When you were young, did you ever think of becoming a USA Today Bestselling author one day?
Absolutely not. When I was young I dreamt of writing novels, but was completely naive about the realities of publishing. I did not live in a world that exposed me to best sellers lists or any other part of the process.
Were you a big reader as a kid too? If so, what were some of your favorite books then?
Reading was one of my first passions, from a very early age, along with art. I was indeed a voracious reader. One of the first novels I can recall becoming completely immersed in and moved by was The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Later on, from the ages of about 9-12, I read a great deal of Science Fiction, and was also changed by reading Stranger in a Strange Land (which didn’t hold up upon re-reading as a older, more worldly adult) along with the works of Arthur C Clarke. Once a university student, I capped several years of reading romance novels by gobbling up classics, reading everything by Jane Austen, Dickens, DH Lawrence and Doris Lessing, among others.
What made you realize that you wanted to be a writer?
I think the love of story and the urge and impulse to tell them sat inside me, always present, waiting to be expressed and developed.
How has studying Fine Arts helped you in your writing career?
I’ve always been very visual, an active creative person who appreciates arts, crafts, architecture and makers and designers of all kinds. It’s just who I am. So studying or practicing fine arts, my architecture career, and writing are all part and parcel. I think readers will see the expression of my love of physical design and details of the environment in my writing, as well as an aptiude for it. The translation of pictures into words and vice versa, is fluid and easy for me. If anything I have to reign it in.
Who inspired the character of Clio in "The Art of Enchantment"?
I think Clio’s character grew up out of the needs of the story and the place, which for that book, came first. Her physical appearance was inspired by the models of the Pre-Raphaelites, so beautifully expressed in their painting, prints and crafts.
How many books do you plan to write in the Off-the-Grid Christmas series?
Right now it’s planned as a trilogy and will likely stay that way. The future heroines were introduced in Hiding From Christmas and the additional stories are outlined. It’s just a matter of time to get the words down onto the page.
Which one do you prefer - hardbacks, paperbacks, or eBooks?
Hm. I love both paperbacks and eBooks, and read equally between the two. Nothing beats eBooks for traveling. I used to weigh my vacation luggage down with ten or more heavy books. No more! But I’m not a fan of hardcovers. I tend to drop them on my nose and it hurts!
What is the best writing tip you ever received and who gave it to you?
I’ve got the most helpful writing advice from several author-coaches. Laurie Campbell-Schnebly taught me a lot about figuring out who my characters are, and letting that drive the story. Mary Robinette Kowal teaches amazing tools to understand pacing, story structure, and its parts. And I’ve more recently got some deep learning from the writings of Lisa Cron. Also Becca Syme has taught me to better understand my own writing brain, and allowed me to accept a process that doesn’t match other writers, and to work with that and optimize it.
As an author, how confident are you in the story you have written or plan to write?
Very. And more as I’ve matured as a writer. I work out a lot of things beforehand and there are fewer mysteries and stall-outs than there used to be. I still have areas of weakness and learnings that are ongoing. Some things about ones own voice are harder to change.
How would you describe your experience of working as an architect?
In a word, frustrating. Architecture is much more glamorous looking from the outside than in. The true business of architecture is much more about regulation, technology, society, money and power than just design and aesthetics. I enjoyed and appreciated its complexity, but ultimately my personality type was not a good fit for its rigours or politics.
What are your techniques to improve writing?
Study, analysis, practice and always reading exemplars.
What is the next book you are looking forward to writing? What is it about?
I both look forward to and kind of dread writing book 3 in my UNLIKELY series. It’s a big stretch for me because I’m deep diving into a cultural group and character identity other than my own. I really want to do this but it scares me a little. I don’t like to fail.
How has your experience of being associated with AllAuthor been?
I’ve enjoyed participating in All Authors platform, and been involved in several cover contests. It’s a great way to connect with other authors and readers.
