1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you?
Oh, it chose me. Most of the time, I wish I could be content to go to my day job, come home and read a book instead of writing one, but when I don’t write my anxiety levels rise.
2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.)
I graduated from Wheaton College with a BA in English Literature and a teaching certificate that I never used. Teaching is the hardest job on the planet, and it probably leaves you more drained than writing ever could. There would be no time to write and since I really wanted to write, I took a job as an administrative assistant. I completed my formal education at Boston University where I earned a Master’s in Higher Education Administration (also never used) and now I earn a living as an office manager in the biotech industry.
3. When did you ‘know’ you were a writer?
When I was a child. Writing and drawing were my only outlets of self-expression I’d spend hours writing and illustrating books. And I knew I was meant to write romance novels after I stole a Jude Deveraux from my grandmother’s bookshelf and realized that I wanted to be that heroine.
4. How would you describe your style of writing?
That’s tricky. I think I’m still finding my style, which is becoming more and more like me every day -- a little dreamy, blunt, and sometimes it only makes sense to me. Not a good sign, I know, but I’m working on honing the craft every day. It’s hard to erase years of writing thesis papers, a style that I enjoy, and all the beautiful but stifling prose styles that creative writing classes instilled in me. Education is a great tool but you have to be careful not to turn into everyone else. Losing your individual voice is the first thing that you sacrifice for that A.
5. What is your writing process?
Sloooowwww. I’m a one idea, one book at a time sort of girl. With working full time and living life, it usually takes me about a year to get from conception to final draft, writing two to four hours a day, six days a week. I’ve just had a baby, though, and all bets are off. I’ve been doing final revisions on my latest book for the past four months now, something that would normally take less than a month.
6. What was your path to publication?
I queried many Romance Writers of America recognized agents and publishers and received just as many rejects. A few publishers and agents asked for the entire manuscript but ultimately rejected it. So I revised the whole thing and tried small publishers and e-presses. I signed a contract with Wings (www.wings-press.com) and am very happy with them.
7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea?
Being shy, I’m a fan of websites, blogs, and bookmarks but I think word of mouth works wonders.
8. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer?
I used to believe that writing was something mystical or maybe just in the genes and I still so believe that. But it’s also like any other job -- you learn as you go and you gain reputation and skil as you go. Some days are fabulous, but most days, it’s labor.
9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity?
Like I said above, some days are fabulous. I guess you could say the muse is infused in the day. You just have to write and when you do, it’s all good. Some days, all it takes is a cup of coffee, a song, a certain book or movie, the weather, a vivid dream from last night, anything...and you’re off and running. Most days, there is no creativity floating in the air around you and you have to make it yourself. I do that by pulling my chair up to my desk, listening to iTunes, and making myself write for good or ill.
10. What is your proudest writer moment?
There are a few...finishing a book is one. Or writing a scene and knowing that I captured “it”. Then there’s the external validation--fan letters from absolute strangers, good reviews...I’d have to say my proudest moment was the phone call from my ex-boyfriend from high school. He said, “You always wanted to write a book and you did it.” It hit me then. I did do it. I accomplished my dream.
11. What’s the best advice you were given about writing?
Everything Stephen King says in his book On Writing. If I take anyone’s writing advice, it’s his.
12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment?
Meeting Teresa Medeiros at a conference. I was absolutely tongue tied.
13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer?
Learning to write a business plan, marketing myself, and finding the time to learn about business while trying to learn about writing and actually writing and having a life. Networking is also very difficult for me. I have a real hard time going to conferences and RWA group meetings because I just feel so insecure. I think it has something to do with forgetting my lines in the fourth grade play. It’s stupid, really. It’s my ego overworking, and I need to get over it.
14. What is your writer life philosophy?
I like Bukowski’s theory so I’ll steal from him: “I’m a sometimes writer. Most often I don’t do anything.”
15. When you’re not writing what do you do for fun?
Read, listen to music, practice my banjo, read some more, play with the baby, walk the dogs, eat my husband’s fabulous cooking, then read again.
16. Who do you like to read?
Too many authors. I have a MySpace blog where I actually listed them all out in an obsessive compulsive moment but even that doesn’t cover it. I love English literature -- Eliot, Bronte, Hardy, Stoker, Byron, Austen, Forster. American -- Twain, Emerson, Wharton, Poe, Hawthorne. Popular -- Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Nora Roberts, Jenny Cruisie, Bill Bryson, Diana Gabaldon, Kim Harrison, Teresa Medeiros, Bukowski, Henry Rollins...
17. What’s your advice for new writers?
Just keep following your dream and don’t get discouraged by all the roadblocks. Focus on writing.
18. What are you currently working on?
A romantic fantasy about a girl who would be queen...but she doesn’t know it.
