What was your dream career when you were a child?
I wanted to be a veterinarian. Then I realized that I didn’t have the stomach to operate on animals.
How were you first introduced to writing?
It was a natural outgrowth of reading. I read a lot at a young age, and like most kids, I had no preconception that I couldn’t write. So I did.
How do you learn to write a novel? How do you get started? Is there a format or a set of rules and procedures to follow?
I think everyone learns differently, but the most important thing any writer can do is to read a lot. There are things you will learn from reading that you can’t learn from studying rules or following formats. I generally follow the Modern Language Association (MLA)’s style guide for formatting, but I don’t follow any specific procedure.
I start with an idea for a story I want to tell. I don’t plan the plot out in detail, but I know the direction I want it to go and the main points I want it to hit along the way. I fully develop the story’s main characters so that I know exactly what the characters would do and how they would react in any given situation. With that done, it’s the characters who drive the details of the plot.
How did you get started with writing your first novel?
There was no special recipe. I was excited about the idea for the story and I just started writing.
Do your book ideas usually start with the characters, story/plot, historical events, or something else?
I start with an idea for a story, then develop the characters before I decide on the details of the story.
Your thoughts on conventional vs. self-publishing? What route did you choose and why?
I self-publish because most publishing houses do not accept erotica submissions.
How much of the original idea survive when you start writing the novel, "Passion...Or Prey?" to the finished book?
Nearly all of it. There were plenty of additional ideas that were added as I wrote it, but very little was abandoned.
When writing a novel, do you go beginning to end or skip around?
I usually write straight through, but if I’m stuck, I might skip a scene and come back to it later.
How did you come up with the character of Jason in Reclaiming His Rights?
Jason’s character was dictated by Cara’s character because he is her counterbalance. Cara is the character who inspired the story. She is wild and impulsive. That’s why I wrote Jason as regimented and controlled—at least until he is pushed beyond a certain point. But, like most couples, they also have a lot in common. They’re both creative and prone to strong emotions.
As a writer, do you recommend turning off grammar correction on your first draft to keep your flow of thought moving seamlessly?
I think it depends on the writer. I don’t turn it off. Fixing grammatical errors isn’t something that takes a lot of thought. It’s automatic, like realizing you misspelled a word and fixing it.
What was the shortest amount of time that it took you to write a book?
About a month, I think.
Which novel changed your life? Was there a particular passage that sparked it?
“Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement.” J.R.R. Tolkien, Fellowship of the Ring
If you could live out the life and story line of one character in the Harry Potter series, who would you pick and why?
I wouldn’t enjoy living the life of any of those characters. Like characters in most such stories, they live through a series of terrifying events that repeatedly threaten their lives, their emotional wellbeing, and everyone they cara about. The drama and conflict that makes stories like that compelling is not very compatible with an enjoyable life.
What are your plans for the future as a writer? Are you working on anything new?
I have a several erotic fiction novels planned or in progress. I’m also giving a lot of thought to writing a mystery.
How were you first introduced to AllAuthor? Do you have any feedback?
I don’t remember how I came across AllAuthor. I think it is a good value compared to other promotional services, and the AllAuthor team is accessible and responsive.
