What are some early childhood experiences you had that really shaped the way you are today?
I feel I was a late bloomer when it came to writing. When young, I visited an eye doctor who made me do the oddest eye exercises that included laying on my back on the floor and moving my arms. I tried contact lenses at 16 and could see better, but I took a remedial reading course in my senior year that was all about memorizing blocks of random numbers. That helped. Recent cataract surgery has helped immensely.
Your background in Art Education must have had a significant impact on your creative pursuits. How do you feel your artistic background influences your writing?
I started thinking I could make book covers better than the ones I saw on other books. I think I am doing a good job capturing the characters and plot.
Transitioning from being an EMT and firefighter to a full-time writer is quite a shift. Can you share some experiences from your time as an EMT and firefighter that have influenced your storytelling?
Scenes come to me, and I add them to plot lines. Emergencies, trauma, and tragic events are sometimes added. I have written a few books where the characters are firefighters.
Moving from New Hampshire to North Carolina is quite the change. How has this change in environment and lifestyle affected your writing process and the themes in your books?
I was able to retire after many years of full-time work, so hours were spent on writing. I still have deer and rabbits in the yard. No moose, though.
You're a member of various writers' associations. How has being a part of these organizations contributed to your growth and success as an author?
Yes! Seeing others work, listening to their experiences, and sharing good news keeps a writer from living in a world apart.
Scottish Highland Games seem to be one of your passions. How have these events inspired your writing, and do they play a role in any of your stories?
My best-selling book is a time-travel titled My Honorable Highlander. A present-day woman, volunteering at a Highland Games, meets a 16th century leader of a clan in Scotland. This led to 5 more books, and I loved writing them.
Long Island and New Hampshire are both unique in their ways. Can you talk about how your upbringing in these places has shaped your storytelling and the settings you choose for your books?
Long Island was my past, New Hampshire was where I grew up and raised a family, and North Carolina is where I found joy in getting up every day to write.
Your biography mentions that you raised two sons. How has motherhood impacted your writing journey, and have you ever drawn inspiration from your experiences as a mother?
I do not write children’s books simply because I still cannot believe we raised two sons. They were good kids and turned into great men. They were easy, which kept me calm.
Many writers find it challenging to transition from a full-time job to writing full-time. What advice do you have for authors looking to make this transition successfully?
Start writing when you can. I was a 911 dispatcher who wrote between calls on a legal pad, then went home and typed it into a computer. After a while, you find a way to fill the time, while attending writer meetings, conferences, book events, and more.
You've written in various genres, including romance and fantasy. How do you approach the different genres, and do you find any common threads that run through your work?
My dreams take me down paths and I have no idea why I sometimes ‘see’ dragons, while at other times see a young English woman at a ball.
Could you share some insights into your writing routine and creative process? How do you maintain a productive writing schedule?
Everything rolled smoothly before May 2023. I would write in the mornings after checking important emails and making sure mom was okay by texting her. After my fall, my broken wrist and ribs kept me from my productive routine. My book The Rogue’s Ring was published a week prior and luckily my promotions were already in place. I am now fully healed and back to writing.
Your books likely require research, especially when delving into historical or fantasy elements. How do you approach research, and what's the most interesting thing you've learned while researching for a book?
I read. I read a lot. My husband knows everything about European history, and I ‘Google’ the rest. YouTube has helped, especially when I need to ‘see’ the Isle of Skye or the Scottish coast. Other writers are available to answer other questions.
What do you consider the most rewarding aspect of being an author? Is there a particular reader interaction or moment that stands out to you?
I have been able to meet some of my favorite authors. This is another reason for attending conferences and workshops, which are back up since the pandemic. I met Hannah Howell at such a workshop, and she was so nice and normal, that I tried my hand at writing Scottish stories like she did.
Writing can be a solitary endeavor. How do you stay connected with your readers and the writing community, and how do these connections influence your work?
My writing organizations meet at least monthly in person or on zoom. They all have email forums as well. Readers find me through my newsletters or blog.
How were you first introduced to AllAuthor? Do you have any feedback?
I forget who mentioned AllAuthor, but it had to be another author. My first book submitted to your monthly book cover contest actually won. Even though my publisher at the time created the cover for Heaven-sent Warrior, they used my suggestions. Love that cover!
