What was your childhood like? Tell us your fondest memory.
Education was a priority in our household, and I often was studying or reading. I also had an overactive imagination and began writing when I was 10 years old.
My fondest memory is the trip we made when I was nine to Miami and the Bahamas. It was my first time leaving the part of the country we lived in, and it exposed me to a variety of new experiences and cultural differences.
What are some books that are a must read for all avid readers?
I don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It is very much determined by readers’ interests.
What was your biggest dream as a child? Did it ever come true?
My biggest dream as a child was to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. I still have yet to achieve it.
What inspired your first original story? Did you share the tale with anyone?
A trip to a historic village about an hour from our house. The story was about two sisters in an 1840s canal town. I still have the manuscript, although it was written in pencil and is now barely legible. I can’t remember whether I shared it with anyone or not. That was more than 30 years ago.
Do you remember the first book you ever read? What was it about?
No, I don’t. It was probably something at school.
How did you begin writing the WWI Trilogy?
I stopped writing for about 10 years. The trilogy was inspired by a song from one of my favorite bands – “Mama” by My Chemical Romance. The song has allusions to war and medical care. It gave me an idea about a nurse and men from her hometown, because during the Great War men served in units with men who lived in the same geographical region, at least in the beginning. This idea wouldn’t go away. I began formulating a plot and doing character development, and the result was Angel of Mercy.
It became a trilogy when I realized there were more stories to tell involving these characters.
Who inspired the character of Hettie Steward in "Angel of Mercy"?
This line from the song: “If you could coddle the infection, they can amputate at once.”
What is the most ideal ambiance for you to write in?
I write at night, usually after the other members of the household have gone to bed, and music plays a large role in the process. If I don’t listen to music, I’m less productive.
What is your take on the importance of a good cover and title? Have you ever designed any book cover?
A cover is vitally important. It’s what potential readers see first. Then they read the title and blurb. Only if these things are impressive, will they consider making a purchase.
I have designed all the covers for my nonfiction books, but hired designers for my novels.
What kind of audience do you hope to appeal to with your books?
People who have an interest in early 20th century history and those who would love to learn more about it. Also, readers who have an affinity for strong female characters and feminine perspectives.
Which is the one character from your books you wish was real?
Most definitely Hettie. She would have a multitude of stories to tell and possible could have written a book about them akin to what Vera Brittain did with A Testament to Youth.
What is the sweetest fan-mail that you have ever received?
My characters are Canadian, and I am American. The best fan mail I ever received was from a reader who believed I was Canadian. This made me feel good because it meant I had been able to capture the attitudes and identity of my characters so accurately the reader didn’t know the difference.
What's the single best bit of advice you've been given as an author?
Whatever you do, don’t give up. It’s a tough business, but if you are serious, continue writing. The more you write, the better you will get. And remember, it’s a business, and marketing your work plays a huge part in it. Readers have to know the book is available in order to purchase it.
Which is the next book you are working on? Is it a series or a stand-alone book?
I am working on multiple projects at once. Whenever I tell fellow authors this, they comment that I am either brilliant or crazy.
I am working on trio of novellas that are loosely related to the WWI trilogy, but are each standalone stories. They tell the stories of Hettie’s mother, grandmother and great-grandmother at pivotal points in their young adulthood.
Also, during the pandemic, I’ve been working on a side project that is best described as contemporary women’s fiction. I may or may not publish it, but it has been refreshing to work on a different genre than I have in the past.
What do you think of AllAuthor? Has this website been helpful to you?
I find the design tools helpful.
