?
The poems poured out of me, usually after a traumatic event but sometimes after a happy one too. They were inspired by significant events in my life.
What was your reaction when you were nominated Poet of the Yearby Illiad Press?
I was excited and happy. Proud mostly that my work had been noticed. I was also sad because I was a single mom at the time and could not travel in person to receive the honor and could not leave the kids behind.
How did you come up with the story of your book, Butterfly?
Like every little girl, I believed in fairies and I built things for them and put them out in my garden. This was before fairy gardens existed or fairies were popular. And Butterflies have always been a sort of symbolic remembrance of the past for me, of loved ones that have left our planet, of love and everything that is life.
Do you ever leave book reviews on other authors' books? What do reviews mean to you?
Yes, because I know what it is to be an author and how important a review can be. Reviews, to me, mean a glimpse of what the rest of the world thinks about my book. It is important for me to remember also that reviews are simply opinions and not necessarily facts.
When did you screw everything up, but no one ever found out it was you?
That's a hard question. I could answer my life? I could've made smarter choices in life and listened more to the people who cared most about me. To the world, I appeared strong and well put together, while inside, I was falling apart, hurting, crying out for help. And life went on, great fodder for writing.
Did you plan all six books in the Wisdom's Quest series?
Originally Wisdom's Quest was a trilogy, I split each book in half to create the six-book series. I was advised by an agent that series are more popular and that teens and young adults would rather read a shorter book, so I did what she suggested and created Wisdom's Quest.
I have always been interested in Atlantis, and most of my stories have been about that. I did plan the original trilogy, with the first book taking place in Atlantis, the second in modern-day times, with the same characters reincarnated, and the third in what I call the Ancient future. All part of the same universe and all with recurring characters.
Who inspired the character of Sahar in "Final Days"?
Sahar is a collaboration between my adult daughter and myself when I was young.
Where is it better to write a book, Webnovel or Wattpad?
I don't use either, but in regard to location, I've tried many places, including Disneyland at the Carnation. But for some reason, Starbucks wins the prize; the atmosphere, coffee, pastries, and other writers clicking away at their laptops, it just feels right.
How did you come up with the title of The Tale Of Barton Bean? What is it's significance?
At My boyfriend's church, there is a man named Barton Bean, and I immediately thought to myself, what an amazing title his name would make, so I asked him if I could use it, and he was ecstatic and extremely grateful and agreed. The Tale of Barton Bean was by far the most fun to write. I have characters with names like Free Holy, which of course, sounds like frijole (bean) in Spanish. Also, Ed Amame, a photographer and sidekick to long-legged string bean reporter Beanie Cole, This book brings cultures together. Barton Bean is the first Human Bean in existence, but there are others.
Who is your favorite Paranormal Romance author?
Diana Gabaldon author of Outlander.
What are your top 5 writing and marketing tips?
Write everyday, connect with you work, your characters and story in a personal way.
Have a support group, a writers critique group
Go to writing events and conferences
Surround yourself with people who write and understand you and the path you are on
Use all forms of social media to promote your book
Have book signing events, a blog, podcasts, etc ...
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on another time travel piece, called Windows of Time where the characters travel through windows to different periods in time.
Do you have any kind of weird or unusual habit or talent that only those close to you know about?
Well, in all honesty that about covers everything I do and am. LOL. Good question. Okay get ready. I tell true stories about Atlantis from memory and present them as fiction.
How has your experience been working with AllAuthor?
I have enjoyed working with AllAuthor very much. I have also joined the book cover contest and used many of the tools you have available. I have shared AllAuthor with my writing group and other writer friends and highly recommended it at writing conferences and book signing events featuring multiple writers.
