Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Dallas, TX. I love Texas. The weather is crazy, but the people are friendly. I graduated from the University of North Texas with a BA of Arts in Spanish. Mexico is my second home. My husband is from there, and I have family down there. I love the culture, the people and of course the food. I have three wonderful children and I love hiking and spending time outdoors when I am not writing.
Fantasy is my preferred genre to write in. There are no limits in fantasy beyond my own imagination. Anything can happen. Sunwalker is my debut novel. It is a YA Vampire novel. The first in a trilogy. Nightwalker, book 2, is set to be released in Spring 2018. I also just released a MG Fantasy novel entitled the Portal Keeper, in December 2017.
Also a few weeks ago I published my first non-fiction ebook. It is a quick easy read, about getting out of debt. I love the financial weight that has been lifted since becoming debt free and decided I wanted to share that. A Penny at a Time is a short 23 page ebook with 9 simple steps that anyone can follow.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Portal Keeper is my newest fiction book. It is a fantasy adventure about a young boy, Ajax, who through an accident sends the Prince into a magical portal. Ajax must enter the portal or risk the wrath of the King, as none have ever returned who have entered.
I have previously written a YA Vampire novel called Sunwalker, the first in a trilogy. However my children are younger, and the first book is a little too scary for them. I wanted to write an adventure they could read. My kids were my first beta readers. It was really fun to see their reaction as the story progressed, and their disappointment when I wasn’t writing fast enough for them.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I will write anywhere. If an idea, or line of dialog hits me in the middle of the night, I will get up and write it down. Too often I have thought, oh, I will remember that in the morning. However when dawn arrived the idea had disappeared.
I need noise when I am writing. Not someone talking to me, as that would be to distracting, but the tv or music turned on low. I just need a little hum in the background. Chocolate is always a favorite too.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Brandon Mull is one of my favorite authors. He writes middle grade fantasy. They are just fun, imaginative stories. I love to read them out loud to my kids. They get mad when I read ahead without them. But to me that is the mark of a good book, you don’t want to put it down. He does a great job at painting a picture that draws you in from the very beginning.
What are you working on now?
Right now Nightwalker book 2, of the Sunwalker Trilogy, is in final edits. I am working on finishing up writing Darkwalker, book 3. I am also just beginning to write the sequel to the Portal Keeper. I also have a younger beginner’s chapter book in the hands of my beta readers. So it’s an exciting time. I keep pretty busy, and bouncing from one project to the next keeps me on my toes.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Really the best method is connecting with other authors in your genre. Don’t seem them as competition. Instead look at them as a resource, and be sure to reciprocate any help they offer. Generally speaking if someone likes a fantasy series they will continue to read fantasy. The same applies to all genres. I also spend a fair amount of time in facebook groups and on goodreads.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Find readers who will find all the faults in your book. It is also a great idea if you can find other authors who write in your genre and beta swap with them. Don’t let the negative reviews stop you from pursuing a career in writing if it’s your passion.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Start a blog. It’s a great way to get followers. Have guest posts, do author interviews and I just started something I haven’t seen done before. I am doing illustrator interviews occasionally. There are a lot of new authors out there who have no idea how to get started working with an illustrator or what is expected on their side. Swing by and check it out. www.authorstsanchez.blogspot.com
What are you reading now?
Sadly nothing at the moment. However the next book on my list is Aqua by Kathy Armstrong Walters. I have heard great things, and book 2 is coming out soon, and I want to be ready.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am thinking of branching out and writing outside of fantasy. I have an fbi thriller I wrote a few years ago that is collecting dust. It needs a lot of work, but I’d like to see if I can write in other genres. That will be my new project after I finish the Sunwalker Trilogy.
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 Lord of the Rings trilogy would probably be on my list along with The Book of Mormon.
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