Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an award-winning screenwriter, author, and playwright, but my passion lies in crafting mystical stories.
The Moa series consists of three books – “Moa,” “Statue of Ku,’ and “Iron Shinto” and was sparked by my firsthand encounter with an ancient Hawaiian spirit. The books take readers on a journey of exploration through a world of spiritual healing. Each chapter of the books begins with a meditative ritual that pertains to that chapter. The rituals from the first book have been published in both eBook and audio form as The Gatekeeper’s Guide to Ancient Essential Oils and Rituals which are available on iTunes, Amazon as well as other music streaming services like Spotify and Rhapsody.
The Moa Series is for anyone who is ready to experience something refreshing and unusual from both themselves and from the books.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book in the YA, Science Fiction mystical adventure, Moa series, is, “Iron Shinto.”
Forget all that you know. Remember everything else.
In this third book of the Moa Series, Hillary, her sister, Molly, and niece, Heidi, have each lost themselves literally. After saving the Hawaiian Islands with Moa and discovering the Statue of Ku in Egypt, a malevolent force has separated them from their physical bodies, transporting them to an ethereal location, one in which a thought can be manifested in an instant and all actions are illusory. In this timeless space, they will lose themselves, find themselves and, in the process discover a universal secret of immortality.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My favorite time to write, is during the full moon while the energy is stimulating and wild. Truth is, though, I’m happy to write whenever I get the chance.
Give me a strong, black cup coffee and I’m set.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ray Bradbury’s “Frost and Fire,” had a profound effect on how I experienced books. The story was so raw and human, I was riveted from the at word.
A year later, I read James Joyce’s “Portrait of an Artist” for the first time. About an hour later, I was overcome by an urge to write, and indulged the impulse. Time stood still, I have no idea what happened. All I remember is coming to, with pages upon pages filled with words in front of me. It felt incredible to express myself so freely and I never looked back.
What are you working on now?
Book Four in the Moa Series will center around Stonehenge and I’ve already begun writing! As I said about remembering your reason for being here, the adventure begins anew for me, too.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There is nothing that beats an in-person book signing/talk. Something happens when you meet people face-to-face than cannot be duplicated in the virtual world. However, a blog is a great way to keep people current and create a consistent presence.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Each of us has at least one divine gift to remember. The moment we wake up and retrieve the memory of who we are and what we are here—on earth—to do, the adventure begins.
Keep going! Do what you love and love what you do.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Anne Lamott, one of my favorite author/human beings, has this perspective on literary criticism. “You don’t always have to chop with the sword of truth. You can point with it too.”
What are you reading now?
“The Straight A Conspiracy: Your Secret Guide to Ending the Stress of School and Totally Ruling the World,” by Hunter Maats and Katie O’Brien.
It’s never to late to debunk a personal myth.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Thoughts which will become words, which will become stories which will become books. Whatever those words are, I can’t wait to see where they will lead.
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?
“Journey of Souls” by Dr. Michael Newton
“Kitchen” by Banana Yoshimoto
“Shantaram” by Gregory David Roberts (If I were on a desert island, I might finally have the time–and inclination–to finish the book!)
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