INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

Q: A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that?

A: I can’t speak for other writers, but I prefer to be a bit of a wall flower.

Q: If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

A: I am an insanely huge fan of Harry Potter, so I would have to pick that series. It brought me through and out of a dark time in my youth. It also inspired and lifted me when I needed it the most.

Q: When did it dawn upon you that you wanted to be a writer?

A: While I was reading Harry Potter. I wanted to create brilliant worlds for others to get lost in when they needed to disappear out of their head space for a while.

Q: How often do you write?

A: I wrote a little today. I’ve tried to get into the habit of writing every day.

Q: Do you have a set schedule for writing, or are you one of those who write only when they feel inspired?

A: Whenever I put my girls down for their nap and bed I bust out my laptop.

Q: How hard was it to sit down and actually start writing something?

A: With my 2 year old and 8 month old… really hard lol. If one isn’t wanting me the other is. They run my time schedule.

Q: Do you proofread and edit your work on your own or pay someone to do it for you?

A: I have an editor. When I’m done with my novel I send it to her and while she is editing that one I focus on another.

Q: Have you ever left any of your books stew for months on end or even a year?

A: So many times.

Q: What is your take on the importance of a good cover and title?

A: I believe that a decent title and book cover plays an important role in the selling process.

Most readers – myself included – believe that a crappy cover art reflects what is on the inside.

When I am scrolling through the kindle market and even in a book store, it is the cover that draws me in to read the blurb and if the blurb is intriguing enough I just found my next book.

Q: Do you read and reply to the reviews and comments of your readers?

A: At the moment, yes I do read all my reviews. If I reply, I usually try and reply to the negative reviews. I let them know that even though they didn’t like my novel I respect the time they invested to read it.

Q: Is there anything you are currently working on that may intrigue the interest of your readers?

A: I am working on the sequel to my novel Royal Pains. At this moment I’ve only planned it to be a duology, but who knows what the future might bring.

Q: Who are your books mostly dedicated to?

A: My mom. She was my biggest supporter, from the very beginning. She passed away two years before I published my first book.

Q: What advice would you like to give writers who are struggling with their first novels?

A: Don’t give up even though your first book might end up being nothing more than a crappy trunk novel.

Q: Are you friends with other writers?

A: Yes! K.R. Wilburn, author of Changeling. We grew up in the same town and associated with some of the same people. Coincidentally, we both also ended up at Fort Wainwright,at the same time, where our husbands were stationed for the army.

Q: Which book would you want adapted for the silver screen?

A: My novels? It’s so hard to choose. I guess if I had to decide on one, I’d go with  my novel Neenah Fynn, as my first choice, and Behind  Those Green Eyes, as my second.

Q: Have you ever written a character based on the real you in some part?

A: No I haven’t.

Q: Can you tell us about your current projects?

A: I have three novels I am currently writing. Royal Pleasures, the sequel to Royal Pains. Secrets of the Sea, a YA novel. Behind Those Green Eyes, a romance.

Q: When can the readers expect your next book in print?

A: I do not exactly have a permanent release date just yet, but within twelve months my next four books should be published. Neenah Fynn will be the first – it is currently being edited.

Q: How big of a part does music play in creating your “zone”?

A: I have to have writing play lists for my novels.

Q: If you’re writing about a city/country/culture you haven’t physically visited, how much research do you conduct before you start writing?

A: There is a scene in my novel Royal Pleasures that is set in the Lourve and to write the scene I pulled up a map of the Lourve and studied it.

Q: Have you ever written a character with an actor in mind?

A: In my novel Behind Those Green Eyes I wrote Thea Rose with Dove Cameron in mind. In my novel Royal Pains and Royal Pleasures Theo James was my muse for Prince Theodore Fallmonte. In Neenah Fynn, Harry Styles was my Silas Dimperio.

Q: Is privacy an issue for you?

A: I’m big on privacy. The possibility of fans invading my personal and private life in the future racks up my anxiety.

Q: Do any of your family members make occasional cameos in your books?

A: My niece Gabriella Snow is my main characters best friend in my novel Neenah Fynn. When I finished the script -before editing- I had it bound with the full wrap cover and sent it to her so she could read it.

She finished it in three days.

Q: Have you ever written fan-fiction?

A: That is where it all began! I did a lot of Harry Potter and Twilight fan-fiction back in the days. I still write fan-fiction, though not as much.

I had to force myself to focus on my original stories because I wrote too much fan-fiction lol.

Q: Do you read the fan-fiction your fans write online? And do you enjoy it?

A: When that actually happens, yes I will read it! I will even post my favorites on my author website.

Q: If you could live anywhere in the world, which country would you choose and why?

A: I’d love to live on the continent Europe, preferably in London or Paris.