Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Kansas, born and raised a country girl. I moved around a lot, but never left my hometown. Though, I hope to one day. I am the oldest of three and take my role with my siblings very seriously. Though that role changes a lot. I have a wonderful mother, who also enjoys writing and does her best to support my work. My adoptive father is also a supportive figure, who I’ve grown to look to as my real father, regardless of blood.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The full name is Watchers of Watchmen: A Rise in the Resistance. However, it is still in the editing process.
I first had an idea for a dystopia book when I was a freshman in high school. Though I could never flesh the idea out. That was until I had a dream where everything fell into place. Characters told me their names, and flashes of their adventures flew through my mind. Of course, I still had to edit this dream quite a lot, but that is where the idea came from.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I really start writing, and am writing several pages at a time, I tend to stand up.
It helps me take things more seriously.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh so many. My top favorites will always be Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling and the Warrior series by Erin Hunter. I don’t know if they influenced my writing, as much as helped influence me to become a writer.
What are you working on now?
I am using this interview as a way to procrastinate editing my first book actually. Which is Watchers of Watchmen: A Rise in the Resistance. It is a dystopia styled Young Adult read that has a strong female character. There is a little sci-fi thrown in, but nothing outrageous.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I talk to everyone about my book. Even when I am at my day job, waiting for something or someone, I constantly tell people “I am writing a book, wanna hear about it?”
They seem intrigued, (maybe it’s because I am young, maybe it’s because I am so forward about it) and then they let me talk.
Facebook has become my best friend too. There are so many marketing methods on Facebook, whether it be creating pages, groups, events, or tagging your friends. It can be incredibly helpful, if even motivating.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
As a new author, I can’t say much here.
But I always remind people: I write for myself. If others enjoy it, then that is great too, but that isn’t why I write. I write because I have a story to tell.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I am going to take this as a question that goes beyond writing advice.
Stand for something… that is the best advice I have ever heard. Without a purpose in our lives, we tend to fall apart and lose ourselves. If we stand for something, then we have something worth fighting for, something to hold onto in the dark.
What are you reading now?
Actually, I am reading a couple books on how to obtain a literary agent and how to draft a query letter. They are incredibly informative.
In my spare time though, I also read bits and portions of The Lucky One, by Nicholas Sparks.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Trying to work out getting a literary agent for my first work. This is my first time at the rodeo, and I have a lot… A LOT… of research to complete.
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?
They would all have to be things I haven’t read yet, so I’ll give you genres.
1: A nonfiction book on how to survive. Not only because I am stranded, but because I love survival guides.
2: Something inspirational.
3: The Bible (I guess that is a specific one)
4: A Young Adult action book.
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