Do all authors have to be grammar Nazis?

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Yes, to a certain extent. I know the rules, but I give myself the freedom to break them. If a sentence delivers better but it is not grammatically correct, I will choose delivery every time.

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Do you read much and if so, who are you favorite authors?

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I read a lot of nonfiction crime and history books. I especially enjoy books where the author dramatizes historical figures, such as The Kingmaker’s Daughter by Philippa Gregory. My favorite fictional author is Frank Peretti, who writes Christian supernatural fiction. I think he is in his own category, and I wish I could write like him. But I am who I am.

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What is the most important thing about a book in your opinion?

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I have to pick two things, but they are either/or. When I read, I want to be taken away to a world that is not my own. To a place where I can forget my troubles in the present and worries for the future. Other than that, I want my readers to be different somehow after they’ve read my books, if just a little bit.

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Have you ever designed your own book cover?

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I designed three from my own photography, and I learned from the first one what NOT to do. As much as I try, I am not an artist. After that one, I told myself to stay in my lane. Then I tried again, not willing to give up that control yet. And a Writer’s Digest judge rated my cover a 5 out of 5 on my second book. I’ve gotten nothing but positive feedback on that one. I took my own photo and manipulated it into an eye-catching design. Then I went back to the first book and redesigned that one to a more pleasing format. The jury is still out on the cover of my new release, Seven Twisted Trees. I reserve the right to change it!

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Any advice you would like to give to your younger self?

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Keep writing. Don’t let life get in the way. I wanted to be a writer when I was in high school, but I put it aside, only writing poetry here and there. Then I turned 40, and asked myself this question: If I found out I only had a short time to live, what would I regret not doing? I had abandoned something I loved. So I started writing again, researched the heck out of the craft, went to numerous conferences, entered contests and submitted my work to get clips. Then I published three novels.

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Do your novels carry a message?

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The Cyrano Game was my first, and it didn’t. It was purely thriller/suspense. The Apple Fell and Seven Twisted Trees carried the same underlying message with two different themes. Forgiveness.

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It is often believed that almost all writers have had their hearts broken at some point in time, does that remain true for you as well?

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Of course. I find it strange that I write better when I’m angry or sad, but there it is. I guess it depends on the genre, but for mystery/suspense, it works well. In order to bring up those emotions, I believe you had to have had that experience. Anyone who is willing to take risks in life will get their heart broken.

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Poets and writers in general, have a reputation of committing suicide; in your opinion, why is that the case?

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In my case, I am an empath. I feel everything too deeply. I overthink, or overanalyze, whatever you want to call it. It helps my writing, but sometimes does not help me. Not everyone sits down to a computer keyboard and bleeds onto the page like writers. And not many writers can work in a social environment, so we spend a lot of time alone, perhaps reflecting a bit too much. In some cases, it’s not easy to come out of it.

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Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?

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Write what you know. I believe that is wise advice. It is cathartic to kill off an ex! In a story…sure, that’s what I meant. I wrote as an outlet for some pain in my life, and I relegated those experiences to the written page. My pain can be a cautionary tale and a story of triumph over adversity. It taught me something. Why shouldn’t it teach someone else?

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Do you like traveling or do you prefer staying indoors?

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Oh, I caught the travel bug and I’ve got it BAD. My husband and I traveled in a fifth-wheel for a little over a year, but I had to come back and see my grandkids every three months. Then my mother’s health declined and we decided to come back and take care of her. We will go back to it one day, I promise myself. I want to see more of Europe, also.

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Have you ever considered writing an autobiography?

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Filed under “truth is stranger than fiction”. I’m not sure anyone would believe it, and I know I wouldn’t remember it all!

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How critical are you in your evaluation when you are reviewing someone’s work?

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Years ago, a writer asked me to read a book that she had already self-published and give her my honest opinion on it. I didn’t really see the point, but okay. I asked her how in-depth she wanted me to go. She urged me on. So I took it to heart. I sent her an email with notes up to page 36, because I didn’t want to overwhelm her with everything that was wrong with the book. I thought maybe it would help her to write a better novel next time. I never heard from her again. I did not review her book on any site.

I did see that other than her friends, she got trashed on Amazon reviews. I feel sorry for her, but she didn’t want help. She hasn’t published anything since.

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If you die today, how would you want the world to remember you?

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Warts and all, as someone who cared about people and loved people as God loved me first.

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Have you ever destroyed any of your drafts?

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Oh, my, yes. In my current novel, I trashed nine chapters—twice! My first novel was put aside—permanently. I was told by another author that a lot of people have to put aside their first.

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

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I usually write in the space of 12 AM to 3 AM (or later) after everyone has gone to bed, but sometimes intense scenes need a little Evanescence.

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Have any of your past loves inspired characters in your books?

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Oh, yes. The funny thing is, no one recognizes themselves. Is it denial? Hmm.

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In case one or any of your books honor the big screen, which book would you like it to be?

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A Writer’s Digest judge said of The Cyrano Game: “The crosscutting of scenes and shifting between viewpoints is cinematic in nature, and so this book would lend itself quite well to being filmed commercially.” I agree, so I am thinking of learning how to write screenplays.

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What’s your favorite movie which was based on a book?

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Jane Eyre, but only one of the versions.

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Is there a genre you absolutely despise, or are written pieces all pieces of art and demand to be respected equally?

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I don’t despise it, but I really don’t get science fiction. I read just one excellent science fiction book from an author I know, and he made it relatable.

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Have you ever turned a dream or a nightmare into a written peace?

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Yes. My first published short story was called “Death is Too Hard”. I had a dream after listening to the first Evanescence CD, worked all day and came home with the same idea. I put the CD on again, sat down and wrote the story. It didn’t have anything to do with the song; it was just the mood it evoked.

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Do you project your own habits onto your characters?

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Yes, but one of my reviews panned the eating habits of my protagonist, and guess who they were patterned after? I was indignant!

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Were you a troublemaker as a child?

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I was a middle child, the peacemaker. I married a middle child, and he was the same. Maybe there is something to this birth order stuff!

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If you had to pick one other author to write your biography, who would it be?

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Well, I love Ann Rule, but I don’t want her to write my biography, because that would mean I was a killer, or killed!