Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a full-time writer, lazy housewife, and stay at home mom with one rambunctious four year old girl. We share our space with a 90 lb beast of a dog and a reclusive black cat. All of them get subjected to my constant singing, whether or not they enjoy it is anyone’s guess!
I have two books published as of this interview, “Broken Strings” and “Lo-Fidelity”. Both are part of my on-going “Instruments of Life” romance series, and the third installment, “Snared”, will be available later this spring.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Lo-Fidelity”. Like the one before it, it was inspired by my slightly obsessive love of 80s hair bands and my addiction to a good love story. I always see a lot of cut-and-dry relationships in romance novels, and I really wanted a story that was much more complicated and messy. Real life is rarely black and white.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Most of my habits are unusual! As far as writing goes, I don’t know that I do anything that’s too far out there. I usually write with reruns of old sitcoms droning on in the background. I have two designated writing spaces, one on each floor of our house, but I always seem to write on the couch or in bed. I do have a habit of writing a series of disconnected scenes and then finding ways to weave them together into a cohesive unit.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been influenced by so many different authors and books that it would be impossible to narrow them down! I grew up reading a lot of Jackie Collins novels and would devour any rock and roll biography I could get my hands on, and I think those things definitely come through in this series. I’ve ready “I’m With The Band” by Pamela Des Barres several times, and that definitely had an impact as well! I’m currently addicted to Carian Cole’s “Ashes and Embers” series and am always on the lookout for romance novels with a rock ‘n’ roll twist!
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the third installment of my “Instruments of Life” series, “Snared”. I’ve also been generating some free-standing short stories for the series that will be shared exclusively on my website, as well as working on scenes for some other books in the series.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think word of mouth is by far the best method. People can see a million advertisements and reviews and never get around to purchasing a book until a friend brings it up. I know that I’m guilty of this as well!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t worry so much about whether or not you’re “good enough”. There’s always going to be someone better than you, and, by extension, someone worse than you. There’s always going to be critics out there, it’s much better to focus on the people who love what you do. I like to remind myself that there are weirdos out there who don’t like the Beatles. Not everything is everyone’s cup of tea, even if you’re wildly successful!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This is a tough one! So many people have touched my life in so many ways! However, I think my mother and my grandmother deserve credit for this one. Both of them always impressed upon me that although many people will come and go in your life, you have to live with yourself forever, so you might as well learn to like yourself. That’s something that has always stuck with me, and has a great deal to do with all of my choices. At the end of the day, I have to live my life for me and me alone.
What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading “Wonderful Tonight” by Pattie Boyd, which was on my to-be-read list for way too long. I love the insight into such a unique time and lifestyle!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing, writing, and more writing!
I had originally intended my “Instruments of Life” series to be a trilogy, however it’s since expanded to at least 7 books and one novella. As well as finishing out the series, I also have plans for a couple non-fiction works, as well as several other novels.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Another tough one! I don’t know if I can possibly name just one book as my definite favorite. I do however, remember the first “real” book that I loved enough to read over and over. It was a young adult novel by Lurlene McDaniel, “Till Death Do Us Part”. I also read the sequel, “For Better For Worse Forever”, countless times. I was in 6th grade or so, maybe 5th, when I discovered these books and it led me to continue reading romances. Of course, over time I was drawn to more steamy reads, but that’s definitely where I got my start!
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