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For Love of Maggie: contemporary-inspirational romance Lost
Hearts: historical-inspirational
romance |
A: I have had an interest in writing most of my life but did not work on it very seriously. In the late nineties I had an opportunity to make a serious attempt at writing. I began making writing a priority, studied, wrote, wrote, wrote, and had my first novel published in 2001.
Q: What are your two favorite books of all time, and why?
A: GONE WITH THE WIND is my number one favorite of all time. It is absolutely captivating. A second book is too difficult to choose. There are so many contemporary novels I like, but I also enjoy some of the older classics like JANE ERYE, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, GRAPES OF WRATH, LITTLE WOMEN, etc.
A: I don’t have favorite authors. I enjoy reading many authors both contemorary and earlier authors. I also enjoy reading non-fiction. There are so many really good authors in both fiction and non-fiction. As a reader, it’s what and how an author writes that impresses me, not who they are.
Q: What person has had the biggest effect on your life as a writer, and why?
A: My cousin who told me that if God has given us a talent, we shouldn’t waste it. That is what made me focus on my writing and prompts me to continue to work hard to become a better writer.
A: I write mostly contemporary romance, but I am writing more historical now and some inspirational. I also write children’s literature. I have written humor and short stories as well.
A: I get ideas from everywhere. Once I decide to flesh out an idea, I get to know the characters and plot out the story before I begin to write. Best to have a skeleton before hanging muscles and organs on and inside it.
A: That varies. If I’m writing a first draft of a new work, I pretty much pound away on the keyboard until it is all down on paper/disk. When working on other aspects of the job, my hours usually aren’t quite so long.
A: I like most about being a writer that I get to do what I love. What I like least is that I’m a tough boss. I make myself work hard even when I really, really don’t want to.
A: Rarely. My characters have their own unique personalities.
A: So far, my favorite character was a secondary character named Sam Bunker in my first book MONTANA MATCH. He is such a funny, charming character. Secondary characters offer the biggest opportunity to create some real outstanding people in romances.
