What inspired you to start writing, and how has living in the forests of Texas influenced your work?
I feel very blessed to live in a rural area, on the edge of a huge forest. Having grown up in this area, I’ve trapsed through the woods since I could walk. I adore the rolling hills and creeks and the trees of all ages. It was in that backdrop that I started imagining what stories could exist in hidden places in the woods, or in ages past before anyone kept written records.
I’ve read a bit on Irish and Welsh mythology, so those stories, names, and imaginary creatures kind of merged with the landscapes here that I love – and these stories were born.
Describe your typical writing day. How do you balance writing with family life and other responsibilities?
Unfortunately (or fortunately?), I don’t have very many typical days. If I can, I try to write 1000-2000 words per day. I prefer blocks of uninterrupted time, which tend to be at night for me.
Your bio mentions a love for West Texas and the Pacific Northwest. How have these regions shaped your storytelling?
That’s a great question! Those two places are wonderful and completely opposite in their landscapes. Ultimately, West Texas might play a role in the completion of this series. I plan to write at least one book about travelers who are stranded in the PNW during an apocalyptic event, so that will be fun. I love both of those parts of the country, and I hope to continue getting to travel to each every few years.
What recurring themes or messages do you explore in your writing?
I love the theme of Providence and I hope that is expressed in these books. I like the idea that our free will and what we do with it is all part of a larger story being played out in ways that we can’t even comprehend right now.
How does living close to nature impact the stories you tell and the way you tell them?
I’m blessed to live close to the land, and I spend several hours each week in the woods. I find it incredibly peaceful, and it does stir creativity. I observe nature and imagine what it would be like to live there if you were no more than one inch tall…
Does your experience with gardening provide metaphors or lessons that appear in your writing?
I think it does. We do always grow a garden here, and I am a big fan of foraging wild edible plants. I did include foraging and what little I know about that into the tixie diet.
Which of your works is your favorite, and why?
I love the fourth book, The Lost City. I like them all, but that one made me cry as I wrote part of it.
What are the biggest challenges you face as a writer, and how do you overcome them?
Lately, it’s been trying to avoid overwhelming a story with too many plot devices. I remind myself that less is more when it comes to some of that stuff. As an aside, my son and I have been watching the Pitch Meeting Youtube channel. This channel uses comedy to point out plot holes, tropes, and other problems with modern movies. It’s lots of fun, and it helps me as a writer to avoid those things in books.
You mentioned you’d like to write more. What steps are you taking to make that happen?
I think setting a word count goal each day and making that happen, even if it isn’t optimal conditions, is a goal I have in 2025.
Avelyn’s discovery of the ancient sword seems pivotal to the story in "The Vultures of Doom." What themes or messages are you exploring through this element of the plot and the characters’ journeys?
I like the idea that all of us being part of a larger story that’s playing out all around us. I think Avelyn’s journey is one of growing up and realizing her place in the world and, over the next couple of books, realizing what she was born to do.
The concept of fire-breathing ants is both imaginative and intense. What inspired this unique adversary, and how does it reflect the themes of "The Ants of Fire"?
I grew up getting bitten on occasion by the fire ants that we have here in the southern U.S. I hate the things – they’re invasive, harm native animals, and their bite hurts and itches at the same time. We call them fire ants, so I went from there to ants of fire ?
Children's literature often carries underlying messages or lessons. What do you hope young readers will take away from "The Keeper of Knowledge"?
The main message of that book, I think, is that the history of how we got here matters. There is a greater story at play, and whether that’s a personal history, family history, or national history, it matters because that’s how we came to be here. And then we write our own story with our own lives.
How do you balance incorporating personal experiences with fictional elements in your stories?
I think it was John R. Erickson, the author of the Hank the Cowdog books, who said something along the lines of “Write, but then go out an experience and observe the world.” I had the opportunity to meet him and visit with him a few years ago. I think that authors have a responsibility to live life and observe people and weave that into their creative worlds. I know that I do that, and there are characters in these books that are for sure influenced by real life people I know well.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are just starting their journey?
Read good books, read poetry, and write all you can! That’s the best advice I’ve received. Poetry of all kinds is good because it shows you how to play with words.
What has your AllAuthor experience been like so far? What are some highlights?
I think that all authors should have an AllAuthor account. It’s a great website that gives you a chance to connect with readers. I appreciate the promotion opportunities through AllAuthor. I also like the mockup generator and the tweet scheduler.
