1. What inspired you to write your first book?
Many years ago I was going through a very dark period. I was unhappy in many areas of my life and I needed an escape. While reading allowed me some escape, I found myself playing “what if”. “What if a woman threw herself into her work in order to keep the memory of her sister alive? What would it take for her to move forward in her life? Would she be able to move forward, or would she be stuck?” Then scenes started to play out in my mind like a movie and I started to write them down. For a good couple years I wrote random scenes, ideas, and dialogue in journals. Usually I wrote in bed. In the summers, I wrote at the beach. When I finally decided to sit down and really write what became “Work in Progress”, I was ready to bring the story to life.
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2. Writing can be a difficult job, what inspires you to keep going?
Telling the story inspires me. But also, sometimes you write and things take a bit of a turn depending on what your characters want to do. I find that exciting. Every time I sit down to write is an adventure. Sometimes it’s a rip-roaring ride along a twisty-turny coastline, other times it’s a lesson in patience, in trust, and in noticing detail. I much prefer the zig-zaggy stuff, but am learning to be better at the quieter moments in writing as well.
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3. What are you working on now? What’s next?
I’m just wrapping up a short story about Julia, one of the minor characters in “Work in Progress”. Julia will get her own novel in “Poetry in Motion”, but readers will get to know her a bit better in “Daydream Believer” – coming out soon!
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4. What’s your writing process, schedule, or routine?
Write a little bit every day. Make it a habit. Write even though you may not end up keeping what you write. But write anyway.
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5. Who is your favorite book character of all time? Why?
I feel like a mother saying this, but I don’t have a favorite. I love all my book characters equally. Ha. Scout from “To Kill a Mockingbird” is definitely a favorite (and is it appropriate to say I have a crush on Atticus?). She’s curious and spunky and doesn’t give up. She’s got gumption, that one. More recently, Honor Holland in Kristan Higgins’ “The Perfect Match”. I love all of her books. The characters are so richly layered and lovingly funny. Honor’s character really hit close to home and I found myself rooting for her (often out loud, and in the middle of the night), and sobbing in empathy.
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6. What advice would give to aspiring writers?
Write. Be humble. Learn to critique your own writing, but also don’t be afraid to ask for help. My writing has become so much better with input from a few people whose opinions I hold dear. And, in asking for help, learn to accept criticism. Hopefully the person who gives you a critique does so constructively, but even so, learn to pick out the pieces that are helpful, learn, revise, and keep writing. Always keep writing.
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7. What’s your favorite quote?
How sad is it that I had to go on my Pinterest “quote” board and look it up? Anyway, here it is:
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful the risk it took to blossom – Anais Nin
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8. Who would you most like to have a cup of coffee with? (Dead or alive) Explain…
My grandma. She died when I was eight. In those few years she had such a profound impact on me. I’d love to sit with her now and experience what it would be like to have a relationship with her as an adult.
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9. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Inconsiderateness.
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10. Tell us something quirky about you.
I like to believe that I’m a mermaid. I live near a large body of water, I spend lots of time in the bathtub. Seriously. If I had a waterproof laptop, I’d have 100 books written by now.
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11. Favorite comfort food?
Curried cauliflower and butter chicken.
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12. Star Wars or Star Trek?
Stars Hollow is more my speed (Gilmore Girls reference).
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13. Sunrises or Sunsets?
Sunsets. I’m not awake for sunrises.
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