What is that one particular childhood memory that tickles your funny bone every time you remember it?
When I was in middle school, my dad took me skiing. My first time on skis. He was called to deliver a baby and left me at the top of the bunny hill. I didn’t know how to get down or how to stop, so I closed my eyes and headed down what looked like a very high slope. Of course, my arms and legs flailed all the way down. People were skirting out of my way. Some falling. And then my skis locked on the back of the skis of a boy I had a crush on. I didn’t even know he was there, and he didn’t even know I existed. I sent him flying, but somehow I made it to the bottom without falling.
Do you remember what your first story was about?
I loved mysteries—Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden, so I wrote my own.
What have been your most valuable out-of-school learning experiences?
When our family fell apart, at 13, I learned to trust God as my Father. I never had trouble imagining what a perfect father would be like.
What do you love the most about a good suspense novel?
I love a good twist. The kind that makes me go back and read the book over to see if there were clues along the way.
What made you believe that it's never too late to achieve a dream?
I passed the California bar exam in my 50s. Started writing in my 60s.
What are the weirdest things you, as a flight attendant, have seen in your line of duty?
In one of my flights, the passengers wanted every free thing they could get their hands on. Someone asked for a jar of maraschino cherries and someone stole the first aid kit.
What inspired the plot of your novel, A Song for Her Enemies?
Corrie ten Boom has always been a hero of mine. I wanted to tell her story from the point of view of a fictional Jewish guest.
How much time do you take to research when writing a historical romance novel?
A lot. It’s my favorite part of writing. I like to travel to the places in my books, eat the food, walk the streets, smell the air—immerse myself in the culture.
How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you write a draft on paper or on a keyboard?
Six days a week, I edit other people’s books and try to write 500 words a day of my own book.
What do you do in the morning to start your day on the right note?
I keep a journal, pray, and read the bible. Then I practice my languages. Right now I’m working on Welsh and Dutch and am brushing up on my French since I’ll be going to Paris and the Netherlands in September. Then I go for a long walk.
Is it better to self-publish or find a publisher for first-time authors?
I think it’s best to find a publisher, which means you have to keep polishing the book and going to conferences. Once you’re an established writer and have a following, you can self- publish.
How has been your experience of being an immigration lawyer?
It made me more compassionate to their plight. They just want a better life for their family, and that’s a good thing.
Since how long have you been a member of Word Weavers International?
Since 2012. I didn’t even know there were writers’ groups before that. I learned so much from them.
Which is the next book you are working on? Is it a series or a stand-alone book?
I’m writing the sequel to A Song for Her Enemies. It follows the lives of my characters who made it out of concentration camps and how they struggle to live in post-war years.
When did you join AllAuthor? What has your experience been like?
I joined after my book came out in March. It’s a well-run company that follows through on their promises. Just being able to answer these questions shows a company that’s interested in its authors.
