Your stories are described as “strange, haunting, and real.” How do you strike that balance between realism and the uncanny?
It seems to me that much of life is rather uncanny but most of the time people are too entrenched and staring at their phones to notice. I think of it like a smell, when you are around it all the time, you go nose blind because it is your everyday reality. It’s only when you leave for a while and come back, you realize it’s there. That’s what I like to do with my writing, pretend I’m stepping into the scene, and I can smell what’s going on under the surface. Then I lean into whatever that is to create a real sense of unease that you can’t quite put your finger on.
How has living in the American South shaped your storytelling, especially your depiction of people and place?
The American South is a fascinating place, that’s shaped by the weather, landscape, and history. I grew up in the suburbs of Seattle, so coming to the south for the first time in my late teens to visit some friends was exciting. Almost like visiting a foreign country. I fell in love with the region and later moved back with my spouse. I’ve spent much of my adult life living in the south.
Your writing often feels atmospheric and emotionally charged. Do you start with mood, character, or plot?
It just depends on what I’m writing. If I’m working on a novel, usually the plot/idea of the story is floating around in my head. I try to flesh it out in an outline and sleep on it and tinker around with it for a while. During that process, I develop the characters and work on who they are and what motivates them. If I’m writing a short story, many times the timeline is shorter and I have a purpose for those stories, maybe a magazine or anthology I want to submit to. So those tend to be more mood driven or directed toward a specific audience.
Winning the Florida Book Awards and the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People is a huge achievement—how did those recognitions impact you creatively?
Well, first, I’d like to say what an honor it is anytime one of my books or short stories wins an award. I never expect it, so when it happens it’s a lovely surprise. And it’s a reminder that something I’m doing creatively is working. So I would say that it encourages me to keep writing.
Can you describe your writing process from idea to finished story?
My writing process changes depending on what I’m working on. But for the most part, I like to outline the story first. The outline can range in size from a few pages up to thirty. I generally have 3 documents open when I’m working. I have the outline, the draft, and a cut/work sheet where I can write scenes off page. Sometimes I have to understand a character by making them do something that never makes the book. There can be a fourth document open, a spreadsheet for tracking word count, important dates in the piece, or other items that I need to remember chronologically. I like to edit as I write. Then I print a complete draft at the end and I use pen and highlighter to hand edit a copy before final edits.
You’ve been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and recognized in the Writers of the Future Contest—how have these milestones influenced your confidence or direction as a writer?
Again, I never expect to earn accolades for my writing. Sure, I like to enter contests or put my work out there for these sorts of things, but that’s mostly so that I can feel like I’m doing something with my stories and they aren’t just sitting around collecting dust. It’s such an honor to see my work resonate with readers and judges. Very motivating.
Your work has appeared in a variety of literary publications. Do you write differently depending on the publication or stay true to a single voice?
I like to experiment with voice and style, which I find has helped me to earn spots in so many literary publications. I tend to read their other works, follow along for a while to see what their open calls look like, then when one speaks to me, I try to write something that I think would fit. It becomes a puzzle to solve and lets me stretch my writing wings.
What role does memory—personal or collective—play in your storytelling?
Oh, well, there is a reason they say ‘Write what you know’. Even in fiction, when we infuse a little of our own truth, it makes the story more authentic and believable.
Are there particular authors or traditions that have influenced your style?
I grew up in the 80’s/90’s reading Ramona, Baby-Sitters Club, Sweet Valley Twins/High, Redwall, Goosebumps, and all the classics. As I got older I was heavily into fantasy novels. As an adult I have a wide taste and also try to read and support my author friends. I think that any time you read something new, it can become an influence.
How do you build such vivid settings that feel almost like characters themselves?
Well, my latest book BLACK WATER BONES is set in the Florida Everglades. I don’t live very far from the Everglades, and I like to visit and spend time outdoors. So I guess I just infuse all that into my story telling, hoping that whoever is reading it can close their eyes and imagine it for themselves. As if they are there in an airboat with me.
What are you currently working on, and how does it expand or differ from your previous work?
I’m currently working on the next book in the BROKEN VOWS series. It has been fun writing a thriller series. There aren’t that many of them out there, but we’ve had such a great response on the books, with many fans asking for updates on the main characters it felt fitting to continue writing stories about them.
How has been your experience of working with AllAuthor?
I am a huge fan of AllAuthor! The features are great, I love that my books have made it into the cover contests, and my profile is easy to use and update when I have a new book that comes out. Not to mention I love the posts on social media!! They are always spot on!
