Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a scotch-drinking, cigar smoking, full-time Indie writer living in the Tampa bay area, with little to no political correctness filter. I refuse to own a pair of flat shoes and even wear high-heel wedges to the beach. When I’m not sighing aloud in pleasure over the sunset, or hanging with friends and family, or moaning at the sexy lines of a classic car, I am writing. I laugh every day, and find there is never a reason to lie. Always tell the truth, which is usually so outrageous no one ever believes it.
I love golf, tennis, horses, boating and the ocean. I’ll argue to my death on French vs. domestic red wine, and am highly opinionated, based on what I believe is experience. I don’t work out in gyms because I’d rather be outside, and do avoid processed foods. While my lifestyle could be criticized by some, I’m completely comfortable in my own skin and believe you should never, ever waste an opportunity.
To date I’ve written four books, How To Steal A Highlander, His Viking Bride, Wicked Wicked Passage, and Firewater. I’m especially proud of the audiobook version of His Viking Bride and will be doing more audiobooks in the future. This is largely inspired by my father, who was a voracious reader, but is now legally blind.
I am actively working on nine more books, a few of those I’ll talk about more in this interview. Romance is definitely my first love, but I do cross genres into straight fiction, biography/memoir and erotica. I don’t read one genre, so why would I author in one genre?
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release How To Steal A Highlander was inspired by my love of a country where scotch was invented, (or as I like to say ‘Scotchland’) LOL, as well as the rich cultural history and fantastic vistas of Scotland. Besides, what greater lure is there than the strains of bagpipes and a kilt-wearing alpha male?
I also wanted to challenge myself as an author using the time travel aspect. Our hero from the past comes to modern times and our heroine from now travels to the past. It forced me to take a look at everyday things from a different perspective. Besides, making the heroine a thief, provided the twist I wanted to showcase not all heroines are upstanding, altruistic people, but still deserve their happily ever afters.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Define “unusual.” LOL.
Everything about my habits are considered abnormal when compared to a standard forty-hour work week. My creative bandwidth is widest between twilight and dawn, so I’m a dusk-to-dawn writer. I write every day. I’ve found scotch (in the right sipping dosages) sharpens plots, and ruby port is fantastic for releasing emotive expressions for a character. And yes, this formula has been perfected through research. Vodka? No. That’s for nightclubs and cocktail parties.
I also need silence. Silence is completely necessary for me. If I’m interrupted, I find it takes fifteen to thirty minutes to return to the creative headspace to continue working. If I do put on music to write to, I’ve found lyrics distract me, but Mozart helps for action scenes.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Almost too many to name as I think all authors influence me. My top picks are Mark Twain, Homer, Robert Ludlum, Carl Hiassen, Pablo Neruda, Ernest Hemingway, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Salman Rushdie, and J.R.R. Tolkein.
What are you working on now?
We are in beginning stages of production on How To Steal A Highlander, the audiobook. I’m also working with a local chef doing a biography cookbook, where we meet once a week and he tells me the life stories behind his dishes. That is a really fun project and should be complete closer to the end of 2018.
I’m putting the final touches on two full-length erotica novels, Wicked Wicked Days, and Wicked Wicked Wilderness. I’m finishing first drafts of a erotic allegory novella, Thousand Kisses Deep (an homage to Dante’s Inferno), and a romantic suspense trilogy Bishop’s Pawn, Bishop’s Peril, and Bishop’s Prize. And yes, I work on all of them simultaneously.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
First and foremost I love Twitter. Does it translate to sales? I’m not so certain, but I’ve found the author community there incredibly inspiring. I believe strengthening your relationship with bloggers is probably the best way to promote as an Indie author. I don’t think I can pinpoint ONE, but with any marketing or promotions, repetition is the key. You can’t make a determination if something is working or not by using it one time.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read. Read. Read some more and then write. Stick with it, eventually you WILL finish. Don’t listen to compliments from your friends and family, but get some writer’s groups to critique your work, and surround yourself with authors who are better than you.
If you want to know where to improve, you need to know where you suck. Honest feedback helps you learn and grow. Then get yourself a really great editor.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never leave the house without lipstick. LOL.
Seriously, I’m assuming you mean advice regarding writing? The best advice is ‘keep your butt in the chair.’ I now have writer’s butt, it is a chronic, but curable condition, and I’m looking into reviews and recs for stand up desks. Hoping to find one with room enough for the keyboard, monitor and a full bar.
What are you reading now?
I read one or two books a day. No, I really do not sleep much. Lately I intersperse classic literature with books such as alien menage romance and twisted fairytales.
What’s next for you as a writer?
A lot more promotions! In May I did a television spot for our local ABC news, and learned firsthand how much fun that was. So we’ll be doing more publicity and podcasts in the coming year, along with more promo videos.
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?
Hmmm, stranded on a desert island? First of all, I’ve already decided my vanity won’t allow a rescue… desert island with no razor, moisturizer or hair products? Nope. I’m definitely in for the long haul. 😉
My practical self would want to ensure I had The Complete Outdoor Survival Guide, and the next year’s Farmer’s Almanac so I could prep for hurricanes. Of course I’d need the entire collection of The Far Side comics to keep my sanity and throw in the complete comedies of Shakespeare. With all that time on my hands, I’d probably come up with new meaning for old English words. 😉
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