Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m retired and discovered how much I enjoy writing nine years ago. To date I have published 16 novels and several novellas. My husband and I travel throughout the western U.S. and take a cruise once in a while. When I do cruise, I leave a few of my books in the ship’s library. I love reading mysteries and watching science fiction movies. That’s when I decided to combine the two genres. I also have written travel mysteries about two of my cruise trips. I have one non-fiction novella that is doing well.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book (“The Night the Bridge Collasped,” a novella) is a true history story of a bridge collapsed in Idaho in 1971. I grew up in this small town of Post Falls and when someone reminded me of the occurence, I knew I had to write about it. The officer who responded to the accident on an old logging bridge across the Spokane River was a friend of my father’s. This is an accounting of how the town came together to help those who were affected. All proceeds from this book will be donated to the local town museum.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, after breakfast I sit down and just start writing. You see, I have either thought about the next scene beforehand or wrote it first in a notebook. During nanowrimo, I did over 3500 words in one day. The first time I wrote a book for nano, I finished it in 11 days.
I will mention that when I write I can visualize the story and the characters unfolding as if I’m viewing a movie. I’ve always had a strong imagination.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I enjoy Agatha Christie, Isaac Asimov, Mary Higgins Clark, Georgette Heyer, M.C. Beaton, Diane Mott Davidson, Rita Mae Brown, Robert A. Heinlein, Frank Herbert, Anne McCaffrey, J. A. Jance, and I’m sure many more
What are you working on now?
My latest book is Eye of the Throne, the second book in the Quest series. I first wrote the Eye of the Matrix about the future on Mars and the teens who travel to one of the alien’s planets. These two books are in the Young Adult category.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook groups do gain some buyers and followers. I finally hit 1000 followers to my FB author page. For my last book, I specifically told the Post Falls group about the non-fiction book and they helped me get enough sales to donate to the museum. Other books, I promote through my other FB page or genre related groups.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read as much as you can to get the flow and style of writing. Beta readers and an editor is paramount. I do use Grammarly and ProWriting Aid to catch my punctuation but a human reading your work is better after you have used those sites.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t tell everything at once, spread your story out to build it to a climax.
What are you reading now?
‘Death in the Stocks’ by Georgette Heyer.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to work on 30,000 words in the July Camp nanowrimo. I want to start my urban fantasy and cross paths with my next travel mystery. Whether it will be two separate books or one whole book is still up in the air. Those I’ll finish during the November nanowrimo.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
My 3 set, Star Traveler has my first, fourth, and fifth books. These enter into hard science fiction and a dark character. But if I were to choose another author, I would choose from the list I mentioned above.
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