What were some of your aims and aspirations growing up?
To make a difference in the world has always been my core belief. As a teen, it got a bit wild, with protesting for different things, starting with being able to wear pants as a girl to school, then there was the bra burning incident that ended with a suspension, I then moved on to women’s rights and so on. From there I spent 45 years working in nonprofit organizations. Yes, I do still protest when needed.
What did your family think when you decided you wanted to be a writer?
Well, that is a two-fold question. I was forced into an early retirement, and then found Pinterest. First, they were overjoyed not to find me sobbing on the deck painting rocks and contemplating life any longer. When I told them I was now going to be an author, they considered in patient therapy for me. Now they are just happy I am busy again. They think I have a new hobby.
What developed your passion for storytelling? Who is your favorite writer?
I spent decades writing grants and telling stories. That fateful morning when I dried my tears and I decided I was going to become an author, it was like a tsunami coming through the yard. The stories just started to flow.
My favorite author is Nelson DeMille.
Who has been the most supportive of your writing career?
My sisters. They both read my chapters telling me what they like or don’t like. They are always supportive even when giving constructive feedback.
Do you have any quirky writing habits or rituals?
I am quirky to begin with. Character building is a science to me. I cut out obituaries from Sunday newspapers and keep them in a book. When I need a new character, I go through my obituaries. I combine names, characteristics, sometimes pictures for character descriptions. It is amazing what life obituaries can bring to your characters. For example, one man’s family included he loved Moose Beer. I had to research that one. One woman was a healer, who developed into Willie Mae Gordon from in the Cold Case Chronicles.
Do you think Macy's story of betrayal from Unleashed Betrayal, is a common one? What were some emotions running through your head when you wrote this book?
The story behind Macy is the strength of a woman to keep her family’s legacy moving forward, while being betrayed not only in business but personally as well, which is a common strategy that is happening more and more each day. When writing out this story line, I wanted to show the strength Macy had in family values, while at the same time being betrayed by someone who was only interested in their own personal gain. Even through heart break, she persisted.
How many books do you plan to write in The Cold Case Chronicles crime thriller series?
I have a plan for six more books, bringing the total to 12 in all.
Is it harder to write from the point of view of the opposite sex? Is there anyone from the opposite sex whose opinions you ask while writing such a character?
I sometimes find it harder. My solution is to find a gentleman and ask a random question that relates to my story somehow and gage their reaction or listen carefully to their response.
What is the best thing about living in the woods? If you had a chance to live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?
The ability to connect with nature and ground myself. During the summer’s I write on my back deck. It is surrounded by trees with a lake behind them where you often hear the loons singing, especially in the morning and at dusk. It also helps with writer’s block, if I am working out a scene, or just stuck someplace in my writing, going outside and putzing around in the flower beds or spending time on the swing, or taking a walk often clears the mind.
If I had a chance to live anywhere else in the world? That would be in the mountains in Utah. I like solitude.
What inspires you? Inversely, what is one thing that always demotivates you?
Waking up each morning gives me inspiration. A new day, a new idea, or a new thought. I start each day journaling and writing a gratitude. That alone gets my creativity flowing for the day. What demotivates me? Turning on the television. I don’t watch TV during the day, I prefer quiet background music.
Do you prefer going to the library/bookstore to purchase your books or do you just prefer to download books onto your kindle/computer/phone?
I am a kindle girl. I close each day with reading for at least an hour or two.
Have you ever collaborated with other authors? Yes, my writers group puts together a anthology of short stories each year, as a fundraiser for the group.
Who is one author you would love to collaborate and write a book with? LT Ryan. I love his Rachel Hatch series.
What is your biggest regret as a writer? Not starting it sooner. It has been quite the learning curve.
What are you currently working on? I am working on a new series. The Whispering Cove Mysteries. I just published the first novella, Death by Ink and have just started the second book, The Missing Amulet.
Lastly, how would you rate your experience with AllAuthor? Will you be recommending this platform to your author friends?
I have enjoyed my experience with AllAuthor. Their weekly emails are awesome and always include a mockup banner which is useful in my social media. The services they offer are amazing. I always refer my author friends to investigate AllAuthor.
