How do you think moving around a lot as a child has influenced your character and your writing today? Are you more of a California or a South Florida girl?
I think moving around a lot made me learn how to adapt to different kinds of people and environments. Call it the chameleon effect - or call it a childhood build for character creation. It's all part of the murky soup that makes us who we are.
Am I more California or South Florida? Good question. I love both for very different reasons - (northern) Cali is experimental and adventurous and South Florida is a fab mix of Latin influences with just enough New York sass to keep it interesting.
Truth is, I'm both and none of the above...I live in Vienna, Virginia, but am in between spiritual homes at the moment.
A professional matchmaker isn't exactly your run-of-the-mill kinda job. What was it like? Who were some of your most successful matches? What are some of the tricks you learned to make a great pairing?
I made great pairings BEFORE I did it for a job. I think that's because I tended to set up people I knew and liked with one another. When you have to do it as a job, well, let's just say...I sucked at it. The women were awesome and most of the men were either creepy or soooo high maintenance. I spent more time warning women off the men than making matches LOL.
That said, what makes a great match? If someone gives you a long list, forget about all that. Ask them about their parents, both good and bad - figure out their core issue - and match them with the person who 'solves' that, who's their type physically. An example...I had a friend with daddy issues. Always felt she had to take care of herself. So I matched her with a guy with a proclivity to care for others, someone who needed to be someone's 'knight in shining armor'. They're still together btw - and I have a half dozen matches (different issues though).
Your Book "Heart Breaker" tells the tale of two players falling in love instead of the typical player-falls-for-loner trope. What gave you this idea? Would you consider yourself a player?
When I was single, I never thought of myself as a 'player', but looking back, I was to an extent. I loved the flirting, the cat and mouse (to a point), and I got bored easily. But trust me, I had my heart broken plenty and those days were a long time ago. I've been happily married for over 20 years. As far as two players getting together - well, I wanted to play with those energies and I was tired of seeing a bunch of wide-eyed, awkward heroines. I get it - you're shy and inexperienced. Enough already. I wanted to explore something else. It's my favorite in that series btw.
In "Rule Breaker", your female protagonist has very strict parents. Is this something you experienced growing up? What was something about this book that made it really different and pleasant to write compared to the other books in the series?
It was my first book and feels like a long time ago! My parents were not as strict, but they definitely wanted to see me married sooner versus later. I look back now and say - what with all the pressure? I was in my mid-twenties! So I relate to that aspect of the story.
What is the best part about writing romance? Have you ever thought of dabbling with other genres?
I may write some women's fiction at some point, but honestly, I love romance. I'm totally hooked on happy endings, especially since life doesn't work out that way for so many. I consider what I do God's work...really.
Who are some of your favourite romance authors and how have they influenced your own writing? Who are some authors of other genres whose books you love to read?
Kristen Ashley was an early influence, for sure. I adore Cara McKenna, Sylvia Day, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward. I also read a lot of memoirs - of course, Mary Karr is a master storyteller, as is Augusten Burroughs.
Describe a typical day for you. And then describe what you wish a typical day would be like for you (basically, a day in your dream life).
My day usually starts early, getting the kids ready for school. Then, ideally, I start writing right away, but sometimes I have pesky things like dishes and other chores to do. Sometimes I need a nap lol. I write or do marketing for my books through the day and try to be done by the time my kids get home from school. Doesn't always happen. My dream day would be to rent a house in a bucket list location for the summer, writing, with my family and friends coming in and out.
Your book "Bind Me Before You Go" centers on themes of bondage. Is this a theme that we can expect more of in books to come? What is it about bondage, do you think, that draws so many readers in (as proven by books like Fifty Shades of Grey)?
Whatever people are in their 'real' life, they often crave the opposite in their fantasies. People wanting to be tied up are usually the ones often in control and want permission to give the reigns to someone else. I enjoyed exploring the theme for that book, but I'm moving in more of a lighter, romantic comedy direction these days. I'm not against any of those themes btw - I just think there are other writers out there who do a better job with the subject matter.
Speaking of Fifty Shades, a lot of readers nowadays tend to compartmentalise other BDSM books in the same category of Fifty Shades of Grey, saying that all Bondage and Erotica books are more or less follow the same flow or plot. What are your thoughts on this? In what ways do you think an author can make their book stand out so that it doesn't get overshadowed by bestsellers like Fifty Shades?
I think while the 'kinks' may be similar, the story lines and how their characters respond to BDSM greatly varies. It's obvious who has and has not done their homework. Honestly, I think the whole 'trend' is waning - people are looking for other themes to explore. If an author wants to shake things up in the BDSM subgenre, they are going to have to find a way to surprise people, while still tapping into the collective unconsciousness of what most people desire.
What are some important ways that you think an author can keep their passion for writing alive without letting the greed for money and fame get in the way of their love for writing?
This is a great question. Not always, but many times I will notice authors I loved with every fiber of my being start 'phoning' it in after a while. I get how this business is fast paced and the demand is insatiable. I also understand the need to pay bills and make money for one's family.
All that matters in the end is the work.
I'd rather have to wait for a favorite author to publish instead of her throwing out a shit sandwich disguised as a book out there.
I don't blame the author for wanting to make money or to satisfy the wants of their fan base. But it is up to her to set the standard and a pace that can live up to that standard. That said, romance readers and some bloggers don't always 'call out' authors for a poor book. If the book is the latest release from one of their favorite authors, that's good enough for them and they'll post about the awesomeness of the book - but privately will say how disappointed they were. That's a big bag of bullshit and you do the authors no favors with that.
Do you believe in writer's block? If so, what do you do to tackle and overcome it? If not, why?
Sure I do. It's a real thing for many authors. I think of writer's block as more of a crisis of confidence. I think that can happen once you're a 'big' author and are afraid to disappoint your fans. LOL honestly, that's not my problem yet. I'm still crawling my way up. I'll let you know if and/or when that happens for me.
What was your debut novel and how long did it take you to write? How do you think your writing process has changed since then?
I wrote Rule Breaker in a couple of months. Lovely story, but one that really could've used some more work. Now, I write a book in 2-3 months, but I am constantly editing as I go - reading out loud. I take my time, in as much as someone can in this business.
