Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Some say I’m a storyteller, scene weaver, truth stretcher. I say I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, friend. Storyteller. Lover of beaches and dancing souls. I tell stories of wounded women in seemingly hopeless situations. Stories that sometimes frighten me to tell. I believe all women are remarkable and strong. Warriors who find the courage to escape. To take back their lives. When the time is right. When they can.
I’ve written four books, three fiction and one non-fiction. My protagonists are strong women, sometimes they don’t know it yet, who face controlling mothers or spouses with mental or physical abuse issues, substance addiction, or sex addiction. My books explore family secrets, sometimes dark, which not only affect the lives of the secret keeper but also their succeeding generations of daughters and granddaughters.
I grew up along the Forgotten Coast of Florida. That’s most likely why my books are set in small towns in that intriguing area. Although my stories address series issues, my Southern humor pops up quite often.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Bed, Breakfast & Bedbugs.” I can’t tell you what actually inspired it. Typically some crazy book title flashes through my mind, and I write a story about it. I think that’s how this book came about. The story changed several times during the writing process. I thought of a quaint bed and breakfast and the crazy people who were permanent residents—each one with a unique quirk. In this book, one has Alzheimer’s and drifts in and out of reality. One is a retired preacher who misquotes Bible verses. A third is a young artist with absence seizures who freezes into a statue without warning. Each character helps the protagonist’s journey. (There are none of those nasty little bed bugs that bite in this story)
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I have any unusual writing habits. I prefer to write in my office, sometimes with music—depending on the scene I’m writing. It’s often difficult to sit for long due to back issues. My husband gave me a wonderful Christmas present, however, and the recliner allows me to write for much longer periods. We set it up in my office, and I would be lost without it.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I probably should refer to one of the great classic authors like Virginia Woolfe or William Faulkner, both I love, but one author who has influenced me significantly is Jean M. Auel, author of the Earth Children’s series (Clan of the Cave Bear) set in prehistoric Europe. It’s not that I love reading about the interactions of the Cro-magnon people with the Neanderthals. It’s her incredible command of storytelling, her dedication to researching, and her ability to write that had a great impact on me and definitely encouraged me to be an author.
Three of my favorite authors who inspire me are Kristin Hannah, Diane Chamberlain, and Elin Hilderbrand.
What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on “The Blossom Inlet Series.” The series simply happened. I was writing a standalone, “Bed, Breakfast & Bedbugs,” when I realized each character had his or her own dark secret, so why not tell those stories. Ivy Jane was the first Lady Van Leer, who came to America in 1908 and the one who built the Blossom Inlet estate. I’m offering a free novella, written in journal style, about her struggles and how she felt her actions caused Blossom Inlet to be cursed. “Ivy Jane’s Journal: The Beginning of Blossom Inlet.” I have four other books in the series in different stages from first draft to editing stages. These characters live in my mind, and I can’t wait to get their stories on paper.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There are so many wonderful promotion sites—like Awesome Gang. Some are free and many have reasonable costs. I think it takes a lot of research to determine the best places to promote our genre. Landing a BookBub spot is one of the best for actual book purchases. It’s all about finding what fits our book and being consistent and persistent in promoting.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Getting the story from your head to your computer or paper. Without the words, you’ll never have a published book. Learning the craft. There are a great number of informative workshops and classes to help you develop your skills. With the proper understanding of how to write, those words you typed into your computer will come to life. Not allowing that nasty imposter syndrome to control you. Instead, tell yourself you are not a fraud. You have talent. You have skills. You can write an amazing book. Not one successful author achieved success without putting words on a page. Most all successful authors will tell you they have, at one time or another, experienced the effects of imposter syndrome. Be consistent. Form a habit to write every day. Lastly, avoid comparing yourself to other writers.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just write.
What are you reading now?
“The Last House on the Street” by Diane Chamberlain. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Highly recommend it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Getting this “The Blossom Inlet Series” completed and moving on to writing other books.
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 don’t know about what books I would take with me, but I surely hope one would be a book about how to survive being stranded on a desert island.
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