When did you realize that you wanted to become a
writer?
When
I began writing a scene that caused me to smile all the way through. It felt
amazing to be the cause of that happiness like so many other authors have been
for me with their stories.
What was the very first thing you ever wrote?
If
I don't include the awful song lyrics I tried writing as a kid, it is Never
Again. The first in the Book of Origins series, it's my first true attempt at
writing and my first published novel. I had fun writing it and just want to
know if others enjoy my twist on an over-crowded genre.
What was the inspiration for your book?
After
reading so many stories that portray vampires as a whole as monsters I began
wondering what it would be like if they really weren't. Then one night a
co-worker mentioned rewriting a story if you don't like it and I just couldn't
help myself. Don't get me wrong, I love all the books I've read, but I needed
to know if making vampires victims would work. And it did. With help from my
medical background vampirism became a disease you can cure, so hunters no
longer have to kill the vampires infected. Instead they can save them.
How much of your characters are based on your
traits or someone you know personally?
Most
of them. To seem more realistic I put in lots of my own likes and dislikes for
the main character Hannah. The other characters that share the names of people
I know personally have a little bit of them as well. The rest I just tried to
make different to add dimension to the story. And as for names, all derive from
either people I know or people from my family tree with the exception of
Hannah. I just really love the name and my husband didn’t for our daughters, so
I found a different way to use it.
Describe your main character in six words.
Wow. Well, first, Hannah is loyal, guarded but passionate, and a gifted fighter and leader. Second, John is chivalrous, fiercely protective, gorgeous, and dangerous yet safe.
Describe the world you’ve created in six words.
It
parallels ours but has a hidden and misunderstood past
resulting in victimized vampires.
What are you working on now?
Family
Again, volume two in the Book of Origins series. A continuation of volume one,
the characters discover secrets that lead them to Central Europe and an
encounter with the first vampire. After given an ultimatum one character leaves
with the first vampire to save the others but whether it's as a guest or prisoner,
no one knows.
Goals? Accomplishments? Improvements?
Get volume two
out before the end of 2018! At the rate it's going it feels like it will take
forever. Too much life drama and writer's block has slowed my inspiration so if
I can keep that deadline I'll be ecstatic.
Are there any authors or books you recommend?
Well, as I like
a variety of genres, for authors my first thoughts are Steve Martini's The
List, Nelson DeMille's The Lion's Game, Elizabeth Hunter's Elemental Mysteries
and World series, and Roxie Rivera's Russian Protector books. I have re-read
many of these books and still can't get them out of my head.
What's your favorite thing to do when you're not
writing?
Reading
for sure, but if I'm too frustrated at life then it's easier to binge watch TV
shows on Netflix than to pick my next book to read.
