What hobby do you miss most from your childhood? Why?
I'm actually still doing my favourite hobbies from childhood - writing and drawing!
Do you remember the first romance novel you ever read?
Yes - it was These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer - I was about 13. My Brother Michael by Mary Stewart was my first Romantic Suspense - I was 15
When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
I was about 11 or 12 - My teacher asked us to write 'My Life Story' over the summer - it was the best assignment ever! Were your parents supportive of this choice of career? It was only a hobby until I was an older adult and both my parents had passed on by then - but I chose Art as a career, and they were very supportive as they met in Art College themselves! My mother went to the local library every week and we grew up with books and reading - she enjoyed reading my English essays, so I suppose she encouraged me in that way.
Do you like reading more or writing?
Argh - what a cruel question - I can't do one without the other! Who are some of your favorite authors? Nora Roberts, Susan ELizabeth Phillips, Lisa Kleypas, Lucy Score, Julie Ann Long (her contemporaries as well as her historicals) Roni Loren, Avery Flynn, Emma Chase, Eloisa James, Lorraine Heath, Kate Cantebury....
How do you strike a balance between creating a sexy, funny, and poignant narrative in your stories?
By keeping it as real as I can - mostly through dialogue. Humour is vital as it can ease so many of my characters' situations - especially if one is using humour and the other is confounded by it - that's also fun! Poignancy is vital to a good story as the vulnerability shown by my characters means they can expose their hearts and be open to change.
What techniques or strategies do you use to engage readers emotionally while delivering an entertaining and arousing experience?
Snappy dialogue. Using the vernacular and 'bad' language if the character needs to. Interspersing this with some inner thoughts really works for me.
What themes or messages do you aim to convey through your series, The Fitzgerald Family?
Primarily the theme of 'found family'. Each of the siblings, though close with each other, finds a new way to belong. I also use the theme of kept secrets and how damaging they can be - these two elements are evident throughout the five books.
How do you navigate the potential criticism or backlash that may arise from writing in a genre that combines sensuality and humor?
That's a tough one. I try to remember that sensual stories are not for everyone. I've heard that I write 'great sex scenes' and also that there is 'way too much sex' in the books - can't please everyone. I haven't engaged with some books that others have loved, and vice versa. I get it, but I'm still sensitive enough to feel defensive at times. Need to watch that as I genuinely believe, 'each to their own'.
How important is character development in creating compelling and relatable sexy, funny, and poignant stories?
Extremely important. If the characters don't change and grow and understand, realise or believe something 'more' by the end, what is the point of following their journey?
How did you develop the characters in your series? Did any real-life individuals or experiences influence their creation?
Coming from a family of five siblings myself I knew it was important to give them a similar humour and moral compass but ensure that it comes out individually in each character. My family, though close, are very different to each other. None of the Fitzgeralds is based on any real person - or at least not intentionally....
How do you approach world-building in your series, The Fitzgerald Family? Did you have a clear vision from the beginning, or did it evolve as you wrote?
I thought I had a clear vision but as each sibling got their own book their voice took over. How Caro speaks (Roman Holiday) is very different to Ali, (Just Desserts). I imagined each of their life experiences and allowed them to speak to those things - both literally and emotionally.
As an author of a series, how do you approach planning and structuring the overall story arc? Do you have the entire series planned out in advance, or do you take it book by book?
I always knew I'd write about each one. I had a vague notion of the struggle within each of the characters but as they dipped into the book before theirs, I was able to leave breadcrumbs as a tempting taste of who they might be. That was exciting and a thrill as each became the hero in their own story. I kept a spreadsheet timeline with dates, events, birthdays and crossovers to help me. I printed it out and had it stuck on the wall above my computer!
What are some things you wish your readers would take away from your books?
Escapism. Followed by the joy of a good read and a HEA. But also, an awareness of the seriousness behind the stories too - the struggles with belonging, with single parenthood, with long held secrets, with hiding one's true self, with accepting your own vulnerability.
Can you provide any insights into your future plans for the series? Are there any upcoming books or projects that readers can look forward to?
For now, the Fitzgearlds are done - though I've been asked many times if Toby would get his own story.... maybe, in time! My present WIP takes place in the Fitzgerald world - one or two of the characters are mentioned - this is necessary since it is also set in Ireland and within a similar timeframe and as anyone who lives here knows, you always know someone who knows someone or is distantly related to them! But the MMC and MFC are from more diverse backgrounds.
How has your experience of being associated with AllAuthor been?
Very satisfying indeed. It's great to see the ads and banners and tweets. I'd definitely recommend and use again in the future myself..
