Born and raised in The Motor City, which is your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite memory growing up was the very first snowfall. I loved the snow, especially if that meant having a snow day off from school.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? What was it about?
No, I couldn't tell you the first story I'd ever written. I never kept anything on paper from that long ago. Or rather, my parents never let me keep anything. I was a slob.
What do you love the most about Tim Hortons?
Tim Hortons reminds me of home. The part of Detroit where I grew up, they were everywhere. My best friend and I used to stop there often after dinner for an English toffee cappuccino. When I worked for a well-known automobile manufacturer, I'd pass at least two of them on my way. I'd pick up a fruit smoothie with yogurt. Whenever I travel north to home or Ohio, Timmy's is almost always one of my first stops.
What sort of cultural, spiritual, or social value do you think reading and books hold?
I think reading is very personal. It's true; there are tons of communities online that encourage discussion about books. But the people in my everyday life don't often talk about the books they've read unless prompted. Reading allows us to shut out the world and not think about our problems for a while.
Why did you choose the romance genre?
I'm enamored by the journey of two people coming together through circumstances outside of their control. It's something that speaks to my soul. Even if I write something outside of the genre, there will always be a love journey thrown in the mix. A love story doesn't always have to be cheesy. I appreciate it the most when it is authentic.
What works best for you: Typewriters, fountain pen, dictate, computer or longhand?
Computer. I make way too many mistakes for anything else. I also hold onto the pen too hard, so my hand cramps easily. I couldn't imagine writing a book in the Victorian era. I have so much respect for anyone who can write a book entirely on paper.
What inspired the story of your book, Bernadette?
I had the idea for the story over a year before I wrote it. I was sitting around, and this crazy idea popped in my head. I ended up writing a thousand-word synopsis. At the turn of 2020, I'd planned to write the second book of my Nighttime Cravings series, but Bernadette kept calling to me. I ended up deciding against the ending I'd initially plotted out, and I'm so glad I did. It is probably one of the most creative, thought-provoking love stories I've ever written.
Who inspired the character of Greer “Foxy Brown” Rice in "The Hottie in Finance"?
Greer was my soul speaking out. I relate to her on so many levels. I've seen criticism on how she's a bit immature. I believe she's real. We see her innermost thoughts being that this story is from her POV. That means we're well aware of her desires and insecurities.
I wanted to write a story about a girl who longed for someone at work; someone she thought was unattainable. Lo and behold, that person was feeling the same way about her.
What are some things that haven't been done in the writing world that you hope to introduce through your books?
What sets me apart as a writer of romantic stories is that I like to bring a side of realism with the escapism. We often read about professionals who never actually work and expect to take the story's word for it. As a reader, that stood out for me.
When I write, I may throw in a lot of professional jargon, which might irritate some readers. For me, it's so important for my characters to be believable as well as captivating.
When did you begin writing the book, On the Other Side?
I think I started writing it in April 2019, and it released September that year. I had the idea for the story when I was writing my very first book. I wasn't going to write On the Other Side, but one of my beta readers encouraged me to do it. I'd lost my mother to breast cancer two years prior, so the concept of the story meant a great deal to me. I also had a close cousin dealing with the disease. A few months before the book came out, I'd lost a very dear friend who I'd known since I was a teenager. She was at my mother's funeral just two years before.
At the end of the day, I wanted to tell a real story about love and strength. Hopefully, I did that.
How did you come up with the story of "California Love"?
It started as a short story I'd written a year prior for a fanfiction contest. When it tied for first place, I knew I wanted to expand it, then publish it. The short story was a pure summer-road-trip romance. Then I got the idea of showing what happens after summer fling is gone and the players return to their everyday lives. That ended up being the second half of the book.
What challenges did you face while writing your book, A Nocturnal Rendezvous (Nighttime Cravings)?
It was the very first book I'd ever published and the easiest I'd ever written, believe it or not. I had the unique concept on ice for over a year. A coworker told me a crazy story about her sleepwalking that blew me away. I knew I had to write a sleepwalking love story. The only challenge about writing a book like this was making sure it's plausible. So, I did lots of research on parasomnia and other sleep-related disorders.
Every art form is open to various interpretations and reviews. How do you handle any negative reviews that come your way?
Starting in fanfiction prepared me to receive criticism on my writing. I've read so much worse there then what's on Goodreads. Fanfiction helped me to grow thicker skin. I also learned how to take that criticism, constructive or otherwise, and improve my writing with the next project.
How do you feel about the rise in digital books in the recent years?
I love digital books. Being that I often travel for work (pre-pandemic), I love being able to read anything I want with just a swipe of a screen.
I have the digital boom to thank for allowing dreamers like me to bring our work to the masses. Years ago, I couldn't have imagined having one book out, much less seven. I thought I'd have to jump through so many hoops to be a published author. Not anymore.
How did you first come across AllAuthor and what made you join? What are your thoughts on the website so far?
I saw author friends share AllAuthor posts, so I decided to check out the website. I'm glad I did. I appreciate all the mockups you do, which I use for my custom posts on social media.
I look forward to seeing the platform's continued growth so that more indie's like me have the opportunity to be noticed.
