Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a single mother to three children. My book was initially inspired by the adoption of my children. I had planned to cover a lot of what they had gone through early in life and how even the earliest of traumas can have a lasting impact.
I discovered that was too hard for me emotionally. So, I turned their story into a psychological thriller. There are some key points that are real, but I will leave it up to the reader to decide what those might be.
I have published two books. One is a children’s book that is only available on Kindle- Angel and the Fox.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is entitled One Phone Call. My children were my inspiration for this book. I would often go into work and tell stories about some of the things my children had done. People kept telling me I should write their story. I started writing my book fresh on the heels of what was an amicable, but still emotional divorce. I was now a single mom with an eight, ten, and twelve year old and I worked odd hours because I was a 911 dispatcher.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I have any unusual writing habits. I do currently have about six different Google docs started for different writing projects. Whenever an idea strikes me, I make sure to write it down.
Sometimes I will have an idea for a much later portion of my story so I will make notes further down on the document. I think probably the strangest writing habit is that when I get a thought I have to record it whether it’s by writing it or voice recording it.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Kristin Hannah has been a huge influence on me. I love her character development and the way she sets a mood. James Patterson has also been a great influence on me.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a thriller that involves a single mother of two. Her son is in a long-term psychiatric treatment facility that forces her to move to a small town in a very rural area of North Carolina. When she moves to the small town she learns just how scary mental illness can be.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far I have only published on Kindle Direct Publishing. I am still working on book promotions, but Awesome Gang does an amazing job getting books in front of readers! I would definitely recommend signing up with them!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you want your work to be seen, you need to understand that the hard work is not the writing. The hard part doesn’t start until you begin to market your book. Have a plan. The old adage: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail, is so true. You can have the best book on the market, but unless you can get it in front of readers it won’t go anywhere.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Rock Thomas says, “When you change your words, words create your world.” As a writer, words are my world. It is so very important to make sure that world is a good one!
What are you reading now?
Right now I am reading two books: Stephen King’s Dr. Sleep, and Victor Methos’s A Killer’s Wife.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to keep writing. I have a children’s book that I am collaborating on with my sister. She is an incredible artist, so I have asked her to create the artwork for me. It should be great! The book is for my nephew and was inspired by his love of llamas.
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?
That’s a really hard question. How do you narrow it down to three when there are millions to choose from? I think the first book would have to be Little Women. I have loved that book since I was nine. The second book would be One Child by Torey L. Hayden. It was published in 1980 and tells the story of an amazing teacher who works with special needs children. Hopefully I will have a copy of some type of DIY book that teaches me how to be MacGuyver and build a seaworthy boat/raft out of whatever is handy.