Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a mother of two living in Georgia. I’ve always loved writing but haven’t had the luxury of being able to write creatively since I was in high school. Once I graduated, I went on to ghostwrite articles for various websites and blogs, but it just wasn’t much fun. I finally took the plunge and put all of my energy into becoming an author, and it’s been a blast. I have written two books. One was a truly terrible romance that I won’t even mention, but my newest book is something I really care about.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Halfling Rises, and it’s my first official novel. One of many, I hope. Honestly, I’m not even sure what inspired it exactly. I just love all things fantasy related, and the novel poured out of me. I sat down to start a new book after I had published the unmentionable romance and decided I wanted to write a genre I cared a little more about. I started with a captive princess character, kind of like a Rapunzel scenario, and it escalated from there.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to have my earbuds in when I’m writing. They do nothing for blocking out sound and I’m not listening to anything through them, but if they’re not in my ears, I can’t focus.
I don’t know if this counts as an unusual habit, perhaps it’s more of a negative side effect, but I keep forgetting to eat! I’ll write all day and realize I skipped breakfast and lunch. It’s gotten to where the kids bring me snacks while I’m working.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Wow, this is a loaded question. Robert Jordan is hands down my number one favorite fantasy author, there’s not even any competition. I grew up reading The Wheel of Time and I think I’ve re-read that series probably 5 times or more over the course of my life so far. I don’t doubt that I’ll continue to re-read it. I’m also a fan of Terry Brooks, Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss and George R. R. Martin.
I feel like I take a little from Anne Rice in my prose. I like a little poetry in my writing, and she’s a master at that.
Philippa Gregory is my favorite romance author, but I am a little obsessed with the Tudor era of England’s history, so her books really scratched an itch for me.
What are you working on now?
I just finished the first chapter of the second book in The Eva Chronicles, a sequel to The Halfling Rises. It’s currently called The High Priestess and I think that title is going to stick, but I’m waiting to see what the book is about.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is my first go-round with book promotion, so I hope I can answer this better in the future.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get discouraged. There are so many roadblocks waiting to trip you up and slow you down, but persevere. No matter what.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I saw a meme recently, actually, and I guess it’s probably great advice because I think of it from time to time, especially as I’ve been going through the process of publishing a novel I care so much about. It took the word ‘fear’ and laid it out so it read Face Everything And Rise. I think that’s probably a great way to live every day.
What are you reading now?
I’m not reading anything. I’ve been worried about starting a book while I’m writing. I guess I’m afraid it will confuse me, somehow. But, I have Chase the Dark by Annette Marie in my kindle app that’s next on my list.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Once I finish The Eva Chronicles, I plan to dip my toe into urban fantasy and see what I can do there.
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?
Swan Song by Robert McCammon – my all-time favorite book. IT and The Stand by Stephen King – they’re super long, so it’ll take me some time to go through them. The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff – I think keeping the tao state of mind would make island living a little more tolerable.
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