What is your earliest childhood memory?
Playing with our childhood dog, a collie named Bobo.
Have you always wanted to be a writer? What was the first story you ever wrote?
In truth, no, I didn't always want to be a writer. I wrote a little in high school for fun, and my first story was about a family of dust bunnies come to life and offer their observations about the home they lived in.
What motivated you to start writing science fiction?
The love of the genre.
What was your dream job when you were a child?
Hollywood stuntwoman.
Who was the first reader that reached out to you? What did they say and how did you respond?
A fellow writer that offered praise as well as critique. I responded by making a better story.
Tell us a little about your book covers and how you go about creating them. Do you place a little or a lot of importance on your book covers?
I approached several book cover and editing businesses and artists and sent them my ideas. I picked the one that most closely represented the idea that I had. Book covers are of vital importance, as it is the first view of a book! As much care as I took in the story's making, the cover should look that just as much care was taken as the story itself.
Do you believe that every person is a reader and that some just haven’t found the right book?
No, not every person is a reader, for multitudes of reasons.
What was the most challenging thing while writing Falling Leaf.
The editing process, by far.
Do you prefer writing standalone books or series? What are your plans for the future as a writer?
I prefer series. My stories cannot be told in a single book.
What advice would you like to give writers who are struggling with their first novels?
Struggling is part of the process. Just write. It doesn't matter if you write a page a day or 10, just write. You can always go back and fix something in a story.
Do all your stories have happy endings? Do you think you'll ever write a book with a sad ending, just to mix things up?
No, not all stories have happy endings. Life doesn't always have happy endings.
Do you prefer planning everything out and then writing your books or do you just start and see where it takes you?
Sometimes, even planned-out stories can take on a life of their own. So, what is one book whose plot really surprised you and really took on its own twist? All of my stories have outlines, flowcharts, and brainstorm diagrams. Nicholas Sparks books continue to surprise me with plots and twists.
Do you have a strategy for finding reviewers? What is the best review you've ever received, to date?
I can't force people to read and review, so it's difficult to formulate a strategy. Aside from editing, it's the most challenging aspect of writing. The best review I've ever said, "The instances of magic, adventure and romance are well-written."
What is the sweetest fan-mail that you have ever received?
I've yet to recieve fan mail, but rest assured that if that ever happens, I'll treasure each and every one. To know that someone enjoyed my story so much that they took valuable time out of their lives to let me know is better than any sale.
How has your experience of being associated with AllAuthor been?
Fantastic, in all aspects.
