Do you ever take inspiration from your childhood days for your writing?
Sometimes. I had quite an imagination as a child and that imagination is still active today.
Who is the most supportive person in your life when it comes to your writing?
My mother. But she passed in April 2018 followed by my father six months later. The grief is apparent in the books following their transition. My husband supports me too.
How did you fall in love with writing fiction?
I own an ad agency. I was working sixty hours a week for my clients and caregiving for my parents. September 2014, I chose to downsize my agency. I use it exclusively to publish my books. I wrote my first page the day I gave my largest client my resignation letter. Writing at first was ugly and random, chopping heads left and right, but during the fray of life, I found my voice. I trust my love of writing will last until I move onto my next adventure.
What is the role of a broadcast consultant?
After graduating college I tried a couple different jobs until I landed my position at WKRN in Nashville. To thrive in their marketing environment I chose to develop projects like Discover Rutherford County, and a Moment with Santa vignettes, etc. I used my creativity to tell their story and the stories of other clients. I honed my skills of telling a story in thirty or sixty seconds and opened Jones Media in 1998.
What do you like about the scary tales about vampires, werewolves, angels, demons, and witches?
I like stories of redemption. Iris, The Witches of Hant Hollow, for most of the trilogy, is fairly wicked. Her love for her family propels her to do what she perceives as the right path. Many bumps along the way, and the loss of a loved one, helps Iris to succeed.
How much time did it take you to finish your first book?
Nine months.
How did you come up with the idea for your book, The Witches of Hant Hollow 2: Gate Keepers?
Hant Hollow is a real place, and close to where I grew up. The local folklore around the area, plus the story about witches burned in a local cemetery gave me the incentive to write the books.
Do you need to know how a novel ends before you begin writing it?
No. I never know the end. I have a basic idea that good triumphs over evil and each story always ends with Happily Ever After.
What are your hobbies apart from writing?
I love music concerts, and attending Tennessee Titans football games.
What is the one piece of advice you would like to give to young writers in the world?
When you pour your heart and soul into a book, don’t cut corners with your cover, hire a professional. Your covers represent your brand.
What is one question you wish you would get asked more?
Marketing a book takes time, and that evolves. If you don’t have the funds to market then join book venues that promote your genre like yours. What would be your answer? Grow your newsletter subscribers. Any business is a numbers game, the more people that see your books, the higher chance of a sale.
What is the most ideal ambiance for you to write in?
I have a writing hole. I grab a coffee and settle in. I turn off all devices.
If you could improve one thing about your writing, what would it be and why?
I write good dialogue. I write fast paced books. I am working on developing better descriptions.
What are your plans for the future as a writer? Are you working on anything new?
I have two projects.
The manuscript in progress is a time travel romance. The other is a non fiction book about caregiving.
How has your experience with AllAuthor been?
Very good.
