Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m just a run-of-the-mill every day mom! I’m crafty and enjoy being creative whenever I can, but mostly, I’m just a homebody who likes to be home with my family, comfy and happy. I started writing a little over three years ago and have been loving the creative process! Writing has allowed me to meet so many people in a world I never knew even existed! I had no idea that romance readers were such a united group! And so much fun!! I like to laugh and be “naughty” when I can be, because life is short and if we can’t laugh at ourselves, we’ve lost!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest published book is “My Schmidt Smells Like Roses” Hahahaha! It’s actually the third book in a novella series called “The Schmidt Load” series. (Book 1: You Don’t Know Jack Schmidt, and Book 2: Schmidt Happens.) You meet Jack Schmidt in book 1 and follow his adventure as he decides it’s time for him to settle down and find a good woman that he can spend the rest of his life with. Jack’s character was created in a previous romantic comedy I wrote entitled “Hole Punched”. Jack is the best friend of one of Hole Punched’s main characters. You don’t have to read Hole Punched first to understand The Schmidt Load series, but you WILL enjoy it more if you do!
The book I’m currently working on is based very loosely on a true story. Ripped from the headlines! (I know, can you tell I’m a Law & Order fan?) The headline and story stuck with me and I started thinking what it would be like if I were reading about it in a book, so I decided to write one 🙂 We’ll see how it goes!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Other than the fact that I don’t write everyday (I WISH I could), I don’t think I do anything unusual. I have a small book team that helps me to discuss story lines etc. so I like to send them chapters at time when I’m writing so they can make sure I’m staying on course and still making sense. They help make writing fun and they get free books out of it so it’s a win win! I wouldn’t be here without them, though. I appreciate what they do for me more than they’ll ever know.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Colleen Hoover wrote a blog entry once that changed the way I wanted to view my life. I may never be the person she is (I don’t want to be really. She’s is Colleen, and I am me.) but if I can one day make even half the impact on people that she has made, I’ll call that a success. She’s the reason I started to write so I guess she gets all the credit.
Some of my favorite authors that have influenced my writing style are K. Bromberg, Tara Sivec, Meghan Quinn, S.C.Stephens, Debra Anastasia, Gail McHugh, and so so so many others.
What are you working on now?
I spent last year working on romantic comedies and so now I’m back to working on a contemporary romance drama that as I said above, was sort of, kind of, taken from a headline story I heard about in the news one day. I’m finding that a story can be formed from so many different real-life situations and it’s fun to think outside the box and run with it. I’m really excited about it and hope it will be finished before summer rolls around 🙂
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As of right now all my books can be found on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. As for promoting, word of mouth and fan-sharing seems to help the best!! Some websites are better than others, but I find that it’s all a crap-shoot. I just have to hope to get lucky enough for people to give my books a try and like them enough to keep reading!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Don’t give up. It’s WAY harder than you think it is and no, it doesn’t pay you thousands of dollars a month from the get-go…and sometimes not even years later. It’s a process.
Just keep writing and keep learning and keep evolving.
And ALWAYS be appreciative of your fans!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Decide what to be and go be it.
What are you reading now?
I just finished PRICK, by Sabrina Paige and enjoyed it a lot! Now I’m back to writing though so I’m really only reading my own words. I’ll be grateful to be able to dive into another book soon! My to-be-read stack is GROWING!!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Actually, I’m considering using this next work in progress to try and get into the traditional publishing world. I’ve heard stories on both ends of the spectrum (it’s great, it sucks etc.) so I figure the only way to truly learn is to experience it myself. Maybe it’ll be the step I need to take to make my dream more of a reality. Maybe it won’t. But I’m not afraid to at least give it a try!
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?
Maybe Someday – Colleen Hoover
Driven series – K. Bromberg
Walking Disaster – Jamie McGuire
The Mother Road – Meghan Quinn
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