Where did you grow up and how would you describe your childhood self in a few words? How would you describe yourself now? Would you say a lot has changed?
I grew up in a small farm town in central Illinois. I was a very shy child, I liked to sit back and watch everyone else. I also loved to draw and create things. I think I am still the same person as I was when I was little. I am still shy to an extent, but just a bit more sociable. With writing now, I get to create the things I used to draw with words.
Did you ever like taking English/literature in school? What was the first thing you ever wrote and did anyone else read it besides you?
I love my English classes in high school and college. The first story I ever wrote was when I was 10 years old. It was a story about aliens, the only person to read it was my sister.
What does being an author mean to you? If you weren't an author, is there another profession you think you could excel at?
Being an author means so very much to me. First, it is my way to teach others through my words, it's a way or me to write my struggles and allow others to know they aren't alone. Honestly, I don't think I would ever excel nearly as well with any other profession as I do with being an author.
Random question: what is your favourite room in a house and what do you think that says about your personality?
The kitchen is my favorite room in the house. It's typically the center of every home and it's a place everyone can gather. It's a place that allows me to watch and never miss a beat.
Describe your experiences collaborating and writing "Timeless Ever After" with other authors? What is an important lesson you learned from this and which author(s) would you love to write with again?
This was an amazing experience. Every other brought something different to the table and it was especially great learning different ways of doing things in the self publishing world. I would love to write with them all again, honestly. Each author is fresh with their voice and it's inspiring.
What inspired the story behind "Copperfield Lane"? Are a lot of your stories based on true events or made up ones?
What inspired Copperfield Lane? A lot of things. Life, I suppose being the most proficient answer. If you are in a relationship or a marriage, you can understand the rough patches that some couples go through. I wanted to bring those to the surface, I wanted to provide comfort that it doesn't always have to end. Most of my books have some aspect of real life in them. I just add enough twists and turns to make it fiction.
In what ways do you relate to Selena and Law (Copperfield Lane) and their love story?
I relate them because I've been there. I've been Selena where she doesn't feel like she's moving in life anymore. I've also been Lawson where I know what is happening but I don't want to face it. But the love those two have is something that comes from my heart, because I too have that. So to answer the question, I relate in many ways to them.
When do you usually think up new ideas for books? What are some tricks you have for keeping your stories creative and not forgetting the good ideas?
When I'm doing dishes is usually when all my ideas come flooding to me. I typically zone out when I am standing there washing plate after plate and live in my fictional world for a while. Then when I am done I go to my notebook and write down what just happened. That makes it stay more alive for me and allows me not to forget the good stuff. I also have pieces of scarp paper all over with ideas or songs that sparked a certain feeling in me.
Which book of yours did you have the most fun writing? What was a memorable experience you had writing The Tactical Men series?
I had the most fun writing Copperfield Lane. It was something that was brand new and different than anything else I had ever written. The most memorable experience for writing my Tactical Men series was the bedroom scene with Rori and Jenna in A Dance Worth Dancing, that is one scene that still makes me giggle to this day.
Do you ever reread or edit or go through your stories once you're done with them? In what ways does an editor help and how valuable is a good editor?
I read them at least three more times before I send it to my editor. My first read through is where I do a lot of my structural edits. With that though, I am not an editor, so with having my editor-who is amazing, I might add-- read through it just as many times as I do on her own is so valuable to the work. As an author, I want the best product I can have out there. Typically it takes a month all said and done for a book of mine to be done with the editing stage. I'm okay with that type of thoroughness.
Is there anything you edited out of the book ""? Have you ever erased an entire character because they didn't fit with the flow of the book?
I've deleted a lot throughout all of my books. With The Sacred Truth I deleted whole chapters. The book took a different direction and resulted in me writing it over three times. However, I have never deleted a character.
What is something you achieved in the year 2017 that you're especially proud of?
One thing I am proud of is progressively gaining more readers. I think in a way we are all still learning in this author world, so when I learn new things and start implementing them into my own business and seeing progress, that excites me.
What is a career dream for you? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A career dream of mine is to become a little more established with being an author. I'd like to gain a lasting audience. I see myself in 10 years doing what I do now, but with more knowledge.
