Do you have a simple childhood memory that you could never forget?
Every summer my family would go camping. Not to a facilitated campground at a beach or lake, but to a remote campground in the forest. Though the need to bring all your supplies, including fresh water, put off a lot of campers, being isolated and so close to nature is what I loved about it. We made some amazing memories there.
Did reading from a young age help you develop better imagination?
Yes, I believe it did. My parents read to me at every opportunity. I had several books memorized before I was old enough to read them myself. My favourite was Chicken Licken. (Sometimes known as Henny Penny, or Chicken Little).
What is the key to being a successful cat owner?
Choosing the right pet is the most important. Research your breed, or obtain background information if it is a rescue. Knowing how active your pet will be, how big it will grow, or if it will have special needs, is vital. You should also choose the pet you have a connection with, if possible. My cats are my writing companions. They’re ragdolls so they love company and affection. They follow me around like little shadows.
What encouraged you to achieve your goal with your first publication in 2011?
Becoming an author has been a lifelong dream of mine. After I achieved success with two short stories I had published, along with a ton of encouragement from author Allison Cassatta, I decided to go for it.
What sparked the idea for your story, Alpha Stray?
The entire book was inspired by the cover. It is the first time I have bought a ‘premade’ cover, fully designed and just waiting for the title and author’s name. I even kept the temporary title the designer used in the advert. This book was also a NaNoWriMo project. (National Novel Writing Month). This is an event where writers set out to achieve fifty thousand words in the month of November. I added another fifty thousand words, and Alpha Stray came to life.
Who inspired the character of Rion in "Redemption and Sacrifice (Immortal Trinity Book 2)"?
Rion (who was also one of the main characters in the first Immortal Trinity book) has been lurking in a dark corner of my mind for a very long time. I always knew he had a story to tell, but it wasn’t until I had published a couple of other books in my Therian Secrets series that I was ready to share it. During the interim, Rion’s Friends Will and Tobias also began to take form. Waiting turned out to be the best thing for the story, as it would not have worked so well without the other two main characters.
While writing Therian Secrets series, did you plan out the series or did it just evolve?
This series was inspired by the region of New Zealand where I grew up. There are many pockets of native forest, which have an ‘other-worldly’ feel to them. With my over active imagination, I always wondered what secrets they may hold, and in an urban fantasy setting, what may lurk within. As the first book (The Mercenary) took shape, I began to realize this world I’d created was far too big for one book. The more I wrote, the more ideas kept coming, for future books. I’m not an author who outlines, so I tend not to plan, but I have many key plot points in mind, waiting to be put onto the page.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Stephen King. I read my first Stephen King novel at twelve years old. I was blown away by the intricacies within the plot, and the level of detail in the characters and world building. The fantasy element also really appealed to me. He is one of my biggest inspirations as an author.
Which one do you prefer: writing a series or standalone novel? Why?
I find it difficult to write a short (or even regular length) story. As a result, I find myself needing to write trilogies or series in order to give the characters the page time they need to tell the story in the way it needs to unfold. I’ve written one stand-alone novel (Alpha Stray) and found it harder than I anticipated. I’ve since had many readers asking if there will be more books to follow as they’ve really enjoyed the characters. We’ll have to see!
What's your opinion on shifter paranormal romance novels?
This is obviously the subject matter of my main series (Therian Secrets). One of the reasons I decided to write this type of book is because I enjoy reading them. However, for my books, I wanted it to be more than just a romance. Therian Secrets overlaps a few different genres: Action, intrigue, romance, paranormal…
What should one know before getting a bearded dragon?
Bearded dragons make fantastic pets, but the set up cost can be quite steep. (Terrarium, heat lamp, UV light, items of interest to include for him to sun himself on or hide in/behind). It is also a really good idea to look up which things are safe (or not safe) to feed him. They love certain veges/plants, and have live or canned protein once a week.
Do you have any future projects we can look forward to?
I am currently working on book 5 in the Therian Secrets series. (The Peacekeeper). After that I will write the final book in the Immortal Trinity trilogy. (Saving their Forever). I’m also working on a series of fantasy novellas.
How has your experience of being associated with All Author been?
I’ve loved being a part of All Author. I think it’s a fantastic place for authors and readers to find each other. There are some great new books just waiting to be discovered! The team at AllAuthor are friendly and helpful. I recommend this site to any avid reader.
