Born and raised in Connecticut, which is your favorite childhood memory?
I have a lot of them. The best was probably going to the beach. We lived on the shoreline, so I grew up doing that a lot. The summers there were the best. My father would drag us to the beach in the middle of winter too and make us get out of the car. I always hate going then though.
What inspired your first original story? Did you share the tale with anyone?
A lot of things inspired Enlightened. I have been cooking that one up in my head my whole life. I never told anyone about it though.
Why did you choose to write in the paranormal romance genre?
I chose to write Enlightened and that seems to be the only category it fits in. I’m always worried it doesn’t quite fit there.
When and why did you decide to drive a school bus in the afternoons?
I started driving a school bus in 2003 when my kids were little. So as long as you have the license you have a job. I left this job for a fulltime job but stayed on as a spare. In the school bus industry, a spare is used pretty much daily. There are never enough people.
How has been your experience of being a lead dispatcher for a public transit company?
Great. At times chaos. Looney. I do find the challenges are rewarding in some ways. Especially when I have minutes to figure out getting a route covered. I have found I’m good under pressure and thrive in chaotic environments.
What do you love the most about the book industry?
Playing in my imagination to the point where my characters become real. Well, real to me.
What inspired the story of your book, Enlightened?
My whole life did. I had that story in my head since I was a little kid. It evolved over time to what it is now.
How did you come up with the character of Veronica in "Awakened"?
Veronica is Harmony during one lifetime she was here on Earth. In the Enlightened series the afterlife is more like, the before. She is Harmony when she is in the Hereafter but when she comes to Earth she lives different lives.
What inspired your first original story? Did you share the tale with anyone?
The Enlightened series is my first story. I told people I wanted to be a writer but I never told them about Enlightened, or the story that was in my head all the time.
What are some things that haven't been done in the romance genre that you hope to introduce through your books?
I’m not sure. This question makes me wonder, if any writer did have an answer to this would they share it this way or bring it to life by just writing it? I do know the path I would take here.
Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?
Oh my word, totally allow it. Feel everything your characters are going through along their journey and put it into your story. The more you do this the better you will feel yourself.
How important do you think book covers are? Who usually designs your book covers?
Your book cover is the first thing a reader sees before deciding to read your book. It is crucial to get this right. I found an excellent artist from Russia to design all three covers for the Enlightened series. He’s quite excellent.
Which is the next book you are working on? Is it a series or a stand-alone book?
I’m working on another fantasy story. I won’t know for a while if it’ll be a series or a stand alone yet.
Did you miss spending time with your friends during self-quarantine?
My job as a dispatcher at a public transit company is considered essential. So, the only quarantine I was subjected to was after my daughter and I went to get her stuff from school in a state on Connecticut’s do not travel list. I did miss working and interacting with people. I’m a very social person.
Lastly, what are your thoughts and opinions on AllAuthor and its services?
I love the services that Allauther provides. I especially like the Twitter tool and the gif making stuff. I am a novice with some of that stuff. I also like participating in the cover of the month contest as well.
