Tell us a few things about your early life or childhood. Who was your role model as a child?
My early childhood was spent in the woodland outskirts of Portland, Oregon. My brother and I grew up submerged in fairy tales, Disney, and everything magical thanks to my mother, who was and still is my biggest role model. My mom has always been a pillar of strength, love, and bravery and it is because of her that I am who I am today. We've been through a lot, both as individuals and as a family.
How were you first introduced to writing?
My mother read to us almost every night as kids. Between that and the fantastical films we grew up on, I realized at the ripe age of 9 that I wanted to tell my own stories. During the long hours we spent in my parents' auto shop after school, I began illustrating and writing short stories on computer paper. My first "novel" was ten pages long, typed on one of the first versions of Word on my Dad's computer.
Do you remember the first romance book you read?
Oh, yes: Twilight. I was seventeen and had just survived my first big, awful breakup. Twilight changed everything. For all that I read books prior, I had never been drawn into a story as deeply as I was Edward and Bella's. I engulfed the entire series in a matter of days. I remember thinking, "THIS! This is what I am supposed to do - I'm supposed to write stories as riveting and romantic as this one!"
Why did you choose the romance genre? Have you ever considered writing in any other genre?
Romances are just my cut. I love falling in love alongside the characters and getting drawn into fantastic, other worlds. If I was ever going to do another kind of novel, it would probably be a graphic novel of some sort. I would love to illustrate a full-length, artistic book about mental health!
What inspired you to write the book, "Markings"?
MARKINGS started as a high school project. In our district we were required to produce a "senior project" to graduate. I was told by the overseeing staff that writing a novel was too vast a project for an eighteen-year-old girl, but my English teacher backed me up. By graduation, MARKINGS was complete at 900 double-spaced pages. I not only passed, but was given guidance by the English department in looking for a publisher. Three years and many cut pages later, it found a home with small press, WiDo Publishing.
What are some things to keep in mind when writing a paranormal romance novel?
A solid, well thought out plot. I want to be able to fully grasp the world being created without too many descriptions or over-phrasing, and I want the characters' connection to be relatable as well as riveting. Paranormal should be faster paced, in my opinion, with twists and turns that keep me flipping the pages.
How was the idea for "Predator Girl" born?
I really wanted to write a werewolf novel, but didn't want it to be a totally typical one. Predator Girl was a side project that just came to me and unfolded beautifully. It is still to this day one of my favorites that I have written.
What is your writing schedule?
Right now, it's sporadic. I work a regular day job and have a start-up fashion brand, Kouture De Le Kraft, that I am working on as well. I am preparing, however, to join the NaNoWriMo community in November and complete another paranormal romance, A FEAST FOR FRAGILE HEARTS, which I hope to release next year.
Do you think writing stories with explicit language and adult content restricts the number of readers of your books?
I'm sure it does but after the life I have lived and the things I've been through it's realistic to me. Grief isn't pretty and I wasn't going to hide this in FIVE YEARS LATER. When people are angry or hurting or dealing with life-changing traumas, they don't say "oh, golly gee, I'm so mad!" No, we say, "Son of a bh I'm so fing mad right now!" We make mistakes. We say the wrong things, make the wrong choices. There is no manual for life, and there sure as hell isn't a manual for dealing with trauma. You have to go through it, feel it, express it, and learn from it. You have to forgive, love, and accept yourself wholly - even the ugly parts. That is where healing begins.
How will you know that you've "made it" as an author?
You know, my idea of success as an author used to be seeing my name in every major bookstore in the country and while this is still my goal I can no longer make this my sole idea of success. Finishing the book is success. Getting the book into print is success. Just following through and doing it is what tells me I've made it as an author.
Of all the books that you have written, which was the most challenging to write and why?
FIVE YEARS LATER was my most challenging, for numerous reasons. Firstly because I was used to writing paranormal, and secondly because I was going through a lot of trauma at the time. Elle's story, while a work of fiction, carried many truths about my own life and I grew right alongside her as her story progressed. Neither of us knew how her story was going to end until we both lived through some rough wake-up calls about life, family, and love.
What is the one thing you feel has helped you shape into a writer?
Reading lots of books in my genre, and general life experience. When I used to write I wrote to tell an engaging, interesting story. Now I want to tell an engaging, interesting story with a purpose. I suspect that most of my future books will have underlying themes of mental health, personal growth, and overcoming the challenges of life... and of course, romance. I will probably always write love stories ;)
When do you have the most fun writing? When does it feel the most draining?
I love writing the initial meetings between two protagonists destined for a relationship. I love watching them develop and seeing how the scenes play out. The most draining part of writing is, in all honesty, the editing. Once I'm in editorial mode instead of create mode, I become a terrible perfectionist. It's exhausting, trying to groom your story into a professional novel.
Which is the next book you are writing? What is it about?
I have started several books, but I am particularly attached to my NaNoWriMo project, A FEAST FOR FRAGILE HEARTS. The one thing I have not done yet and really want to do is accomplish a contemporary book about Faerie, and this new project - back in my familiar terrain of paranormal - follows the outcome of a little girl diagnosed with cancer whose father bargains for her life with a Faerie Royal. The Faerie saves her, but leaves an open-ended debt that he promises to one day collect on. When he comes to claim the life of the protagonist, Bianca, she steals his heart - quite literally.
When did you sign up as a member for AllAuthor? What sort of impression has the website left on you?
I signed up for AllAuthor after releasing FIVE YEARS LATER. I was determined to make a presence on as many writer-related sites as I could, and AllAuthor seemed like an important one. They've done a great job promoting my book on Twitter and helping me to get seen by fellow authors and readers. Thank you!
