Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a film and television writer/producer. I was born in Boston and currently live in South Pasadena, California with my husband and writing partner, James Bruner, and our family.
MISTER D: A Children’s Picture Book About Overcoming Doubts and Fears is my first book. It is an empowering, entertaining fable for 4-9 year olds about overcoming doubts and fears and has been approved for use in California public schools by the office of California’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
My husband, James, and I, had the opportunity to meet REE DRUMMOND, THE PIONEER WOMAN, at a recent book signing here in the Los Angeles area. Ree is one of the first people to have read MISTER D.
A romantic drama, “Ice Dreams”, written by my husband and I for The Hallmark Channel, was nominated for the $100,000 Epiphany Prize for Television by MovieGuide.org. It plays frequently on The Hallmark Channel and The Hallmark Movie Channel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
MISTER D: A Children’s Picture Book About Overcoming Doubts and Fears, is my latest book.
MISTER D was inspired by my daughter.
Like so many other parents, I used to take my daughter, Jennifer, to her Karate lessons several times a week. It was a big part of our lives. She took Karate from one of Chuck Norris’ senior Black Belts. Chuck was active in his schools and we used to see him all the time at the belt tests.
One day before one of her advanced belt tests, Jennifer nervously said to me, “What if I make a mistake during the test?”
I felt for her. She looked so scared. I think she was nervous that she would let me down. I wouldn’t have been disappointed, of course, not if she had tried her best.
I asked her, “Do you know everything you need to know for the next belt?”
“Yes, I do.” she said.
I then asked, “Have you practiced?” Of course, I knew that she had practiced since I always watched her class, but I was trying to make a point.
She smiled and said, “Yes, Mom, I have practiced a lot.”
I told her that when you have doubts and fears then you can’t focus. And when you’re not focused, that’s when you can make mistakes. I suddenly thought of something. “Why don’t you think of your doubts as Mister D… During your test, if you feel scared, just say in your mind — Go away Mister D!”
Jennifer looked at me and nodded. I could tell that she liked the idea.
She tested and did really well. After it was over, she ran up to me, showed me her new belt, and said, “It worked!”
Jennifer was so excited. I was too. I was so happy that something I thought of to help her, had actually helped her.
I told my husband, James, about it later that evening. “You should write it as a children’s book,” he said.
I told him that I didn’t know if I could.
He then said to me, “You better tell Mister D to go away.”
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure if it is unusual, but I like to act out the different characters thoughts and dialogue at times. It probably comes from my acting background. I act it out in my mind, most of the time, but there are times when I actually get up and physically act it out.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As far as children’s books – there are too many to list, or to remember.
I tend to read lots of different genres – self-help books, thrillers, cozy detective books, light paranormal and dramas are some of them. Some authors are: Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Christiana Miller, Maddy Malhotra, M. Louisa Locke, John Michael Hileman, Tracey Garvis Graves, Peter Mayle, Claude M. Bristol, Sue Ann Jaffarian.
What are you working on now?
I am working on the first in a new series of children’s books with my husband.
James and I are also completing the final draft of our first fiction novel, a detective thriller.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new at the marketing part of it, but some of the sites that I like are: authormarketing.com & awesomegang.com. My book is too short to use Bookbub.com (it must be at least 36 pages long, I think) but I have heard that that site is a good one for marketing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The most challenging part of writing is to make sure you set aside the time to keep writing. It can get overwhelming because there is so much information out there to learn and so many hours of research about marketing, etc. It’s a must to make sure you allocate time for writing and then stick to it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To write what you love because it translates onto the pages.
What are you reading now?
Love and Other Distractions (Short Story Anthology)
What’s next for you as a writer?
Once we get our first detective thriller novel completed, then we will start working on the sequel, right away.
Also, we will be working on other children’s books.
I am also involved in the entertainment business as a scriptwriter, so I hope to have some assignments.
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?
How does one answer this question? I have changed my mind about ten times already. 🙂
“Swiss Family Robinson” would probably be a smart book to take since I could learn how to survive from it.
I might want to catch up on some of the classics. It’s been awhile since I have read them.
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