Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written ten books (wow! That’s the first time I put down that number, as I’m just finishing up two more books). I love to say I’m a high-flying, deep-diving, life-loving author — and what’s true in my life is true in my books. My books go high, deep, and all points in between.
I’ve written ten books (wow! That’s the first time I put down that number, as I’m just finishing up two more books). I love to say I’m a high-flying, deep-diving, life-loving author — and what’s true in my life is true in my books.
When I’m not flying planes, scuba diving, climbing every mountain (on the back of my husband’s motorcycle) or riding the world’s fastest roller coasters, you can find me in my writing nest with a view of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains out the window. I’ve lived all over–from both oceans white with foam, to the prairie, and now to the mountain. Yes, a little backwards, but what the hey.
My bestselling and award-winning novels go as high and deep as I do—they’re profound yet funny; playful although poignant; heart-opening and heart-lifting; thought-provoking and inspiring; and edgy while universal. I’m also a screenwriter and award-winning filmmaker and humanitarian.
I know it’s all about genre these days, and mine is a little complicated. My novels could fall under women’s literature, powerhouse chick lit (hey! I heard that….Jane Austen’s books and The Help are considered chick lit, so I’m in very good company), romantic comedy, inspirational/metaphysical/visionary, and fantasy/science fiction—and for a couple of my books it’s all of these at the same time! The main thrust of my stories is taking an odd, convoluted situation (a starbeing ending up in Kansas, anyone?) and providing myriad deep insights with usually even more laughs.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Fresh off the Starship, about a starbeing who was supposed to end up in Washington, D.C., where she could be of service on a grand, geopolitical scale, but ended up in…Kansas!
I’ve wanted to write about something that takes place in Western Kansas ever since my husband – a former Kansas farmboy – took me there; I met his wonderfully charming relatives and fell in love with the land. I’m from the East Coast and lived on the West Coast for most of my adult life. When I tell people I lived in Kansas, their eyes glaze over…like I’m sure mine did at one point. I wanted to show these Kansas folks’ depth, sincerity, and wisdom – they’re definitely not the bunch of “hicks” so many may think.
I heard a line from the movie Starman many years ago – something along the lines of “You humans are at your best when you’re at your worst.” I’ve wanted to create my own starbeing for decades and have to look through her eyes to see how beautiful we humans can be and how amazing life on Earth is. It was really fun to have to imagine taking a sip of water for the first time as well as the many other fun things humans engage in.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t say I have any unusual writing habits, but I do have a few that work very well. First, I sit down at an uninterruptible, appointed time every workday. Second, I create a playlist for each book; after a while, as soon as I turn on the music, I’m right in mood and setting of the book – it’s Pavlovian. Even today, if I hear a song from the Angels on Overtime playlist from six or seven years ago, I’m back driving through the mountains of Idaho or down the LA freeway.
I guess my strangest habit is that I have a writing “nest” – a comfy sofa that faces out a window where I have a view of a grove of trees and a beautiful garden. I have a desk, too, but I never seem to write there. I put my laptop on a huge, thick cushion on my legs, and I’m more comfortable than at a desk plus my posture is better. I’ve written five books on that sofa. Oliver, our parrot, is right next to me enjoying the view, too, along with some neck scratches when I’m taking a break.
I generally write after breakfast and then spend the afternoons doing things like marketing work (which can be endless) and recording audiobooks. I’m converting a couple of my books into screenplays, and that sure takes a while.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Dan Brown and Kathleen McGowan, with their twists on what’s been accepted as history as well as the current status quo. Jean Houston is one of my sheros. I had the opportunity to work with/edit for Barbara Marx Hubbard when I was much younger, and it was like she picked me up by the scruff of the neck and lifted me up to a whole new level, saying, “You’re going to live way up here now.” I’m so grateful.
What are you working on now?
I put out two books last year and I’m expecting the same for this year. One is called The Life of My Love, which is about finding the love of your life (something I’ve done very well!). The second book is about three generations of women: an aging hippie flower child, a middle-aged arch conservative, and a trans woman college student—all under one roof. What could go right?
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Websites that are dedicated to readers are the best. Goodreads, Discount Booksy, All Author, of course Awesome Gang, and websites like that are better than Facebook and Twitter for ongoing marketing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing! Show up to, as the adage goes, “put the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair” at a pre-arranged, uninterruptable time every workday, and the book will get written. Even if you have only fifteen minutes a day, little by little a book can get done.
Some writers are plotters, where they outline and pre-arrange the book before writing it. I’m definitely not one of them. I write whatever wants to be written that day and then tie those pieces together.
For me the most important thing is being open to the music from the muse and the changes it might bring. I once said to a screenwriting professor that my writing surprises me sometimes. “You mean you say, ‘I can’t believe I just wrote that?’” she asked. The class laughed, and so did I. But…well…yes, I do mean that, LOL.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Persistence, persistence, persistence.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading WHERE THE FOREST MEETS THE STARS, by Glendy Vanderah, which is about…a starbeing! I honestly didn’t know that when I bought it on Bookbub. I was captivated by the cover. What a small world, since my last book was about a starbeing.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m finishing up two books, as I mentioned, and I have a sequel to Fresh off the Starship in mind. One of my books is getting pitched to traditional publishers, so that’s exciting. And no matter what happens with that, I’ll keep on writing, putting them out, writing some more, putting them out, too, and…..
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?
The dictionary, my book Mary’s Message (about Mary Magdalene and Jesus/Yeshua), and the latest Dan Brown and Kathleen McGowan books.
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