Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?

After trying just about everything: banking, sales, starting my own clothing business, cooking, science, marketing, counseling, finally at age 27, I was inspired to start writing fiction. That was 7 years ago, and I have never looked back. It’s been a TON of work, dedication, and self-discipline, and I’m grateful for all of it. After taking classes, going to conferences, and writing over a million words, I finally have my first novel published. I’m 34 and DRAGON BLOOD just came out. 34 isn’t old, but it isn’t 21 either. I’m grateful that I can start this career that I love at my age.

Tell us something really interesting that’s happened to you!

I had a profound difficulty learning to read and write. At a young age, teachers pushed me into math and science where I showed an early aptitude. I believed that I could never learn to be a good writer and so I didn’t try until I was nearly 30 years old. That’s a lot of years I could have been practicing writing and reading more, but I’m making up for lost time!

What are some of your pet peeves?

When people put their forks in the dishwasher tongs down—they do not get as clean!

When the toilet paper rolls under instead of over.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

I started doodling and dripping pain in April 2020. We were deep in the dark trench of quarantine and I was struggling. I wouldn’t write (or laugh much). I was depressed. I’m grateful for the night I went to my mother’s and she pulled out her new calligraphy pens and for a little art therapy. From there I feel head over heels for painting, esp watercolor. This new hobby has been such a gift of peace and brightness.

How to find time to write as a parent?

My writing schedule usually mirrors my children’s school schedule. Assuming it’s a typical school day, I will write for 4 hours (Taking a break in the middle for a 30-minute yoga sanity break). I can’t focus or produce good sentences for much longer than about 4 hours in a day. Summer time and holidays aren’t very productive writing times. I try to make sure to get important drafts done before school lets out in June because editing is easier for me to do in the short spurts of writing time I get when the kids are home.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less!

Organized, hard-working, strong-willed, sarcastic, and tired.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I still struggle with imposter syndrome. It helps a lot to have books published, but in my heart, I knew I was a writer when I started my first novel 7 years ago. I had an idea come to me and a little voice inside that told me to write it down. I probably needed therapy, but instead I opened a word doc. Completing that first manuscript was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but what kept me going was the feeling I got while writing. I felt as if I’d found myself. Writing stories is it for me. It’s been a brutal road and I’ve collected hundreds of rejections, but I still want to do it. I still need to write.

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?

All of them. Whether other people can imagine them as movies, that’s a different question.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?

A falcon. I want to soar. Flying seems like such a cool way to see and experience the world.