- Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
I’m an indie author from Kansas City, but I was raised in Florida from the time I was in second grade. I’m a huge lover of Broadway, books, dad rock, and serial crime dramas, and before my disability stopped me from being able to travel, I loved to do that too. In fact, I’ve been to every continent except Antarctica.
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Million-dollar question, are you working on another book?
Two, actually! One’s a reworking of an older novel I had published, in preparation to launch it into a series, and the other’s a surprise.
3. What is your advice to Indie Authors? On writing? Marketing?
Write your story the way your characters tell it to you. Don’t hold back, and don’t let fear stop you from telling your story authentically. I did that, and in the end, I ended up pulling and rewriting my first three books completely because I knew they could have been so much better. So, actually, that copy of My Lips Are Sealed that you’re getting? It’s a reworked book. As far as marketing goes…let me know when you figure it out! I’m pretty much using the spaghetti method at this point: throwing a bunch of stuff at the wall and hoping something sticks.
4. When you write, do you prefer silence or can you deal with a noisy environment?
I have to have my music OR complete silence when I write. I can’t deal with other noise/distractions.
5. What is your favorite part of the book?
Oh, man, this is hard!!! The thing I’m most proud of is Zoe’s songs. I’m NOT a poet by any stretch of the imagination, but when I was re-writing the book, I really felt like we needed to be able to read those lyrics because they’re so personal to her. So I wrote them, and I’m SO glad I did. But as for actual scenes in the book, I really love those few and far between moments in between all the craziness of Zoe and Elijah’s relationship when they just get to relax and be a normal couple, even if it’s only for a little while.
6. If you were running the 100-yard dash with a new writer. What writing, publishing wisdom would you bestow upon him/her before you reached the 100 yards?
Make sure your cover and blurb convey your story correctly!
7. If you could spend time with a character from your book, whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
100% Grant! He’s my absolute most favorite character to write, and I cannot WAIT to write his book in this series. And we’d spend the day in New York City, playing tourist and taking in a couple of shows.
8. What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
I plead the Fifth. *zips lips shut and throws away the key*
9. What would the main character in your book have to say about you?
Oh, I’m pretty sure Zoe would hate me for all the crap I’ve put her, Elijah, and their friends and family through! LOL! But she’d also love me because I gave her a hero who’s exactly what she needs to help her get through all the heavy.
10. What is something memorable you have heard from your readers/fans?
Probably the most memorable things I’ve ever seen/heard from readers are the reviews for my book My Vows Are Sealed. That book deals with some heavy, heavy issues, including child abuse and religious trauma, and I wrote it when I was going through a really dark time in my life. Honestly, it scared me so much to put it out into the world because I was terrified of how it would be received. Reading some of the reviews of that book – including one from a pastor’s wife – and seeing how much people loved the book and how poignant and thought-provoking they thought it was actually made me tear up and remember why I love writing so much.