Which is your favorite childhood memory?
I've been a cat person from a very young age. I adore them. Back in the 70s there wasn't a lot of information about spaying and neutering your pets, which is how my cat, whom I absolutely adored, ended up having kittens, a couple of them looking like miniature clones of her. My very best memories are of playing with her kittens.
Do you remember the first story you ever read and the impact it had on you?
I know I was reading before this, but the first books I remember really getting into were the Trixie Belden books. I was hooked from book one and wanted nothing more than to be Trixie herself. I also spent much of my childhood declaring that I was going to be a detective when I grew up. If you'd told me back then that I would one day grow up to be an author instead, I would have replied, "An author of mysteries, right?" But no. Romance it is. And not even romantic suspense. Paranormal all the way, baby!
Who is the most supportive person in your life when it comes to your writing?
My editor, J.L. Troughton. She is always asking when the next book will be ready as she enjoys reading them as much as my fans. In fact, she always says she gets caught up in reading the stories and forgets to edit them the first time around.
Your thoughts on conventional vs. self-publishing? What route did you choose and why?
I chose self-publishing because I like having control of every aspect of the publishing process, from the choice of covers on down.
How did you come up with the plot of your book, Dragon Shenanigans?
I usually start with the characters when writing. In this case, I knew I wanted to introduce dragons into the Shenanigans series and needed a worthy heroine for Zee the Dragon. Hence, Ashlynn, the lone phoenix in the series.
Who inspired the character of Lucky in "Lucky Shenanigans"?
For Lucky's character, I had to first do away with the whole idea of there being no female leprechauns. From there, I pulled from the legend that describes leprechauns as tricksters and mischief-makers. I had a lot of fun coming up with silly bits of mischief for the leprechauns to indulge in.
What, to you, is an ideal setting or environment for a good writing session?
Mostly, I like to write in my living room, surrounded by cats and silence. Also, some chips and guacamole and a Dr. Pepper wouldn't go amiss.
What is the best piece of advice you have received related to writing? Blank page?
Just get in the chair and write. Unfinished manuscript? Just get in the chair and write. Published and ready to rest on your laurels? Just get back in the chair and write.
When you're not reading or writing a book, what are some other things that you love to do?
Indulge in Marvel movie marathons, volunteer for rescue organizations, care for outdoor feral cat colonies, create videos of my cats doing extreme cat-like things with ridiculous voice-overs, and hang out with family and friends.
What were the key challenges you faced when writing your first book?
Procrastination. I mean. That's the main challenge I face in my everyday life. So. Procrastination is really my fatal flaw. Always put off today what you can do tomorrow should be my motto. Seriously. I had to decide I was serious about the writing gig and then devote myself to making it happen. Every single day, it's a power struggle between procrastination and the story that must be told.
If there was anything you could say to your younger self, what would you say?
You want to write. So start writing! In my 20s, I had it in my head that I had to write something important. Something ground-breaking. Literary. Even though what I was reading was mostly romance. If I had just started writing romance back then, I'd have so many more books written by now. So yeah. I'd probably tell my younger self to embrace my love of romance and to GO FOR IT.
Would you rather be a dragon or own a dragon?
Hmm. That's a hard one. I'd like it all please. I want the ability to ride a dragon. In every possible way. So I'm thinking . . . dragon mate. I know that wasn't an option, but it definitely should be.
What would you like to read in a paranormal romance book?
I'm partial to shifters, but the truth is I'll read almost anything paranormal. I love anything having to do with psychic abilities, which means Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series is a really good marriage between my two paranormal loves. Basically, I would like to live in Nalini's San Francisco.
What are some of your plans for the future?
Are you working on a new project at the moment? I'm writing as always. My publishing schedule is pretty intense for the next couple of years, starting with No Rest for the Wicked, which comes out in June. It's the first of two books that are spin-offs from my Shenanigans series.
How has your experience of being associated with AllAuthor been?
Great. I've enjoyed being part of the AllAuthor world.
