Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Mesa, Arizona and have battled anxiety, depression and PTSD from an early age. After being diagnosed with Graves’ Disease and informed that I wouldn’t live to see the age of 20, I lived my life in anger and bitterness until I woke up on my 20th birthday, a mom, and realizing that I didn’t have to live that way anymore. My life was finally mine and I fought hard to create a positive outlook, and now I’m following my dreams while assiting others on their mental health journey. So far, I have written and published two books in one series and I’m currently working on the third as well as pre-writing the rest of the series, and some secret side projects based on mental health, and other fiction novels.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The entire series is called The Maiden of The Four Horsemen. To be perfectly honest, I’m not quite sure how I stumbled upon the idea. I started making my first story character with my friends when I was 13. They were going to teach me how to do written role plays, and I somehow knew this character as if I had known her all my life. The beginning of her story was what I had never written out, and that is how the series began coming to life. Starting with Book 1: The Fallen.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write late at night when everyone in the house is asleep, and Often I play the sound of a rainstorm on my phone while I play music on my computer. It helps me get into the right “head space.” I also love to have iced coffee with me to push past my creative limits. I usually do my best writing when slightly sleep-deprived.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Way of the peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman, anything written by my martial arts teacher, Master Peter Hill, Anne Rice, Edgar Allen Poe, R.A Salvator (naturally), and my all-time favorite book in the history of forever: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
What are you working on now?
The Third book in the Maiden of the Four Horsemen series: The Maiden in Madness, A book series that gives us a look into the lives of people who suffer from Depression, Addiction, Anxiety, and other issues that have stigmas and judgemental beliefs surrounding them at all sides – my goal is to remove some of the stigma’s so we can all, as a human race, become more understanding, compassionate and open-hearted. I am also working on a few other fiction pieces and one about my own journey with my graves’ disease.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, I haven’t had much luck on promoting the books. But, I do welcome any chance to discuss it with others and if they seem interested I hand out my business card with the website to purchase them from and the best way to find them.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Never compare your writing to anyone else’s because you aren’t anyone else. You have thoughts and ideas that no one else has. You have emotions that no one else feels exactly the way you feel them. Whatever you want to write, write. Write with a goal, with intent, and always remember this: “You can go back and edit and organize later. You cannot edit a blank page.”-something from pinterest.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Life is about the journey, not the destination” Way of the peaceful warrior, Dan Millman
“You can’t help anyone if you can’t help yourself.” – Robert Fowler
“Learn from the mistakes of others, you don’t have to make them all yourself” – Michael Bishop
“You are braver then you believe, stronger then you seem, smarter then you think, and loved more then you know.” -Winnie the Pooh
“Never stop believing in Magic”
What are you reading now?
I’m re-reading the “Legend of Drizzt” series, Unfuck yourself, and I always default to Edgar Allen Poe and my all-time favorite: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
What’s next for you as a writer?
After my Maiden series, then I work harder on my “through the eyes”, my journal-like story of my battle with graves disease and after that, who knows? As long as I can dream, and breathe, I can always come up with another great adventure.
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?
Alice’s Adventures in wonderland/Through the looking glass By Lewis Carroll, Edgar Allen Poe’s Complete book of Tales and Poems, and two blank notebooks.
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