Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a twenty-something chick with a love of anything fantasy, something I was first introduced to when Narnia hit theaters back in the early 2000’s. I’ve written six books, four of which are published, and I don’t think I need to tell you that there are several more stewing in the back of my brain, most of which are fantasy based. But I do more than write. I also play guitar and compose music, and I recently discovered I have a knack for baking, and hiking is a favorite pass time. Fun fact about me: I’m dyslexic. Yes, you read that right. A dyslexic writer. My motto is to ‘find inspiration in every situation’, so, I’ve never let my uniqueness stand in the way of penning stories.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘The King’s Quest’ is the title of my latest book, and honestly, I have no idea what inspired it. I remember just sitting down one day and picking up a pen. It’s like I just woke up with this idea to write a story about a girl who could… Around chapter four, I stopped trying to control how the story went and let it write itself, and to be very honest, it’s completely different from what I had first imagined. I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I ‘ll just say that Thane was a very unexpected character.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I used to write everything by hand. The first three books I wrote, I used whatever pen I could get my hands on and a notebook. Of course, this meant it took forever to write anything. I just recently started using my computer for writing, but there are days that I still miss writing by hand, something I gave up only because my wrist can’t take it anymore. I’ve always felt that a blank sheet of paper is inspiring, while a cursor blinking at you is just daunting, but part of being a writer, a good writer, is learning to adapt, learning to keep an open mind and be willing to try anything and everything.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Inkheart Trilogy (Cornelia Funke) made a big impact on me and to this day, those are still my favorite books, and are actually what inspired me to become a writer in the first place. To me, Ms. Funke is a superhero, because when you crack open one of her books, you’re immediately lost in the world she created, and you forget about everything else. I actually cried when I finished the series. She has inspired me to always write, and to always give my very best, and one day, I hope someone out there picks up one of my books and is able to be taken to a different land, experience it like they’re really there. I can’t think of a greater compliment.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on the second book in the Adventures of Petra and Ryder series, as well as a comedic murder mystery, not to mention another fantasy novel that will tie in with Petra and Ryder’s story.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m pretty new to promoting my books (this is actually my first site to use) but honestly, Facebook has been a great help, as well as word-of-mouth. Building up a following for a blog is always a great idea, because once you have that audience, you’ll find you have a family on the blogging site, people who really want to help promote and support you.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Hustle. Always be looking for new ways to promote your book, and never, EVER let anyone degrade you or your work, and I’m not talking about a negative review, I’m talking about people making you feel like rubbish for striving to be a writer. Ignore them. Let them stew in their negative juices, but you just keep doing you. If you know in your heart that you are a writer, don’t listen to anything else. Look for people who will encourage and support you, and the naysayers? They’re actually a help. Use them as inspiration for a character, use them as an example of what not to be. Oh, and don’t stop reading. Read as much as you can, study other writer’s work, and always strive to do and be better.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Umm, besides ‘don’t eat a jar of pickles if the juice is cloudy,’ I really can’t say. Unless it’s my own. Find Inspiration in EVERY Situation.
What are you reading now?
I am currently working on Lee Child’s 61 Hours, a Jack Reacher Novel. I’m loving every bit of it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d love to say a movie contract and a nice condo on the beach… I don’t know what’s next for me. More books, of course, and hopefully a workshop or two, but for now, I’m just focusing on one thing at a time.
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 Blue Nowhere by Jeffery Deaver for thrills, a Lucky O’Toole book by Deborah Coonts for laughs, Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke for somewhere else to go, annnnddd… Cheaper by the Dozen, for all three in one.
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