Does this book have a special meaning
to you? i.e. where you found the idea, its symbolism, its meaning, who you
dedicated it to, what made you want to write it?
It
means the world to me because it’s the first book in the Skyler Moore Thriller
series and because it’s the first book that I have spent a good deal of time
promoting. As an independent author, marketing is my second fulltime job and I
actually quite enjoy it. I’ve written tons of things before—both published and
unpublished stuff—but this was truly a labor of love and a lot of thought went
into it. Because it’s the first of a planned dozen books (the second, THE NEW
MEXICO SCOUNDREL, is also available now, and the third book, THE NEVADA
SABOTEUR, is coming September 27), it’s my baby! I knew that I wanted to have
Skyler and her best friend—celebrity chef Brenda Braxton—from a small, southern
Maine town because I spent so many memorable summers there when I was a kid.
It’s has a very special place in my heart.
Where do you get your storylines from?
Who
knows!? They just pop into my head. But, I spend a great deal of time thinking
about them and mapping out ideas. I primarily use the Notes app on my iPhone to
make notes and jot down ideas constantly, no matter where I am. That synchs up
with the app on my laptop, so when I sit down to work, I can look at my notes
to see story ideas, character names, or twists and turns that came to me when I
was in line at the bank. I’m very lucky that I never have writer’s block; new
ideas and fun scenes just keep on coming. Knock on wood.
Was this book easier or more difficult
to write than others? Why?
Easier,
because I’m getting better. I think every time I work on an article or a letter
or a story, it’s better than what I’ve done before because I’m learning as I go
and getting better as a storyteller. In my own mind, at least.
Do you only write one genre?
I
mainly write light-suspense and thrillers that are fairly soapy in nature, with
lots of dialogue, but I am kicking around the idea for a young adult fantasy
novel. I have never written anything like that before, but I came up with what
I think is a very unique idea and I can’t wait to get it down on paper. I need
to figure out where it will fit in the insane calendar I’ve created for myself
with my thriller novels though. My plan is to release three Skyler novels each
year.
Give us a picture of where you write,
where you compose these words…is it Starbucks, a den, a garden…we want to know
your inner sanctum?
I
almost always write at my desk, on my Mac laptop, in my home office. I’ve
always had a
And finally, of course…was there any
specific event or circumstance that made you want to be a writer?
Well,
I’ve always been a writer, but it was when I decided that I was ‘done working
for the man’ that I made it a self-employed career. I worked in offices at big
companies. I’ve traveled all over the world for someone else. I did my time.
And then, I went out on my own, and it was the best thing I ever did. I like
calling my own shots and running my own show, even if I fail. And I did fail a
few times. I got let go by clients. My clothing manufacturing company didn’t
turn a profit. My clothing store couldn’t compete with online businesses. But
each and every time, I learned a valuable lesson, and got right back up on my
feet. Then I decided it was time to do what I always wanted to do since I was a
little kid—publish my own books and share my stories with others. I don’t care
if I get super rich and famous (although that would be nice), I’m just happy
sharing my creations with others and hopefully entertaining them, too.
Thanks for hosting!
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