Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since I was a little kid. I had always loved books, but when I discovered that people like me sitting down and writing our crazy ideas was where books came from, I was immediately in. My first efforts were pretty awful, as I think most writers’ are, but I kept at it, and I got better. I have four full-length novels and two novellas out at the moment and am working on a fifth full-length novel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is the third in my vampire series, titled “Dead of Night.” The first two books have the word “Dark” in them prominently, and at first I wanted to keep with that titling, but I quickly realized I would run out of titles that could contain the word “dark.”
I am a big fan of Depeche Mode, and one of their songs contains the line “we are the dead of night.” I knew I couldn’t use the whole line — partly, too long; partly, plagiarism, but I loved the phrase “dead of night.”
My main character is going through possibly the worst time in her life during the course of the book — the deepest part of her eternal night, so to speak. “Dead of Night” just seemed to fit.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do some weird stuff, but I feel like all authors do. If I’m having trouble visualizing a scene or the characters reactions to it, I will talk to myself in their voices. I also talk myself through scenes out loud in a director’s voice — something I didn’t realize I did until my husband laughingly pointed it out.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many! My first favorite books as a child were the Chronicles of Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, and The Hobbit. My vampire influences were of course Interview With the Vampire and Vampire: the Masquerade, but also pretty much anything written by P.N. Elrod, her Vampire Files series especially. I also deeply love the Otherworld series by Kelly Armstrong, and am a Neil Gaiman fangirl.
What are you working on now?
I have one book about faeries at the moment, and I am working on a second book to turn it into a series. The current working title is “Half-Human.” We’ll see if that sticks,but so far I like it.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am just getting started with all that, I have no idea!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up, never give up! This is a hard road, but if you’re serious about it, you can make things happen.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write what you know — but don’t be afraid to learn something new if you want to write about it.
What are you reading now?
The newest book in the Newford series by Charles de Lint. I love his world.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing!! I am planning a fourth book in the vampire series after the faerie story.
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?
Um, I would probably take books on how to survive and get off a desert island. Then I could read whatever I wanted once I got back to civilization. 😉
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