Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
The oldest of six children, I grew up in New York City. As a child, I escaped my noisy siblings by voraciously reading every book in my parents’ collection and every romance novel I could check out of the public library. My tastes later expanded to include classics, spy novels, and thrillers. Inspired by the stories I’ve read, I began writing poetry and song lyrics and even tried to write a fantasy novel at the tender age of 13. I began writing novels as an adult during National November Writing Month in 2007 and have been chugging along ever since. When I’m not writing, I practice law in Miami, Florida.
“Just Dreams” is the only book I’ve published so far; however, I’ve written the second book in the series – “Dreams Deferred” and have started on the third. I’ve also written another book which will be published next year.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my novel is “Just Dreams.” I am a civil trial attorney by profession and a romantic by heart. “Just Dreams” was inspired by a combination of factors including my dream to write and publish a novel, my being a romantic, and my profession. Just can be seen as short for justice.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t call them unusual. I tend to get more writing done when I’m sitting in cafes with my writers group and the head of the group cracks the whip by leading us in writing sprints – which are timed intervals in which we are encouraged to get as many words on the page as possible. The idea being to whip out a first draft and to fix it later. Of course, it helps to outline the book beforehand so that the editing process is not too painful.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I would say books by Nora Roberts, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, and Robert Ludlum, among others. I have eclectic tastes.
What are you working on now?
In terms of writing, I’m working on the third book in my Brooks Sisters Dreams Series – “Caged Dreams” – which is scheduled to be published in May or June, 2015.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know yet. This is my first book and thus, my first time trying to promote a book. I’ll have to experiment to find the best method.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep working on your books and finish them. Don’t let anything or anybody get in your way. It’s worth it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You can edit a rough draft, you can’t edit a blank page. Get the draft done. Nora Roberts said that.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading a fascinating book by an author named Marjorie Belson called “Nothing is Promised.” It’s a memoir of a quintessential New Yorker who is diagnosed with breast cancer the day after her son’s wedding. As she mends from her surgery, 9/11 takes place and her son enlists in the military and is deployed to the Persian Gulf. She had me laughing out loud and crying on an airplane while travelling for business. That’s highly unusual for me as I’m not known for being the most emotionally expressive person.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to finish writing and editing and publishing the remainder of the books in my Brooks Sisters Dreams series as well as the single title suspense novel I ‘ve written which is set in New York and Liberia. Then, I’ll try my hand at a movie script for that book.
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 first two books in J.D. Robb’s “In Death” series and the first two books in Tom Clancy’s “Net Force” series.
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