FAQs

I love to connect with my readers and site visitors. If you have a question for me, click here to submit it. I can’t promise your question/my answer will be published . . . we’ll have to wait and see. Here are some questions others have asked:

How long did it take to get published?

I started writing in 2006 and sold in 2008.

What is your writing schedule?

With two small children at home, it’s not much of a schedule. I just grab a few hours and sometimes minutes when I can.

How important is research?

I think any writer worth their salt will say that research is important. I often consult law enforcement about procedures. When I write about the military, I run things by my brother-in-law who used to be in Navy Intel. I’ve fired pistols to see what it feels like. And I always double-check geographical locations. If a suspenseful situation I’m creating isn’t real to the reader, then I haven’t done my homework.

Why romantic fiction?

I like happy endings.

How do you come up with new story ideas?

I talk out story ideas with my mom. We’ll think up a situation together and then talk through how it might work. It’s a fun thing for us to do over coffee or lunch.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Writing is a pretty tough gig. Even if you’re a great writer, there are techniques and formulas that work and those that don’t. If you’re not willing to shape your stories to fit these then it may not sell. And, even if you do, it still may not sell. So, work hard, learn everything you can at conferences and in writing courses, work hard, read what’s selling, work hard, join a writing group, get critique partners, and listen to good suggestions to improve your writing, and work hard.

Could you briefly tell us about your experience with GBS? What’s the most important lesson you learned after all you’ve been through?

GBS is a disease where your autoimmune system, for some unknown reason, attacks your nervous system, literally eating away your nerves. There’s no cure but if it doesn’t kill you (and it usually doesn’t) it reverses itself and most (or all) of the damage repairs. I suffered temporary but total paralysis and was in the hospital for almost 40 days. I’m not going to lie to you. It sucked. I missed not being able to move and talk and go where I wanted to go. I was so dependent on others–to eat, go to the bathroom, turn over. Whatever it was I couldn’t do it alone. I’m a very independent person so this was hard for me. Not to mention the pain of seeing those who care about you worry and fret and know that you’re the cause of their stress. But I learned that it’s okay to ask for help and for prayer and love. It’s humbling, but it’s okay. And having lots of people pray for you—amazing! Prayer is a powerful thing.