Tell us a little bit about your childhood and where you grew up.
I grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, living on both the east and west banks. While my childhood was very idyllic, I went to private school and had ballet and tumbling lessons. At one point, I got to ride in many types of exotic cars, as my father was a premier mechanic and firefighter. I was also fortunate to have a playroom, though mom would sew in it as well. While it may seem like we were wealthy, we lived in a rented duplex.
When my parents split when I was nine, life changed drastically and suddenly most of my things were packed away as we moved in with my grandparents and they relegated me to sleeping on the couch. While I was creative before, my parents split sent my mind into overdrive. I would draw an apartment on lines of notebook paper and the people on each floor had a story.
At 15, we moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, and that was a complete culture shock. Now not so much, but in New Orleans we had Mardi gras and things were a lot more hedonistic. While they have Mardi gras there now, then they didn’t, and it was pretty conservative.
What are some of the most memorable books you read as a child?
A Wrinkle in Time is the first one that comes to mind, as it was the first book after my parents split I could lose myself in. I also had a favorite Nancy Drew book called The Double Jinks Mystery. I read that one a few times. The library was always a favorite place of mine and when I entered high school; I became a member of the library club.
What first inspired you to create stories when you were still a kid?
While I have always been creative, I think my parents’ divorce and being a latchkey kid allowed my mind to run wild. Besides the notebook of drawings I had, when I’d watched a television show I’d put myself in it as a character. There were times I’d even commit it to paper.
What made you realize you wanted to be a writer?
In high school, my friend was writing what we would now call fan fiction, and I thought I can do that. So, I started my first true endeavor into writing at 16 writing about my fave band and actor. After reading Jackie Collins Rock Star, I thought I’d like to do that. As I wrote with other people as an escape, I never lost track of my characters and I realized that when I talked about writing, it was a passion. That made me realize I wanted to be a storyteller, and I’m glad I made that choice.
How many books do you plan to write in the Better To Burn Out series?
Counting the two that are already finished. I’m shooting for at least ten, but who knows. Sometimes minor characters have more of a story to tell.
How did you come up with the plot of your novel, My Daze With The Dark Muse?
I wish I could say I plotted it all out, but the truth is; I sat down and started writing a daily journal as Nigel Hartagan and somewhere in there it blossomed into a full novel.
Which one do you prefer: writing a series or standalone novel? Why?
Well, considering that my one standalone will eventually fit into the series. I guess I have to say series as I know most characters have more story than just one book.
Would you like to meet Jenn Poff in person?
I’d like to meet her but I’d love to meet Ava Richards from My Daze with the Dark Muse. Ava is a powerhouse who owns herself. Both Jenn and Ava have a journey to come into their own power, but that is the truth for most people.
How do you usually come up with character names?
What comes to me and occasionally I’ll look for a surname online. Though, looking for names for my characters’ kids has been intimidating.
Do you skip pages when you’re reading books?
No.
What are the things you keep in mind while creating the woman characters of your stories to ensure they have an edge over the others?
I give them a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. They usually start out around 18 and have to go through life events, like most of us do. Those events form who they ultimately become.
Which option do you prefer, reading some books or watching movies adapted from them?
Hard to say, I say you have to look at them separately, because in movies you have a limited amount of time to explore the context where the book you can go much deeper.
What are some aspirations you have for your future as an author?
To find an audience and hopefully one day hit the New York Time and USA today Best sellers list.
How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?
I have ideas that pop into my head all the time. I’ll share one that I ended up changing. The end of My Daze was much different. In the original ending Nigel was supposed to die and the final chapter was his grown daughter, who had shared his journal, hoping to stop someone else from going through what he did.
How were you first introduced to AllAuthor? Do you have any feedback?
I was first introduced because a friend and author had her cover in the cover contest. I’ve enjoyed my time on the site.
