Q: What would you say is a true hero?

 

A: A hero is hard to define because everyone's perception is different. For me, my perfect hero is my husband. Besides the fact that he's drop dead gorgeous, he works six days a week so that I can stay at home and write fulltime and follow my dream. Even though he truly doesn't like to read, he listens to me go on and on about my stories. He's tall, strong, and he always supports me in pursuing my dreams. What more of a hero could I want? And yes, I base a lot of my hero's personality traits on my husband.

 

Q: How do you know if you've written a good story?

 

A: Easy, I cry my eyes out. Drives my husband batty because I'm writing something that makes me cry, but what can I say, sometimes you just need to crybecause then afterwards, you get to be happy.

 

Q: Which comes first, the story, the characters, or the setting?

 

A: The idea comes first. I have an entire file that is nothing but ideas. It could be a word, or a paragraph, or a song title, or even a dream I had. Whatever the idea is, I go with it and create a story. I do not write out story outlines because I never know where my story is going to go, sometimes from paragraph to paragraph.

 

Q: What's your favorite thing about writing?

 

A: Besides the romance side of things, I like being able to create worlds. When I write a story, I see it unfold in my head like a movie. I see the characters talking to each other and interacting together. The ability to be able to create this entire world is amazing to me. Take The Katzman's Mate for example, I created an entire planetary system with worlds, a centralized government, and a race of catmen with pointed ears and everything. There are even blue skinned aliens. How cool is that?

 

Q: Do you have a favorite character?

 

A: Yes! In one book, Mr. Wonderful, I have a character named Julian. I loved writing him because there were no holds barred on Julian. His best friend likened him to a car accident waiting to happen people just couldn't look away. He has spiked hair, piercings, green eyeliner, and neon green nail polish. He's always laughing and fun loving. I loved creating Julian.

 

Q: How do I come up with dreamy characters?
A: Usually it starts with a name, then I build my characters around that. Some names just sound so sexy to me, like Cadenwhat kind of man do you see in your head when you think of this name?

Others give me the impression of someone feisty or cute. Once I have a name chosen, then I start building the character. What do I want him to look like? Is he tall, short, in between? I love strong alpha males. I've always had this belief that they need love more than others. They always have to be strong and powerful, taking care of others. They need that extra bit of love, someone that is dedicated to taking care of them, loving them. So, usually, there is at least one "alpha dominant male type on each story. They just work so well with the smaller hero/heroine that doesn't take crap from them and isn't impressed by their "power".

 

Q: It appears you write in all sorts of genres. How did that come about?
A: Truthfully? I had no idea I would be writing in so many genres until my publisher told me. I was just writing a story. I don't start a book to fit into a certain genre. I write the book, then figure out where it fits. I truly never know what my book is going to be about until it happens. Sometimes, not even from paragraph to paragraph. I just have a basic idea and start with that. So, I write pretty much anything and everything. You should see the mess that is in my head. I also don't think, as writers, we should be tied down to one genre. I think it makes a better story to just write it, then figure out where it fits.

 

Q: Show us what your audience looks like?

 

A: My audience would feel a tingle in the middle of their palm when they read a really good erotic romance/romance novel. They would cry at the sad things and the conflicts, maybe even laugh at the humor. They might come across a passage that they just had to read to someone else. It would be all they could do not to go to the end of the book and read it just to make sure that the characters had a happy ending. My audience would believe in true love and happily ever after endings.

 

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