*What would you be
doing right now if you were not an author? Well, when I was 19 I fell into a
job selling insurance to businesses. I
suppose I would be doing that full time, but I can tell you, it's not as much
fun as writing. I really can't imagine
my life without telling stories. Writing
down my thoughts and ideas has always been my therapy!
*5 years ago: what
were you doing? Actually, about five
years ago is when I started writing my first novel, The Keepers. At that time, I was just writing it for
friends and family, but it was definitely the story that gave me the courage to
publish my work.
*Do you have a
certain writing ritual? I usually (but
not always) write everything out long hand.
For some reason, I feel like the creativity flows better with a pen in
my hand. (A brightly colored pen!) I also must have a Coke nearby and sometimes
I listen to music if I need a little extra inspiration.
*What has been the
toughest criticism given to you as an author? From the very beginning, I've had
a tough editor (Kay Springsteen). At
first, it was hard to take any criticism, but as time when on, I sort of became
addicted to having someone that I knew would really point out my
weaknesses. If you are putting your work
out there, you really want for people to see it as the best it can be. Once when I was writing a sequel, my editor
pointed out things that would make the book stand alone so that if someone
picked up the wrong book first, they wouldn't be confused. It was probably a little hard to take,
because I had to add quite a bit to the book, but in the end it made it so much
better.
I have found that
when you put your books up for free, you are asking for trolls and others to
post reviews that make no sense and are just cruel, but I've come to accept
that because I want to offer them for free sometimes, and I feel that real
readers listen more to word of mouth and what their friends are reading.
*Ever fangirled over
another author? Who was it? You know, I
tend to fangirl over Indie authors. I'm
so amazed at all the writers that have regular lives and juggle kids and sometimes
jobs and other things that life throw their way and there is no one backing
them up...no big publishing company marketing their work. However, these writers always find away to
reach their readers. I love that. I adore Lila Felix, Casse NaRome, Rachel Van
Dyken, oh the list is long....
*Is there an author
you'd like to meet? I started reading Anne Rice novels when I was about twelve
or thirteen. My dad would wait in line
to get the next one when it came out. I
think I would probably lose my ability to speak if I met her
* Do you read other's
reviews of your books? I used to read
them when I first started writing.
However, as time has gone on, I try not to unless they post it on my
Facebook or twitter. I think everyone
has the right to their opinion, but there are times when people are mean just
to be mean, not because they actually didn't like your book. The few unflattering reviews I've gotten have
mostly started with phrases like this:
"Well this isn't the type of book I usually read..."--kind of
makes you wonder why they chose yours?
Why they expected to like it? As
writers, we are very emotional and sensitive and sometimes those words can spur
our own insecurities. So, I guess the
final answer is...it depends.
Click on the books below to see my review....
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