You cannot remember a time when you didn't write. But do you remember the first time you wrote a story?
I made picture books with stick figures but I can't pinpoint an age. The first time I can give you was when I was in High School I started my Freshman year as a reporter for our High School newspaper. I was the Editor my Senior year and wrote many articles. My first fiction work I can claim was as a Junior when I entered a short story in a regional competition. I took an Honorable Mention. It was a high school romance story. I continued to write through college and beyond. Computers were unheard of back then,lol, so most everything I wrote was on paper in a spiral notebook. Unfortunately those have been lost through the years.
How do you think writing for high school and college newspapers has helped you shape into the writer you are today?
I had many great teachers back then who made sure my English, Grammar, and Writing skills were top notch. When I edited stories for the newspaper, it took a mastery of grammar to make them perfect. Without some really good instructors, I wouldn't have had those abilities.
Inspite of being so much in love with writing, why did you choose a career in law enforcement?
Law Enforcement is a calling, and I was called. I learned a lot about human nature, both the good and evil, as a police officer. Plus, all those grammar and writing skills came in handy when writing police reports. No one wants to have their writing picked apart by an aggressive Defence Attorney in court! But mostly, it gave me real world experiences that I otherwise would not have had. I base the characters in my novels on the personalities I encountered and some of the plots as well.
What do you often do to hang out with family and friends?
When I hang out with friends, they are either from my years of working with horses or from the police department. My family is spread around the country so we mostly see each other on Holidays. Then we are talking about our adventures during the year.
When did you begin writing? How much do you think you have grown as a writer since your first book?
Interesting how, as writers, we doubt ourselves and our writing. That is probably why I don't have those spiral notebooks any more. In 2011 I got a laptop computer. At that time I was the editor for my dressage group's monthly newsletter. One of my very good friends was always asking me to tell stories about my time as a police officer. Another friend suggested I write some of the stories down. From that came my first novel. My husband encouraged me to get it published. So with the help of the Internet, I researched how to get published. I sent out about a hundred queries before I got picked up by a publisher. When I go back and read that first book, I see errors in the story. Some are because I hadn't learned what publishers are looking for in stories. It took a lot of studying to find the 'rules' for writing, especially in certain genres. And it takes continued learning as the 'rules' will change.
How did your busy imagination helped you to start your first novel. Running with Horses?
When I dreamed up the story for Running With Horses, I was working as a working student for a trainer one winter in Wellington. A working student is someone who trades their hard work in cleaning, feeding, and caring for the horses in exchange for lodging, board for your own horse, and lessons. It is what my protagonist is doing in Running With Horses. I've done this with several trainers over the years. Some are great to work with, others not so much but you still have to do the work. Let's just say I had first-hand knowledge of what it was like to work for a not-so-good trainer and an excellent trainer. The story itself was pieced together while I cleaned stalls. Then when I got back to my trailer -- I lived in my horse trailer RV when I did these internships -- I would write them on my laptop before retiring for the night.
What colors of romance book covers sell the best?
That is a good question. I think that depends on the theme from the book. Red and greens work during the Christmas season. Pinks work best around Valentine's Day. A sunrise or sunset makes a good cover during a summer romance or island romance.
Did you read a lot about horses while writing your book, Running with Horses?
I read many romances that have horses in them because I love horses. I read others, also, but I like horse themes. While I was writing Running With Horses, I didn't have time to do much reading. Since I work around them on a daily basis and ride them, I'm familiar with every aspect of them including vet work, leg wrapping, grooming, ect. I did need to do some research on poisonous plants to horses. I wanted to be sure I had accurate information, especially when it came to mimicking different symptoms and finding something that could cross over to human symptoms.
How did you overcome the fear/doubts of getting your first book published?
As writers, do we ever get over those fears? Someone once told me every rejection is one step closer to finding the right agent or publisher. My aunt also drilled into me, "You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince." So, everytime I send something to my publisher, I hold my breath until she says yay or nay. If you let the fear stop you you will never get published, so hold your breath and jump in!
Are any instances from "Running with Horses" taken from real life? Do you incorporate stories from your personal life in any of your books?
Almost everything in my novels has happened either to me or to others around me. It is all on how you craft a plot around real world experiences. Have I dealt with stalkers? Yes both as a victim and police officer arresting them. Have I had horses colic? Unfortunately too many times. Have I arrested murderers? Yes after exhaustive police work with some great detectives. Have I worked for people who weren't good at working with horses? On a few occasions. Have I ridden in a big show? Most definitely.
Tell us a little about your book covers and how you go about creating them. Do you place a little or a lot of importance on your book covers?
The book cover for Running With Horses was done by a wonderful production staff at Champagne Books. They asked what I envisioned and created a cover from that. It wasn't exactly as I imagined, but I loved it the moment they sent it to me.
What are some rules to writing romantic suspense?
The first rule I had to learn was the two romantic interests have to meet within the first five pages. That doesn't give you any time to set up a story or give much backstory. Another rule is leaving the bread crumbs just big enough to follow but don't give too much away too quickly. One thing I see in books that are self-published is too much backstory up front. Romantic suspense has to keep moving or you lose the reader. For romance writers, the best reference is the Romance Writers of America for romance rules.
Would you say that your life has changed much after becoming an author? What are some important life lessons you've learnt since then?
Life hasn't changed much except now I spend more time on social networks to publicize my work than actual writing. Social media can be a rabbit hole that is addicting unless you tell yourself to get back to writing!
What are you currently working on?
I have a couple of stories I'm currently working on. One is about two police officers who become embroiled in a murder investigation with treasure hunters. The other is about a support group for abused women where the horses do much of the healing.
What are some tools you use for book promotions? How did you come to know about AllAuthor and what are your thoughts on this website?
I found All Author when a writer friend of mine told me about them. I enjoy finding a 'support group' of fellow writers all working to promote each other and their craft. I do a lot of promotions on Twitter and some on Facebook. It is hard to know sometimes what is working and what isn't. All Author gives a writer several venues to promote all in one place.
