FAQ ABOUT MY BACKGROUND

Did you always want to be a writer?

This is a great question for writers and usually the answer is always the same: “As far back as I can remember, I’ve been writing.” Well, I’m no different. I wrote stories for my parents and siblings. Wrote family trees and histories of my stuffed animals (of which I had hundreds) and was always making up stories, playing imaginary games with all sorts of intricate plotlines. So…yeah, I’ve been writing on and off for as long as I can remember. I excelled in grammar and English all throughout school and I wrote a lot in college.  Then, in my first job, I was writing press releases, constituent letters, and then later marketing pieces, collaterals, websites, advertisements, newsletters and client mailings. Grammar and I have been good friends for a while. You definitely (note…not spelled “definately”) need a good grasp of language to be an effective (not affective) and successful writer.

Where are you from and what’s your background?

I was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in Troy, Alabama.  I attended The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa (Roll Tide!) where I got a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.  I then moved to Washington, DC, and worked on Capitol Hill for two congressmen – one in Austin, Texas.  I always wanted to move back to Boston and did in 1993.  I’ve been a meeting planner and marketing events coordinator for most of my professional career.  I was married for 19 years, but am now single – well, not really as I have a wonderful, supportive boyfriend.  No kids.  No pets (at the moment).  I love to cook, write, and listen to music, SCUBA dive, and travel. 

Do you have brothers and sisters?  Kids?

I have an older sister, Jennifer, and an older brother, Jeff, who are very supportive of my writing and of me.  I don’t have kids, but I’m an excellent aunt to my two nieces and one nephew.  My boyfriend has two sons who are adorable and I’m still a kid at heart myself!

What authors did you read growing up? What authors do you read now?

Growing up…well, I read Laura Ingalls Wilder, Judy Blume (of course) and my favorite young adult writers were Doreen Owens Malik and Elaine Harper. Malik did those very edgy, grown up teen stories for First Love by Silhouette and Elaine Harper did the Blossom Valley series, which I still love and remember today. I also grew up on Kathleen Woodiwiss, Sandra Brown and Nora Roberts. Today I still read those authors, love Diana Gabaldon, Barbara Delinsky, Helen Fielding, Anne Rice (I’m all over the place) and soooo many of my writing buddies that write amazing young adult and women’s fiction.

What subjects did you like in school?

Well, nothing involving math, that’s for sure. I loved my computer class which was one of the first of its kind. Back in the days when we used cassette tapes as backups.  I know, I’m ancient! In college, I loved my creative classes: Advertising Design, Advertising Copywriting, Speech Communication, and Advertising Campaigns. I also loved history. One of my best and favorite subjects. And because of it, I’m a whiz as Jeopardy!

What’s your all-time favorite book?

This is a toughy. Can I say two? Sure, I can say two…it’s my FAQ! LOL!! The first that really sticks with me is Gone With the Wind. Okay, you’re saying that’s a clichéd answer, but I loved this book. It’s sooooo different than the movie. Did you know that Bonnie Blue Butler was Scarlett’s third kid? See, you learned something new today. The characters are so developed and understood as you go through the pain of war and reconstruction with them. Funny, when I read the book, I never once didn’t think Rhett and Scarlett wouldn’t get back together. However, watching the movie…you do wonder. (And no, I don’t buy into the Alexander Ripley sequel.) The other book that completely changed my life and made me want to write was Bridget Jones’s Diary. I know, you’re saying another clichéd answer, but clichés are clichés for a reason. The voice in Bridget Jones had me from the first page. She was so bumbling and irreverent and silly and…normal…just like a friend. I just couldn’t put it down. I’ve read GWTW five times in my life. I’ve read BJD three times.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Again…not an easy answer. I think that every creative person should live in New York City at least once in their life. I still have to do that. I also think Paris is the coolest, most wonderful, entertaining, fascinating cities on the planet. I’d love to be an American in Paris.  Toronto, Ontario, Canada is my favorite place to be of all. Sitting on the Danforth eating a Greek salad or walking up and down Queen Street East delving into the funky stores. There’s something to do around every corner in Toronto. And the people are amazingly nice, polite and welcoming. I’d move there tomorrow! (Don’t make me start singing O Canada! ‘cause I’ll do it!)

FAQ ABOUT BEING A WRITER

When do you find time to write?

Remember that old saying that you make time for the things you want to do? Well, I make time. Since it’s literally my job and I love what I do, I just sit down and let the words flow.  I can’t really start writing on a book until I can see my story in my head like a movie from start to finish. Once that’s done and I plot it out, then I sort of feel like I’m a transcriber when I’m writing…just getting that movie out of my head. Since I type about 100 wpm, then I can really crank.  Just ask my editor.  I once wrote a book in 22 days!

Where do you get your ideas?

I have to say that I’ve always been an observer. I love to people watch and—yes, I admit it—eavesdrop on conversations. I love listening to words and dialogue and cadence and word choices and intonations. I love to play “what if” and pretend this, that or the other happens. I have a vivid imagination and love to visualize if one thing were altered, what the outcome would be. I’m also a true romantic and love happy endings. To create these characters in my mind that can find friendship and happiness and love and success…I have a little control in a not-so-perfect world. I get ideas from news articles. I get ideas from a conversation. I get ideas from my dreams. I get ideas from my own experiences. I get ideas in the shower. The best ideas are the ones that form organically and then take on a life of their own until you’re forced to write the story.

What are some great writing books you’d recommend to people wanting to write?

I have to admit I’m not big on the “how to” books because you can get too bogged down in how people tell you should be writing instead of actually writing. First and foremost, if you want to write, then sit down at the computer and WRITE. That being said, I have found great inspiration through four books: The Writer’s Journey : Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler; Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass; Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott; and The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. You can’t go wrong with any of those books as inspiration and motivation.

How did you get a literary agent?

 A lot of submitting, a lot of rejections, a lot of never giving up, a lot of networking, putting my name and face out at conferences and a wonderful recommendation and introduction from a friend to her agent. They say (you know, the “they” that knows everything) that getting an agent is harder than getting an editor and that can certainly be true. You just have to keep querying and asking questions to find that perfect fit. To me, the agent/author relationship is like that of a player and a coach. You work together to guide your career, steer you in the right direction and open as many doors as possible. A good agent definitely makes all the difference.  I am blessed to have an agent that not only gets my writing, but she gets me, as well.  She’s sort of my writing “life coach” as well and will steer me into directions I never thought possible

What makes a good book that will get published?

I get this question a lot and I don’t really have a magical answer.  What makes a good book?  Well, ask yourself what you enjoy in a book: easy to identify with characters, a plot that keeps you interested, a sympathetic and interesting situation, not able to put the book down.  If you’re looking for a secret handshake or password on how a book gets published, let me just say that it’s mostly timing, hitting the right editor at the right time with the right story and add in some good old dumb luck.  I always tell people, if you’re writing and you aren’t enjoying the story and the characters, how do you expect an editor, agent, or reader to like it?  You really have to love what you’re writing.  Don’t write for publication or for the money.  Write because you have to.  Because, if you don’t tell that story, you’ll burst!

Will you read and critique my manuscript and tell me what you think?

As much as I would love to read someone’s manuscript, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day for me to take this on like I used to.  If I read one person’s, then I’ll have to read everyone’s and I just can’t commit to that.  Back when I first got started, I would “pay it forward” by sharing the knowledge other writers have given to me in the form of critiques and just reading friends’ work.  I’m afraid that due to my travel schedule and my due dates with my own manuscripts, I just can’t offer to read for people anymore.  I do volunteer my time in several contests hosted by chapters of Romance Writers of America® and try to pay it forward that way.  The best thing to do is to get someone other than a family member to read your work and critique it with a fair, but constructive eye.  Get a good critique partner who gets your voice and won’t try to turn your work into theirs and swap stories with each other.  Also, look into joining a writer’s group.

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Write. Every day. Even if it’s one page or one sentence. Don’t measure yourself against anyone else. Don’t listen to “rules” or “how tos.” Just write from your gut, your heart, your soul. Believe in yourself that you can write. Surround yourself by positive, supportive friends. Avoid negativity in any form. Try. Put forth the effort and put your hands on the keyboard. Shut off the internal editor and tell the elves of self doubt to go away. If you can write innocently – like you may have when you were a child – and just let the words flow, you can do it. Also, don’t ever give up. Not if this is what you truly want to do. If you want to be a writer, then BE a writer. Don’t let rejection or criticism get you down. Be tenacious and persevere, no matter what. You probably won’t sell the first thing you write (although I know people who have), but you’ll sell something if you keep at it and believe in your talent. think first of all, you have to believe in yourself and your work. And remember to have fun with it. Love your characters and your stories. If you’re not enjoying it, then how do you expect readers, editors and agents to love it.  Don’t hold back and just let your creativity flow!

FAQ ABOUT THE PARANORMAL

How did you get involved in the paranormal?

I’ve always enjoyed movies and TV shows of the paranormal persuasion.  GHOSTBUSTERS, POLTERGEIST, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS were favorites growing up.  When I started writing young adult, the trend was on the upswing for paranormal stories.  I knew if I wanted to sell, I really needed to dig down deep and come up with a really high concept story that no one had done before.  I was at the New England Romance Writers Conference and went to a session on “Ghost Hunting 101” by the New England Ghost Project.  They showed evidence from their ghost hunts and played sound files they’d recorded.  It totally blew me away.  I had no idea people went ghost hunting.  Sitting right there, the whole story of THE AWAKENING came to me like a movie and I knew I had to write about teenage ghost hunters.  I started watching all of the paranormal shows like GHOST HUNTERS, HAUNTING EVIDENCE, DEAD FAMOUS, MOST HAUNTED, PARANORMAL STATE, etc.