Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write kissing books set in the small fictional town of Rivers End. I’ve currently got 11 published stories, and have many many more in progress! All are interwoven in the same story world. They are all contemporary romances (so far) some with intrigue/suspense and some with a touch of magic.
When I’m not writing I’m usually reading, cooking, walking along the water near my house in Vancouver, BC or hanging out with one of the many writers groups I belong to.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Dark & Stormy, and it was inspired by a wind storm induced blackout here that wiped out power to most of the province where I live for several days. Best estimate was about 750K people were without power, and it got me to thinking about what would happen if it was New Year’s Eve, and the power went out in the middle of a party at a building with an elevator…
I wanted to try something different and weave together 4 different characters who are friends, but neither of the couples have had the courage to act on their feelings. So you get two stories and two happily-ever-afters!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
A few LOL!
I like to do what I call “binge writing” where I will spend a lot of time preparing—getting to know the characters, figuring out basic plot points etc. and then I drop into the story and write as much as I can each day until it’s written. Then I spend a good deal of time on many rounds of revisions.
I also design the covers FIRST – before I write the book. I need to be able to “See” where the book is going, and set the tone and the feel and see that it’s real before I can really drop in deeply to the story and get it written. Then I can put the cover up as wallpaper on my laptop while I’m writing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
SO many authors that I love. Nora Roberts, Susan Wiggs, Kristan Higgins, Jill Shalvis… those are some of my favourites and they influenced the way I thought about stories.
Loads of writing books have made an impression, but I particularly love Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes. I found that one really helpful with breaking down the beats for a 2 POV story.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a book called MIDNIGHT. It’s a fun and different spin on a Cinderella story, but still woven into the Rivers End world. It’s book 2 in the O’Donnell family mini-series. It follows THE LIST which is available now.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My own mailing list is by far the best place I’ve ever found to promote my books. I have the best readers, and they’re super engaged so I have a lot of fun sending out little tidbits of behind the scenes stuff, and they are super supportive with buying the books/reading on KU and reviewing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Write. Write. And then write some more! My only regret is that I didn’t have more finished books when I started releasing. And you’ll learn so much with each book that you write.
Also, start building your own mailing list at DAY 1 and then keep it up!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The most important thing you can do as an author is to put your energy into making sure you’re writing the best story you can.
Then it’s all about CONNECTING WITH YOUR READERS!
What are you reading now?
The Best Bride by Susan Mallery
Keep Going by Austin Kleon
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep on writing Rivers End romances! I have so many outlined, so many ideas, so many characters woven into existing books who want their own stories. So that’s my focus… to get them out of my head and my notes documents and into books where people can actually read them!
Oh, and my readers have been asking for longer books for ages. SO that’s next. A full length story as I’ve mostly written shorter stories and novellas until now.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. No contest!
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