Where were you born? Which is your favorite childhood memory?
I was born in Florid
My favorite childhood memory is going to the drive-in with my family, and stopping at an old-fashioned A&W root beer stand for chili dogs and glass gallon jugs of root beer. My sister and brother and I would fall asleep in the back of a 1970 Chevy station wagon.
What books do you remember reading during your childhood?
I was addicted to Nancy Drew, and had a complete set of very cheap hardbacks my father brought back from one of his travels. I read them to pieces. There was also The Boxcar Children, the Little House books, and all the Tolkien books. I can’t remember any other specific titles, but it seemed like I was always reading something.
Your thoughts on conventional vs. self-publishing? What route did you choose and why?
I’m a hybrid author, meaning I have both self-published work and titles with publishers. Both paths have benefits and drawbacks. As a self-published author, I have complete control over my product, including editing, cover art, advertising, and content. I own all the rights and can do whatever I want with my work. Working with a publisher can allow an author increased visibility, and access to their resources.
For how long have you worked as a teacher?
I no longer teach, but I taught for about ten years.
What challenges did you face while writing your book, Masters of the Castle: Witness Protection Program?
That was an anthology created with several other authors, and was great fun to write. The biggest challenge with that one was tying all the stories together with one plot arc that encompassed all the stories.
How do you start an idea of writing a Romance book?
The very first thing I usually do is come up with either the hero or the heroine. Usually, it’s the hero, but my ladies have been speaking up lately. Once I have the character idea, I come up with the person least likely to get along with them. Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope to write, and I love seeing how the conflict develops.
When writing books, how do you decide how many pages?
It depends. If I’m working with a publisher, I often have a specific word count. In the stories I plan to self-publish, I let the story play out without considering how long it will be. For example, Breaking Donatella, the book I’m releasing in March, was intended to be around 60,000 words, but ended up being quite a bit longer because the story got more complex. In general, I like to keep my books between 60,000 and 70,000 words.
Which is your favorite story out of the eight in "Masters of the Castle: Witness Protection Program"?
They’re all wonderful! I can’t pick a favorite.
Who inspired the character of Ryan in "Treats for Lucia"?
Ryan wasn’t inspired by any one specific person. He’s more an amalgamation of several heroes from other books, mixed with some imagination and a couple of stock photos.
What does reading, writing, and literature, in general, mean to you?
In the broadest of terms, fiction, especially romance, is escapism. A good story can take someone places they might not otherwise be able to go. A reader can imagine themselves as the pioneer, the explorer, the dashing hero, etc. without leaving their home. Writing is much the same. I want to create characters my readers can relate to. They’re imperfect, maybe a little older, maybe they don’t have a body type that fits in with conventional standards of beauty. I want my characters to resonate. Everyone deserves a happy ever after.
Are there any individual books, characters, or series that you regret writing? If so, why?
Yes, and no. I regret some of the choices I’ve made about where some of my stories have gone, but each one has been a learning experience. A mistake from which one has learned something is always valuable.
Does writing books get easier every time you write one?
Nope. Not ever. Each book is different and has different challenges.
What are the common errors made when people write books?
Sharing their work with close friends. A friend isn’t likely to say they don’t like it. The people from my day job beg for my work, but I don’t share.
Not hiring a professional editor or cover artist. These things can be expensive, but poor editing and a bad cover will sink a book.
Forgetting that every book is a product to be sold. Authors DO absolutely pour their hearts and souls into their work, but at the end, authors are selling it to an audience who will read it in a few hours, then move to the next.
Spending money on unnecessary items. A beginning author doesn’t need a PA, a PR firm, ISBN numbers, or expensive book promo sites until they get more established.
Signing a contract without researching.
How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?
Too many to count! Right now, I’m in the process of starting a short story for an upcoming anthology featuring the Russian mob and a love interest straight from West Virginia coal country.
How has your experience of being associated with AllAuthor been?
Very good! I love the tweets and the promo art.
