Q: What inspires your writing?

A: Several things, but considering that I'm writing about love I will have to admit that predominately my husband does. He has shown me what unconditional love truly means and there are pieces of his character represented in every one of my heroes' personalities. Everything else is random, whether it's a guy at the stop light that just oozes masculinity or an old house that I drive by that I might think be the perfect location for a scene in a book.


Q: Are you the type that carries around a notepad and pen, making notes no matter where you are?

A: Actually I'm not. I have somewhat of a photographic memory and in a split second can visualize my thoughts in type and remember them for later. Now, if I am typing ninety miles an hour and think of something to add in at a different point in the story I have a blank page open on my laptop for notes. Oh, and thank goodness for laptops, if I had to write it all down by hand, I probably would have quit after the first page--I hate my handwriting.


Q: Did you read and write a lot when you were younger?

A: Yes. I read every Sherlock Holmes story I could get my hands on, as well as novels like Jane Eyre, The Scarlet Letter and Little Women. Although those were required reading in school I enjoyed them all, finding myself especially drawn to the romance in them. As for writing, I enjoyed it, but never found myself able to put on paper what I truly felt except for a short romance story that I wrote in high school. I hung on to that story for years until it was lost or discarded in one of our many moves. While the actual papers are gone, I remember that story and can visualize the characters to this day.


Q: You mentioned visualizing characters. Do you see them when you write?

A: Absolutely. I would imagine every writer does. It's like watching a movie in my head as I type. The fun part is I can play out a scene in my mind and change it if I decide to do something different. There's a lot of control there, and when there are so few things in life that you can control, it's nice to have that ability.


Q: As a newly published author, is there anything that you would like to share with someone who is trying to get published?

A: Writing is about what you, as an author, want to share with your readers. Once you start writing you have an obligation to yourself and your characters to finish your story. Even if the world that you create may not please everyone, it will inspire someone.


Q: Why did you decide to write erotic romance?

A: Well, other than the above mentioned novels that I read in school, I read my first real romance novel in October 2008. It was a mainstream novel and I loved it. I started writing my first manuscript and needed more inspiration. I then found myself reading Nora Roberts and Sherrilyn Kenyon and was completely hooked. I loved Kenyon's Dark Hunter series and found myself turning the heat up in my own writing. Then, after sending several submissions and receiving rejections to other publishing companies, I received acceptance from Siren Publishing. With Rachel's recommendations I turned up the heat just a bit more and that pretty much brings us to present day.