What motivated you to become an author? : I want to share my take on the world, and writing gives me that opportunity. I can show you what I saw, and how I saw it, whether it be a innocent encounter between two people in love to the way the small hairs on my arm reacted when I walked into a particular room. I find myself hysterical, and try to convey that into my stories. I add puns and strange jokes whenever I can, so that there is balance.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? : I do. It was something that I wanted to happen, and eventually did. I think I was in the second grade, and I wrote a short story about receiving a letter from my grandmother telling me she was coming to see me. The story was full of excitement and how the letter made my day even brighter than it had been. I wish I still had that story.
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What’s the story behind your latest book? : Hydrangeas on the Lanai is s about a woman who has suffered tragically by losing her parents, then her husband. I wanted to create something that was similar to the classic Gothic Suspense novels my mom read when I was a kid. I even kept true to the style with the cover.
When did you first start writing? : I’ve always been writing stories, but never published until five years ago. It’s like anything, the first time is scary, putting yourself out there for scrutiny. I still get a flutter in my stomach , just before hitting the submit button.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing? : I grew up in a town of approximately 500 people, Shoshoni, WY. It’s right in the center of the State. Small towns are like people say they are, everyone knows your business. There isn’t a traffic light, but there isn’t much traffic to warrant one. The nights are dark, very dark. There are street lights but they don’t do much to cut the shadows lurking every where. My stories have darkness lurking, waiting to come in at the most unexpected moments.
What time of day do you usually do your writing? : I prefer in the evening, after the house has settle and things are quiet. The words explode from me at that time. But I am good to write at anytime. Working full-time puts a damper on it during the week, so I do what I can during my lunch break.
What are you working on next? : I’m currently working on two books; the third in the Circus Tarot Trilogy, and…well it’s a working title, Home. Home is about going home and restoration. My hometown has made it to Ghost Town status (I’m not sure how that works), and I want it to be seen the way I remember it, full of life and strangeness. Circus Tarot 3 is going to be a surprise, but I will say that it will answer a lot of questions. The biggest misconception with reading Circus Tarot or Page of Buckets is that you have to know the Tarot to understand what is going on, this is untrue. The characters are the cards, and if my job as an author is successful, you will know the Tarot. (I think it’s all worked out quite well.)
When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time? : Watching way too much TV, and reading (not at the same time). I like going on hikes, and have that available to me at anytime it strikes since I live in Colorado.
What is your writing process? : It depends on what I’m writing. My first book, The Second Plain, was just sitting down and going. The characters knew what they wanted to do before I did. Then there’s Hunger, Circus Tarot, and the current work in progress, Home, that has a bit of research, which I thoroughly enjoy. Once I have a strong sense of what I want to accomplish, I just go for it.
What are your favorite books, and why? : I love anything by Clive Barker. He writes with an eloquence that pulls me into his stories. My favorite of his is Weaveworld, such an amazing place with amazing people.
Besides being an author, what jobs do you currently hold, or have held in the past? : I am currently a User Acceptance Tester for a TV provider (no comment on which one). I am also a licensed Cosmetologist, which I walked away from 16 years ago and some days regret that I did. I still do hair on the side for a select set of friends and family. Maybe, one day I’ll get completely tired of the day the corporate world and go back to my roots (hair joke).
What is your e-reading device of choice? : I use my Surface 3 for reading using Kindle and Nook apps. I also use it for writing, so it covers all bases for me.
How do you approach cover design? : The cover needs to be as appealing as what’s inside, so I spend days trying different things. Getting opinions from people, then going back to the drawing board.
When beginning a new book, do you make a detailed outline, or just let it flow? : Hunger was the product of an outline, I had to try it once. I prefer letting it flow, because with the outline, I kept worrying about hitting each point in it. I always have an idea of where I plan to go, which doesn’t always happen as things change during the process that the original intended end point. I like to tell people that I let the characters decide what happens next.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you? : Finishing a story, and having it published. Seeing the ‘Print Proof’ is pretty great too.
Where can we find out more about your books? : My blog http://bizzarofiction.blogspot.com/p/books.html or your favorite online bookseller.
Is there anything else you would like to tell your fans? : I’m grateful to anyone that has read my books, whether they liked them or not. If you consider yourself a fan, I’m speechless but thankful.
