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How do you discover the eBooks you read?
Browsing! I love reading, especially new authors. I have found several through authors who have followed my Facebook Fan Page. Incredible writers! I have become friends with many. We are very supportive of each other.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes! It was a western romance back in the mid eighties. I was really big into the western thing... I still am. I am an old style cowgirl.
What is your writing process?
Ideas come to me in the shower, the car, at the restaurant. I am a napkin scribbler. Outline, outline, outline. I then Facebook message/ chat with my daughter or one of my sisters and read each chapter to them. They give me incredible feedback. I also upload a pdf of my manuscript to an audio reader and listen. It's amazing what you can find wrong when listening! I work 15 hours a day in my home office, 4am to 6pm, Monday through Friday. I do take holidays off. After publishing, I take a week or two off, then schedule for tours and appearance requests or such before starting another book.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Star trek novels. My elder sister, Sallie, collected the entire series. Trouble with Tribbles. I fell in love with the Harlequin romances. My mother was a big reader and we all became the family buried up to our noses in books.
How do you approach cover design?
By pulling out my hair! I do my own artwork. Sometimes the covers are horrid to me. I have been known to change them after a time. I will be hiring a professional next round.\
What are your five favorite books, and why? Star trek Trouble with Tribbles, Nora Roberts Montana Sky, Blue Smoke, Louie Lamour's Connager, Gone With The Wind, Vera Cowie's Fortune. I reread them many times over, what can I say?
What do you read for pleasure?
Mystery, murder and mayhem. Crime thrillers. Anything to do with the South West. I adore Paranormal. I am addicted to crime thrillers, that's my thing. I also love a good romance!
What is your e-reading device of choice?
My iPhone. Sometimes my laptop.
Describe your desk:
Huge desk, two computers, laptop, cell, files, coffee cup. A big widow for distraction with a beautiful view of the New Mexico desert. A pretty vase of colorful sweet lavender flowers....so many plants everywhere! I have an office right down the hall from the kitchen and this is where I work from day in and day out.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Interior Alaska. I spent many cold harsh winters reading and writing. My entire family are avid readers.
When did you first start writing?
In third grade. More seriously in my freshmen year. I had a wonderful teacher from Montana, Gary Jacobsen. He really encouraged me. He thought my stories were great. There is nothing like having the genuine support of a teacher behind you. My Uncle John has been my cheerleader and he a great moral booster when I start lagging.
What's the story behind your latest book?
You mean books. I always have two under the gun at the same time. MYTH book 2 is a continuation of Claire Thomas' sleuthing and this time, the Alaskan mythical Otter-man, the Kushtaka is believed to be running around Ketchikan killing people. The second book in the CRAELIS CHRONICLES, Dark Soul, is The fallout of evil after Lucero is sent packing back into his own dimension. Eden never lasts for long, for this is not human nature, there must always be a balance of good and evil, light and dark. Evil grows within Selene, Luna's daughter, and she must face difficult choices, either giving into the pull of evil or fighting it...
What motivated you to become an indie author?
Just fell in love with my kindle... and I love writing complex mysteries. I also wanted to read the kind of books I write. What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I love seeing my stories come to life. I love knowing others enjoy the stories I tell. It's my life's blood- I can't imagine doing anything else.
How has Amazon contributed to your success?
They have been great. Extremely easy to work with. The whole setup is simple.
What do your fans mean to you?
My fan's are the most important to me. I value their opinions and suggestions. My fans come first. Too many authors forget that without their fans, they would be null. I'm a fan myself of other author's work. I love hearing from my readers and they bring so much to my writing. Interaction with my readers is very grounding and rewarding. I enjoy reader's comments and feedback, and I try to respond to each reader as quickly as possible.
What are you working on next?
Several stand lone crime thrillers: NEVER LET GO, EDGE of NIGHT and HOUR of THE WOLF. a new cozy series, THE TILLY BISHOP MYSTERIES. And a Murder Mystery Series set in the American Southwest. I have close ties to many in Arizona and New Mexico. The legends and stories are gripping and wonderful. But I will continue writing many stories with Alaska as the backdrop.
Who are your favorite authors? Irish Winters, Nora Roberts, Barbara Cartland, Agatha Christy, Tom Clancy, John Grisham.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Finishing my book! I'm a total bullheaded workaholic.. once I start, I can't stop till it's finished!
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I usually go to local Texas/ New Mexico book signings and accept invitations to library and bookstores appearance requests. Traveling to Mexico, Montana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas and Alaska to visit family. When I am not traveling to Santa Fe or Albuquerque (or anywhere else) I hang out at home, on my small ranch. I'm really a homebody.
My idea of heaven is a hot cup of Irish coffee on my front porch as the sun comes up with my dogs and cats on a warm summer morning. I love the summer southwest nights, too. I also adore a steaming cup of hot cocoa (with Marshmallows!) curled up in front of the fireplace with a delicious crime thriller or mystery on a chilly winters day.
I drink a lot of hot cups of tea on the front porch in spring, summer and fall. Spring and fall are my favorite seasons. I really enjoy working on my ranch with the animals and gardening. I live on a small ranch in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Upon moving here, I immediately fell in love with this quaint little community, every one is super friendly and genuinely kind.
Another thing I absolutely love about Tucumcari, is that Route 66 runs right through it. It's the best place to live!