What were your childhood dreams? Did you always want to be a writer?
Music, nature, and reading were my passions as a child. As an introvert I found them perfect vehicles for escape from people. Writing became a natural extension of this as I became older.
Who was the first person you shared your first-ever story with?
My husband, illustrator of my debut novel.
Do you remember the first story you read and its impact on you?
Not the first one, but one that impacted me deeply was The Secret Garden.
What motivated you to start writing children's books?
I was a middle grade teacher for 25 years and knew the impact a book could have on that age group. I wanted to provide a story that addressed the worries they were facing with climate change.
How did you develop the story of your book, "Terracolina"?
The magical plants in the story all were embellishments of the plants in my own beloved flower garden. The main character and several of the magical characters represented characteristics of my father whom I admired. The story came from my own challenges straddling the line between reality and my own imagination.
What steps do you take when you write a novel?
I create a general story arc then plan out each scene with cards similar to the method recommended in Story Genius by Lisa Cron
Is the character of Thomas based on someone you know?
Yes, my father. He was a deeply inquisitive, intelligent and nature-loving man whose curiosity, drive and integrity led him to make major contributions in the world of science.
What did being an author mean to you as a child? What does it mean to you now?
As a child, I revered the authors whose books I read. I believed them to be wise and knowledgeable. Now an author, I know that all that I write comes from my own life experience and not some deep wisdom. My wisdom as an author, if one calls it that, is contained in my ability and interest in connecting with readers who find relevancy in what I understand and can share.
What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?
I am a devoted cellist but prefer not to perform professionally.
What is the best experience you had by putting yourself out of your comfort zone?
I was stunned by the wonderful reviews I got of my debut novel.
What is your creative process like? How does an idea in your head become a novel?
Ideas need time to gel but often take leaps forward when triggered by a random event or experience. The process takes patience, vigilance, and a receptive attitude.
How does one write a good novel? Which steps does one need to take to write a good book?
Keep at it. Learn from others. Get feedback. Rewrite and rewrite.
What makes you different from 99% of the population? And why?
Simply put, each of us are unique. Our life experiences make it so.
What are some of your plans for the future? Are you working on a new project at the moment?
Currently almost ready to publish book 2 of my Terracolina trilogy. Then on to book 3.
When were you first introduced to AllAuthor and how?
I heard about it in a Facebook writers group.
