Can you share a bit about your early childhood and how your love for storytelling began?
My dad was a wonderful storyteller, so I grew up immersed in his tales. During my early years we sat around the dinner table, listening to the radio or my dad’s captivating stories.
Were there specific books or authors that influenced your early writing?
I don’t know about specifics. I enjoy reading multiple genres, and I get inspiration from each one. There are so many great authors. It’s funny, but I’m more influenced by movies. Whenever I see a good film, I think, wow, I wish I’d written that.
How has your writing style evolved from crafting tales about kittens and horses to writing romances filled with passion and longing?
I became a teenager. My priorities turned to fast cars, guys in tight jeans, rock and roll music, and being over the moon for Elvis and Ricky Nelson. Showing my age here.
What pivotal moment or realization prompted you to pursue a career as a writer?
I've always been an avid reader. When my elderly and ailing mother and mother-in-law both came to live with us at the same time, I started writing short stories for fun (and to stay sane). One day, my husband asked, "Why don't you just write a book?" I began to wonder if that was possible. I even prayed about it. I remember standing in the kitchen, asking God for a sign that writing was something I could do. The next day, a postcard from the local community college arrived in the mail. Do you want to write a novel? Summer classes are starting soon. The rest is history.
Working from home is a dream for many. How do you maintain discipline and focus in your writing routine while being at home?
Initially, I’d force myself to write every morning, even if only one sentence. Now, it’s such a habit I can’t imagine starting the day without writing.
Do you have any quirky writing habits or rituals?
Not really. I need to have the TV turned on, and it doesn’t matter what the program is; I just need background noise. I prefer the chatter of voices rather than music.
Being a member of The Butterscotch Martini Girls sounds intriguing. Can you tell us more about the group and its significance in your writing journey?
I absolutely love these ladies. We began as a critique group, meeting monthly to provide feedback on our plot, character development, pacing, dialogue, etc. As we each became published authors, several are New York Times status, we evolved into a dynamic brainstorming and marketing team, staying up to date with the latest technologies and tools available to writers. Over the years, we’ve become more than business partners, we’re good friends. Together, we’ve had weddings, divorces, new babies, and devastating family losses, and we always could count on each other for support. This year, we’re celebrating 20 years of being together. Without the love and support of these wonderful and talented women, I might never have finished a book.
How does being a part of writing groups contribute to your growth as an author?
Writing groups, especially the local chapters where I meet in person rather than on Zoom, keep me motivated and excited to pursue my goals.
What draws you to the romance genre, and do you have a favorite sub-genre within it?
The story needs to have a unique plot and strong character development. I want to see myself as the heroine, fall in love with the hero, and experience personal growth between them. I like the story to be fast-paced and have some witty dialogue.
I love good mysteries. Maybe someday I’ll try my hand at writing one.
How does your writing process differ when working on your individual books compared to collaborating with Tia Dani?
I loved being part of a team. We had a lot of fun crafting our stories together. Writing solo as Dani has been a different kind of joy. With my own stories, I can embrace my own voice and style more freely. While team writing requires a strict outline to stay on track, writing alone allows me the freedom to make changes as I please.
Living near your children and grandkids, how do you balance your writing career with family time?
Family is always first. We have family dinners once a month with all the kids and grandkids without fail. Everyone has a busy life, but they give me all the love, support, and freedom I need.
Have any aspects of your family life influenced your characters in "Rebel Heart"?
Well, not so much my family life, but I’ve always been attracted to a ‘bad boy,’ so all my heroes have to have a little ‘bad boy’ personality. And who doesn’t fall for a guy in a band?
Can you share a particularly memorable moment from your writing career, whether it's a breakthrough, a challenging triumph, or an unexpected joy?
It’s always exciting to publish your first book. Another thrill was receiving a best-selling badge from BWL Publishing.
Your interests include exploring haunted hot spots and touring luxury homes. How do these hobbies influence your writing, if at all?
They definitely have a significant impact on my writing. Haunted places spark plot ideas and twists. Luxury homes give me architectural details, lavish interiors, and unique design elements that I can use to craft settings for stories involving wealth, power, or high society.
How long have you been associated with AllAuthor? How has your experience been?
I joined AllAuthor last year, and it’s been a fantastic experience. I like the banner and mockup tools and connecting with other authors. AllAuthor is a great, easy-to-use site for marketing help, especially the regular tweets they do for you. The cover contests are fun. Overall, they are doing a great job of promotion.
