-
Q: What inspired you to start writing?
Time and a desire. I had left a job or 21 years (along with a teaching job and one as a DV group counselor), which turned out to be the best thing to ever happen to me. I then had time and wanted to do a thriller, screenplay based on my domestic violence experience. I had a thousand stories to tell and just needed to pull it together. I finished it and actually had an agent who was interested in it, with only a few tweaks. While that was happening, I was encouraged by a friend to write the book with all the stories first. The 15th draft is still waiting to be completed ;) I then started writing for number of online outfits and have numerous stories floating around - including a couple of poems. Then, I answered a call to add a story to a Halloween collection that would be published. And that was that. I started writing holiday themed paranormal/supernatural short stories staring my family. The collection is in the Twisted Family Holiday Collection, published by Books To Go Now publishers.
-
Q: Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
The latest published novel (2025) is a thriller about an adolescent who is sent to an institute for behavioral change. The institute, however, is doing nefarious, secret experiments that involve brain chips (first draft written long before the current Neuralink et al. experiments). A volunteer at the institute, 17-year-old Melissa Jenkins, begins to see the evil within the facility. Soon after, she meets and takes a liking to Noah (admit) and vows to rescue him. Meanwhile, Noah's stepbrother senses something is wrong and enlists the help of a couple of lifelong friends to drive the 500 miles to breakout Noah out. The friends (twin brothers) are dragged in naturally as the do some research and find that their father has ties to the institute. It becomes a race for time, you might say.
-
Q: How do you create your characters?
They just come to me. No magical formula or great planning.
-
Q: What does your typical writing day look like?
depends what stage I'm in. I'll write until I can't write, then take breaks and exercise and scroll to stay on top of the state of the nation and world. Then an idea will jump into my head and I'll have to get to it before it becomes obsession. When that is done, I start the editing portion where the real fun begins and the story an characters start to become bigger than life for me. That process could involve several hours a day or minutes...
-
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of being an indie author?
Having the ability to advertise and full control of all aspects of the process. Of course, selling a ton would be cool as well.
-
Q: What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your writing journey?
Over the past few years, it's been time and energy. Due to some injuries that have morphed into a "pain management" situation, it makes finding the needed energy hard.
-
Q: Do you have any favorite writing tools or apps?
It's just me, my laptop, and Word.
-
Q: What advice would you give to new or aspiring indie authors?
Just start and stay with it. You will get better at your craft, so don't expect perfection. Though most strive for that, rest assured that it, most likely, won't be perfect right away; but it will continue to get better. And that, itself, is worth the journey.
-
Q: How do you handle book promotion as an indie author?
The usual social media and look for opportunities to do promotions and author events, like the local author event I am participating in this weekend (7/18) in San Demis, Ca.
-
Q: What’s next for you? Are you working on a new book?
I have a few things I'm working on and will have a novel out with a few months!! Another thriller, based on my work as a child abuse investigator. I also have a short story collection just waiting for the final touches.
