How much time have you spent in Scotland?
I’m originally Scottish, meaning I grew up on the West Coast, and still have a British passport. Outside of pandemic times, I try to see my family at least once a year, most often for family celebrations, like weddings—complete with lots of kilts!
At what age did you write your first book? Did it get published?
Unless you count poems as a kid (smile), my first novel, THE EXIT STRATEGY, was published in my late forties, in summer 2020.
What finally motivated you to quit your job in San Francisco and start writing novels?
I was inspired by the specific story I wanted to tell; about the power of female friendship. If I didn’t take a break from tech world, I knew I'd never write it. Now, I’m glad I took time away, because becoming an author is significantly more enriching.
How has women's fiction changed over the last ten and twenty years?
Such a great question! It’s so interesting, when 80% of fiction is read by women, that we would even have a specific genre called this.
In my opinion, it’s because topics such as domestic drama, sibling relationships, and friendships among women have traditionally being looked on with a level of disdain. The women’s fiction category means readers can find those books, without them being viewed as less important.
But categories have also morphed over time. If you look at chick lit, for example, that was such a popular term a decade ago, yet similar books now are often categorized as rom-com or women’s fiction. And increasingly we benefit from the exploration of deeper topics, like mental health, for example.
How has been your experience of being a tech insider?
It’s not a co-incidence that in my novel, I focus on how female friendships can uplift us. My experience in tech was that it's still fairly testosterone-driven but also the few women in the building banded together.
Who inspired the character of Silicon Valley investor Ryn Brennan in "The Exit Strategy"?
Ryn is a mix of several powerful women executives I’ve worked with, who’ve succeeded despite the not always female-friendly environment.
What is the most important thing to remember while writing a story?
In writing your first draft, seek ways to calm your analytical mind, and let the words written without judgement. From there, find your community to support you on the rest of the journey.
In what ways do you try to better understand the craft of writing?
I’ve spent a lot of time studying writing craft in the last years. For me, getting emotion on the page, body-language, and how to keep the reader engaged and flipping pages, continue to be areas where I want to build on my strengths, and learn from other writers.
What is the one thing you wish you knew before you started your writing journey?
In the early days, I wish I didn't read 30+ craft books! Instead, it’s better to focus on finding your voice and learning through the act of writing.
What do you actually want to convey to your readers writing about women's fiction?
I wanted to share a tale of how even the worst can be survived, and friendships can help get you through.
Having visited fifty plus countries, what travel experience took you the most out of your comfort zone?
Gosh, every place I have lived has taught me so much. Our five months in Cartagena, Colombia comes to mind, in that it broke with many of the stereotypes I’d heard and believed about Colombia as a country. The people we met there were gracious, welcoming, and felt safe and cared for.
How did joining Women’s Fiction Writers Association help you in writing your first book?
In my book’s acknowledgements I share how every step of my journey from learning the craft of writing and editing, to finding my path to publication, to learning how to interact and appreciate readers was guided by what I learned from other women’s fiction writers, mostly through WFWA.
Is the idea of being a "digital nomad" overrated?
Well, it’s not too practical in Covid times (smile). But it’s a lifestyle I can recommend, so long as you don’t move around too frequently. You need enough time to get to know a location and a culture.
Are you noticing fewer hummingbirds than in years past?
Ah, you must have read my blog post where I explain that hummingbirds are my spirit animal. Where I am located now in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, I haven’t personally noticed fewer birds or monarch butterflies. But I know that climate change is threatening both, which is so sad.
How has your experience of being associated with AllAuthor been?
It’s been fun to see AllAuthor sharing my content via Twitter, and readers engaging on the site!
