On and Ready to Go in my Author Life…

 

Recently, I was contacted by NFReads.com—a general interest website with an "Author Interviews" section featuring both fiction and nonfiction authors across a wide variety of backgrounds, genres and writing experience. They constantly scour the web for interesting authors with inspiring stories, and asked me if I would like to publish an interview about my writings (no fee was involved; the bulk of the interview was frequently asked questions).

In anticipation for the September release of the third installment (fourth if you include the prequel) of The Last Timekeepers time travel adventure series, entitled The Last Timekeepers and the Noble Slave, I jumped at the chance to do the interview with NFReads and share some fun facts and interesting tidbits about me, my writing, and my personal life.

BTW—the cover reveal for The Last Timekeepers and the Noble Slave, and the preorder link goes live simultaneously on August 17^th, 2021, so mark that date on your electronic devices or calendars! In the meantime, please enjoy catching up with my author life…

1. What is/are the real-life story(ies) behind your book(s)?

 The idea for The Last Timekeepers series came to me in a dream I had around 1998. In this dream, I saw seven arches, and there were seven people (five kids, two adults) with crystals in their hands, walking up to these arches. It definitely had an Indiana Jones feel to it, but with an ‘Atlantis’ slant. I love history. I also love myths and legends. So I put those two ‘ingredients’ together and came up with a time travel series with roots leading back to Atlantis.

When I created the Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls series, I drew from all of my childhood and adult experiences from vacationing and living in cottage country. This gave my teen psychic mystery book series a nostalgic feeling coupled with a sense of adventure and…wait for it…the supernatural. Welcome to Fairy Falls. Expected the unexpected.

2. What inspires/inspired your creativity?

To tell the truth it’s been my life experiences, but sometimes single malt scotch helps. Kidding. I also loved watching Scooby-Doo as a kid. I mean, who didn’t? I also had an over-active imagination in school, and found it hard to concentrate on mundane subjects. I often drifted off into the land of story-making until the teacher called out my name. Yeah. I wouldn’t advise that. As I grew older I never thought I could channel those stories into something as concrete as a book, but I was inspired to do so by a deep, spiritual desire that whispered in my ear one evening. True story. Now with six books and two series on the go, I’m glad I listened to that voice, and haven’t looked back.

3. How do you deal with creative block?

I do something else other than stare at my blank computer screen. That’s more exhausting than trying to come up with anything creative. Stand up, move around, make tea or coffee, take yourself or your dog out for a walk. Sooner or later the words will come, and when they do, you’d better be ready to get them down.

 4. What are the biggest mistakes you can make in a book?

Rushing the story. Even when you’re writing a series, each book has something to say in its own time. And I’ve learned that each back has a soul. Allow the book to have its own unique voice. After all, every author has theirs.

5. Do you have tips on choosing titles and covers?

If you’re writing a series, you’ll want to brand titles and covers so that readers know those books are part of that series. Choose titles that reflect the main theme. Same with covers. Colors on your covers are so important and can set the mood, along with any elements you’ve chosen to display on the cover. You want to tease your readers enough to become so curious that they hit the buy link on your website.

6. How do bad reviews and negative feedback affect you and how do you deal with them?

I don’t let bad reviews or negative feedback run my author life. It’s not a healthy way to go in this business. I don’t even check my reviews. I realize every reader has a right to an opinion, and that’s a good thing. Variety is truly the spice of life. Some books will leave readers with a bad taste in their mouths, while other readers can’t get enough of what you’re dishing out.

7. How has your creation process improved over time?

Tremendously! With years come experience and wisdom. I’ve learned that I’m an intuitive plotter, and enjoy the process of planning a book more than being a pantser (writing by the seat of your pants). Since I’ve decided to write book series, I keep a handbook binder for both my series, filled with character tracking sheets and other pertinent information I can fact check when I’m writing a new installment. This saves me time and embarrassment, making sure colors of eyes remain the same, and what clothing my characters are wearing in that particular book. Plus, my pacing and tension has improved tenfold. Love leaving those readers hanging!

8. What were the best, worst and most surprising things you encountered during the entire process of completing your book(s)?

Seeing the finished product in my hands is an amazing feeling, and some of my book launches have been memorable. The worst is the mental anguish of my editor pushing me to the limits to produce the best story possible. It was gratifying and exhausting at the same time. The most surprising thing was the royalty payments. It was quite a wake-up call for me (and I bet for other authors out there). I’ve learned that a career in publishing is a dedicated path. Slow and steady progress assures success. That’s my motto now.

9. Do you tend towards personal satisfaction or aim to serve your readers? Do you balance the two and how?

If I’m being honest, a little of both. I write books for me AND my readers. The writing part is my journey—from seed idea to finished product—and all that’s happened in between. The way I serve my readers is to deliver the best possible story I’ve got in me, while entertaining and inspiring them at the same time. That’s where I find balance.

10. What role do emotions play in creativity?

Emotions are a scary-wonderful roller coaster ride for an author. We get out the best and worst of ourselves for all to see. It’s like wringing out a sopping wet sponge until there’s nothing left to squeeze. That’s when we (authors) get to exhale and if we’ve done our jobs well, our readers will have gone on that ride with us.

11. What are your plans for future books?

So many books, so little time. LOL! Actually, I’ve planned for a total of ten books, plus the prequel for The Last Timekeepers series, so I’ll be one busy gal. So far, I have three books in this series published. In September 2021, the fourth installment, The Last Timekeepers and the Noble Slave will be released through my publisher, Mirror World Publishing. For my other young adult series Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls, there are five books total planned, two of which are already published. Currently, I’m working on the third book in this teen psychic mystery series.

12. Tell us some quirky facts about yourself

I’m an empath. Yeah, I feel ya. I never knew this until later in my life. It’s been a load to carry, and I honestly thought something was wrong with me. Guess that’s why I’m drawn to writing about characters with psychic abilities or delving into my past lives. I love exploring arcane subjects, attracted to unsolved mysteries, and always expect the unexpected. Bahaha…

If you’re a writer, do you resonate with any of my answers? If you’re a reader, is there anything else you would like to know about my author life? I’d love to read your comments. Cheers and thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I appreciate you!