Tell us about yourself.:
I actually graduated from Baylor University with a bachelor of science in nursing. I currently work part-time as a registered nurse in surgery. Between working and watching my son, I don’t have as much time to write as I would prefer, but it’s still my passion and one of my absolute favorite things to do! So during naptime and any time I get home from work early you’ll find me on my laptop, typing or editing or doing whatever author stuff needs doing!
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in Texas. I don't know that living in the Lone Star state particularly influenced my writing except to say that every story I've written so far has been set some place other than Texas, so perhaps all the heat and humidity subconsciously makes me wish I were somewhere else! XD
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
A large part of my writing process involves sticky notes. Whenever I have an idea for a scene or snippet of dialogue, I jot it down on a sticky note. Then, when I actually start putting the novel together, I take the gigantic pile of sticky notes that I've accumulated, put them in order, and voila! The book practically writes itself!
What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in Texas. I don't know that living in the Lone Star state particularly influenced my writing except to say that every story I've written so far has been set some place other than Texas, so perhaps all the heat and humidity subconsciously makes me wish I were somewhere else! XD
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Then write some more. Then go back, and keep writing! Practice makes perfect and never give up, because that's how books are created: one page at a time.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
One of my author friends in the local Coast Writers group told me, "You can't edit a blank page" and it's absolutely true! You can't make improvements to your writing until you actually have something written!
What are you reading now?
Currently I'm working my way through the Fallen series by Lauren Kate, and *trying* not to judge the fact that her religious references are based on mythology and not theology. (When I include religion in my writing, it's based on what I actually believe and is intended to add meaning, not just filler, to the story.)
What’s your biggest weakness?
I have too many things to write and not enough time to write them in!!! No, really – when you're supposed to be getting a shower or going to bed or getting to work but you're scrambling to write notes before you lose the brilliant idea you just had – that's when you know you just don't have enough time!
What is your favorite book of all time?
"All-time favorite" is a hard one to pick! I do think that Charlie N. Homberg's fantasy books are pretty much at the top of my list though. "Followed by Frost" was the first one of hers that I ever read and it will forever hold a special place in my heart!
When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?
When I'm not writing, I'm either cleaning the house, reading for pleasure, or chasing the toddler!
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
The earliest story I recall having an impact on me was Gail Carson Levine's "Ella Enchanted." I was fascinated to see how it was the girl who had to find the strength to break her own curse, instead of relying on the handsome prince to do it for her!
What has inspired you and your writing style?
I seem to prefer YA fantasy with a dash of romance and the paranormal; the intimate first-person perspective of the Twilight series and Rick Riordan’s books are similar to my style, and I admit to using vampires in my books because of Twilight! I would also definitely say my faith is one of the many places where I find inspiration for what I write.
What are you working on now?
I'm currently typing up a handwritten manuscript that has literally lain dormant for the past decade! (I've had subconscious fears of my house catching fire and the *only* draft of this book going up in flames, so I'm finally doing something about it!) It's the first book of what will be my Elven Trilogy, and it connects to both of my previously published books. I'm also in the beta reading stage of my third novel (which is actually the sequel to the first book).
What is your favorite method for promoting your work?
I don't have a "favorite" method for book promotion, because I'm honestly still not very good at promoting my books at all! I do think social media platforms (FB, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) are great for book promotion, because you can reach a lot of people and it's all free. I also think Goodreads is a great place to connect with readers, because it's a community designed around the love of reading!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I really think I want to take the step from using a self-publishing service to doing it all myself. I know it will take a lot of work to learn how to format books correctly and design covers, but between the tools and programs available today (plus a lot of help from my tech-savvy husband!), I think I can do it!
How well do you work under pressure?
Hmm… I don't think I've ever had to write "under pressure"! That's the beauty of self-publishing, you can do it all at your own pace… I do know that I don't work well with distractions >< (I need almost complete and total silence!), but if I'm in a time crunch, I'll use whatever shorthand or abbreviations are necessary to get those ideas down on paper before they disappear!
How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing?
The tone of my writing is determined by several factors: what audience I'm intending to reach (usually YA/ new adult age range), what message I'm trying to send, and perhaps most importantly, the voice of the main character themselves. I want the story to be true to the person telling it. For instance, the tone of my first book, "The Heart of Everything," will sound different than the sequel (not published yet!) because the first book is told by 22 year old Emer, but the sequel is narrated by Alex, a vampire who's nearly 1,500 years old. So the individual perspectives are very different, and that is reflected in how the story sounds!
If you could share one thing with your fans, what would that be?
My stories! XD That may be a shameless plug, but really and truly, the best thing I have to offer is what I've already put on paper. (Though I do have a monthly blog on the books I read, and an author newsletter that shares stories from my life/ coupons/ other exclusives, if anyone finds that sort of thing appealing!)
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