Where did you grow up?
I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. I lived on the east coast (New York City, Princeton, New Jersey, and Charlottesville, Va) for ten years. I moved back to St. Louis when I met my husband and have lived here ever since.
What are some things that vastly influenced your interest in books and writing?
I have an acting and theatre background, and I guess I have always been fascinated with the complex lives of fictional characters. I'm an avid reader, and I love movies as well.
Do you remember the first piece you ever wrote? What was it about?
In fourth grade, I wrote a short story about a woman who had a small shop in Grand Central Station. She would greet her customers and sell them trinkets. It turned out the woman was homeless and she was imagining the public bathroom was her shop. My teacher thought it was weird.
What are some writing tips you've borrowed from your favorite authors?
I think the most valuable thing I've learned from reading great writers is structuring fiction. Telling a great story is more than just instinct; it's a craft that must be learned.
How different is being a television writer than being a romance author?
Oh Lord, it's different in every conceivable way. Writing scripts for television happens at a lightning pace. Scripts are almost entirely dialogue and there is absolutely no time to ruminate. Also, television writing is highly collaborative (that's putting it nicely). I can finish a script and an hour later it can come back with a note that says, "make the best friend character a lion tamer instead of a teacher." It's hectic and incredibly fun, but I definitely prefer novels.
When it comes to romantic suspense, how do you write to ensure a thoroughly suspenseful and chill-inducing scene?
For me, the key to suspense is what's not said.
I'm writing this story right now, and there's an assassin who smokes Russian cigarettes. The character rarely appears and never speaks, but every so often another character will smell that distinctive tobacco. The reader knows this evil presence is there lurking.
Why did you choose New York City as the setting for the book, False Front?
Even though I'm a midwesterner, I have lived in New York and know it well. We filmed the television show I wrote, Almost There, in Bushwick Brooklyn, and my writing partner and I moved to SoHo for three months for the shoot. I love how New York can be so bustling but also isolating.
Which book in the Bishop Security Series took more time to write?
Buried Beneath took the longest. I always do a lot of background research, and the main character, Evangeline Cole is an archaeologist. I basically gave myself a crash course in Mallorcan ancient history. There is also a storyline that involves Moorish treasure. That is based on the true story of Moorish kings fleeing the Spanish Crusaders. It was actually a blast learning all that stuff.
How did you go about creating the character "Calliope Garland"? What aspects of her character do you relate to most?
I wanted a character who was the polar opposite of her love interest Miller "Tox" Buchanan who is possessive and regimented. I started with this image of a woman who is so in the moment that she gets lost on her morning run chasing a butterfly. She's not based on any specific person, but I really felt like I knew this character from the moment I started writing.
What are some hard lessons you've learnt about the book industry as an author? Is there a dark side to this industry that not many people discuss?
I wouldn't say a dark side, no. There are definitely disreputable people, and I have learned the hard way which promotion sites and editors are worth the investment. I think the hardest lesson is that you really have to want to write because you love it. Like an actor moving to Hollywood with dreams of being the next Brad Pitt or Reese Witherspoon, you learn pretty quickly that those crazy success stories are very rare. Amazon currently has over eight million books available. I never entertain notions of fame or the best-seller list; I just focus on how lucky I am to be able to write for a living.
How long does it usually take you to finish writing a chapter?
Usually a day. Sometimes an hour. I write really fast, and if the idea for how a scene plays out is in my head, it takes no time to get it on the page. But, that's a big "if."
What do you miss the most about Princeton University?
My friends. I absolutely loved my time at Princeton; it's an amazing school. The things I treasure the most, however, are the seven remarkable women who have remained lifelong friends.
Do you have any dreams or aspirations that you have yet to accomplish? If so, what are they?
I'd love to adapt my books for film. I'm actually in the process of pitching another TV show, so I'd be jazzed to sell it. I'd also like to get my dog to stop peeing in this one corner of my house. Dream big!
How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?
Unlimited. I'm working on the fourth book now and it's a slight departure from the first three. The protagonist Finn McIntyre is a physically scarred and deeply damaged man who runs away to a small town in West Virginia that may or may not be haunted.
When did you first join AllAuthor and did you join as a free or pro-member first? What are your thoughts on this website?
I joined several months ago as a pro-member. The pro membership package was appealing to me from the start. I am constantly impressed with the services. I get emails letting me know when I have new followers and when they have Tweeted about my books. AllAuthor also sends mock-ups for banner and social media ads. Everything the site does is helpful without any extraneous stuff or pushy upselling. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!
