Author of The Ambrose Beacon
When did you realize that you wanted to become
a writer?
I’ve always had
stories running around through my head, ever since I was a child. Just before I turned thirty, I decided to
start writing them down. I guess you can
say I was sort of a late bloomer.
Is being an Author all you dreamed of, or did
it just happen? The best and worst thing about it?
I would love to
achieve a level of financial success that would allow me to focus on writing
full time, but other than that, I love writing, and will keep doing it as long
as I can. I’d say the best part of being
an author is when someone tells you that they loved a particular scene or
character in one of your books, and hearing how other people picture the characters
that I’ve created. I can’t really think
of anything that’s bad about it, honestly.
What was the very first thing you ever wrote?
I think the first
thing I remember writing was a short story in ninth grade English. It was a fantasy story that I was pretty
proud of.
What made you create (your book)? How did it come to you?
The Ambrose Beacon
actually started off as a nightmare that I had one night. I was in a house with a bunch of children
that weren’t mine, but I knew I was somehow related to. The house was being attacked by monsters, and
I was trying to protect the children.
When I woke up, I started to wonder what kind of backstory would have
led up to such a scene, and The Ambrose Beacon began to take shape.
Who is your literary hero?
I’m sort of a major
Tokien nerd, so I’d have to say that if I had to choose one, it would be him.
How much of your characters are based on your
traits or someone you know personally?
I think there are
elements of many of the people I know in my characters, though some are pretty
spot-on representations of people I know.
I also tend to write very strong female characters, and I think that’s
because I’ve been surrounded by so many strong women in my life.
Describe your main character in six words.
There are several main characters, but I can say this about
them: A family that always sticks together.
Describe the world you’ve created in six words.
Describe the world you’ve created in six words.
Celtic legend meets
modern fantasy. Okay, that’s five; but
it definitely works
What scene was your favorite to write?
The scene where Cole
was trapped in the darkness ended up being a lot scarier than I first imagined
it, but I love the feeling it gave me when I wrote it.
What scene was the hardest for you to write?
Any time I have to
kill off one of the characters I like, it’s difficult. I become attached to them, and don’t want to
let them go. Hopefully, my readers feel
the same way!
What are you working on now?
I am currently
working on book two of The Solas Prophecy: The Druids of Kalispell
Goals? Accomplishments? Improvements?
Publishing my first
novel was definitely an accomplishment, and now my goal is to keep writing and
to finish the ideas that are in my head for The Solas Prophecy, and a few other
series for which I have ideas. As a writer,
I think I’m constantly improving, and can continue to learn. The minute I stop learning and improving, I
think it will be time to stop writing.
Are there any authors or books you recommend?
It sounds funny to
recommend in this day and age, but I think anyone who hasn’t read Charles Dickens,
especially A Tale of Two Cities, is missing out. Also, if you haven’t read The Lord of the
Rings, you should!
What's your favorite thing to do when you're
not writing?
I love spending time
with my family and friends, and LOVE to cook!
