Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a stay at home, home-schooling mom who has written over 20 books across various genres including fiction, non-fiction, and self help. Writing horror and high octane thrillers are my personal favorite playgrounds. However, I also tend to write things that people need to know about (ex: depression, home schooling, etc…).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book is No Where To Be Found. It started out as my first attempt at a pure romance, but when I began weaving in the dramatic stuff a lot of suspense happened instead. This is one of my personal favorite writings that started out one way and wound up going in a completely different direction.
The inspiration for this book came from a segment about the ocean on our local weather station. While watching the waves beat on the edge of an island, the story and characters began to form. My muse can be very unpredictable at times.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure if it’s something that would be considered unusual. However, I create a rough outline before writing then fill in the blanks as I go along. After the story is finished and successfully published, I celebrate as if it were my first book.
Even now, the thrill of writing and publishing is as prominent as it was when I first started.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The most influential authors for me are Stephen King, John Connolly, John Saul, Patricia Cornwell, and V.C. Andrews.
The list of books that nurtured my own muse is so extensive it would take way too long to list them all. However, I will list my absolute favorites:
Stephen king: The Stand, IT, The Green Mile and Duma Key
John Connolly: The Killing Kind
John Saul: The Blackstone Chronicles
Patricia Cornwell: The entire Kay Scarpetta series
V.C. Andrews: The entire Cutler series.
These are some amazing works by some of the most amazing authors I can only dream of knowing. The wild rides they spin are what allowed me to realize that writing twisted and horrifying tales can be just as much fun as reading one.
What are you working on now?
I am a multitasker (ADD won’t let me focus on one thing at a time). I am currently working on 3 separate novels.
1.) Mirror Men (should be completed before this year is over) is inspired by an old wives tale- the old belief that seeing one’s reflection in the window of a hearse marks places the viewer on Death’s list.
2.) Unbound, which is inspired by legends in the ancient Dynasty Of China concerning a mirror kingdom that contains some of the world’s dead. (To be completed by the end of 2021.)
3.) Unit Of Corruption (To be completed very soon) is the sequel to Night Stalker. This story further exposes the corruption in the city of Midfield, Ohio. As the story moves through the ranks, murders take place that have Night Stalker evidence all around even though the actual MO of the current crimes is very different.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use all of my social media outlets like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Linkedin, and Tumblr. Blogging on my WordPress website is another avenue of promotion that has been quite useful.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you are writing to make a profit, stop now. If you’re writing for the pure joy of creating a world full of characters that set your mind and spirit free, don’t stop!
Writing should be done by those who have something to share with the world, whether it be fiction or non-fiction.
If being a writer of any caliber is simply who you are, then I encourage you to be careful of who and how you publish. There are several scams and vanity houses out there that are ready and willing to take advantage of new authors. Do your homework, research everything extensively, and most importantly enjoy the entire process from outline to published work!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My little brother, Michael, is a comedian and a podcaster who recently discovered the importance of taking a step back to take a look at what you’re doing. He knew I had recently gone through a lot of personal problems that inhibited the work I was trying to put out.
He told me: “Aim, don’t rush. If you work too quick to try to meet your own high standards you won’t have any fun at writing. If you don’t have fun writing, your readers won’t have fun reading.”
This is without a doubt the truest statement I have ever heard concerning writing. Hopefully, any writer who reads this will take my brother’s statement to heart so that they can do what they love without putting too much pressure on themselves.
What are you reading now?
My husband bought a book for me for Christmas called- To Sleep In A Sea Of Stars by Christopher Polini.
My husband doesn’t read book descriptions and though the book would be a romance or something similar.
When I dove in and began reading, he asked me what it was about. I explained to him that it was a Science Fiction space adventure with some thriller undertones (so far).
He apologized because he knows I don’t really get into space adventures of any kind. However, this particular book is absolutely amazing. I am about four chapters in and am loving every minute! I would encourage anyone (including my husband) to check this book out.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I honestly have no idea. I guess my goal is the same as every other author who believes in their work. I hope that seeing one of my stories become a movie is somewhere in the next chapter of my career.
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?
I would bring Duma Key by Stephen King (there’s no such thing as reading this one too many times), To Sleep In A Sea Of Stars by Christopher Polini (I can’t wait to read the next chapter as it is!), An Alfred Hitchcock collection (any one will do. You can’t go wrong with AH!), and of course the book my daughter got for me for Christmas- A Tale Of Witchcraft by Chris Colfer (I haven’t cracked the cover yet, but the description is awesome! This is what I will be reading when I finish To Sleep In A Sea Of Stars!)
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