Where did you spend most of your childhood? Did you always want to be an author?
I grew up in Douglasville, GA, and always loved being creative. Never was big on going out; I'd spend days reading, writing, drawing, or trying to sew or invent something. Writing was always a love and probably the earliest thing I aspired to, and definitely the only one that stuck (I used to think I wanted to work construction, be an OBGYN, a professional basketball player, a chef...all kinds of stuff. lol)
Why is writing romance novels important to you? Why did you choose this genre?
Romance is the only genre I've been really into. I've dabbled in others and still enjoy them at times, but Romance will always be where it's at for me. I love creating happy endings; writing the kind of romances that make people say 'I wish I had that.' Plus, I've been told I'm a sap.
In life, who has been your biggest inspiration as an author? What are some ways in which you try and be an inspiration to others?
There's no one person I could name as my biggest inspiration. When I was younger, I was all about The Babysitter's Club series and I recall trying to create my own series. When I got older, E. Lynn Harris is the first author I can name that really kept my fire going, as far as wanting to make a mark like he did.
Who inspired the character of Tarin in "Always and Nevers?
The idea for Tarin popped into my head years ago; she's not modeled after anyone in particular, but I just imagined a woman who didn't have her head in the clouds when it came to love, thanks to seeing nothing but unsuccessful relationships around her. (Fun fact: she was originally named Tess, but I ended up using that name in another project first).
What kind of research did you do, and how long did you spend researching before beginning the book, "Split By the Bell?"
The main research I did for SBTB involved things about the characters' professions, namely Desiree and Lovey's. That part took a couple of days, maybe, if that.
How do you ensure that all the readers, from young to old, enjoy reading your books?
I'm not sure there is a way to ensure that, really...I certainly do my best to write entertaining, funny, thought-provoking characters and storylines. I pour myself into my writing and hopefully people will sense that and enjoy it, too, if they're open to that.
How do you think social media platforms like Instagram help you to reach a wider audience?
With a few shares, my posts can be around the world in minutes. That kind of reach wasn't possible before social media.
How much do you think you have grown as a writer since your first book?
Oh, immensely. When I look at my first book "Some Like 'em Thick", I can definitely see the growth from then to now. I've always believed the best teacher when it comes to writing is writing and reading, and I do a lot of both.
When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie?
Umm...
What was your hardest scene to write in "Emasculated?" Do you believe in second chance romance?
The hardest scene to write in "Emasculated" was the one with Nia at the C.O.D. video shoot. I tried to find a balance of empathy and audacity. As far as second chance romance, I absolutely believe in it. Sometimes people are right for each other but the timing isn't.
What is your writing dream? How close do you think you are to achieving it?
My writing dream is to have a loyal following of readers that anticipate my releases and snatch them up as soon as they're out, and spreads the word about them. I want my main profession to be writing and to see my books acted out on screen. I'm not anywhere near that now but...hopefully one day.
What makes your characters real to you? Do you ever find yourself forgetting sometimes that they aren't real people?
Giving them flaws makes them real and relatable. I always try not to make my characters 'perfect' because that's just not reality. I look forward to that point when I'm writing the first draft that I feel that click in my mind and the characters become people to me. I never really forget that they aren't real but I tend to think of them as they are.
Do you have a certain writing routine you adhere to daily?
My writing routine is to get it in when I can, which is usually late at night.
Are there any stories you're working on that you want to share with the world in the near future?
I'm currently working on a friends-to-lovers romance, and some free reads I'm planning to add to my website.
How did you first learn about AllAuthor? In what ways has this website helped you as a writer?
I heard about AllAuthor from a fellow author on Twitter; I was always seeing their posts with the AllAuthor URL at the bottom so I decided to check it out. It's certainly been a cool element in promotion.
