What is your favorite writing and reading genre?
Writing -- historical fiction. Reading -- fantasy/speculative fiction. It's odd that I (at least right now) have no compulsion to try and write speculative fiction. But I love to read it.
Where and how did you get your idea for your books?
Everywhere! Sometimes conversation, sometimes from the newspaper, other times I will read a book and come across just an odd name and start thinking... what would a person with that name be like?
If a movie or TV show would be created for your books, which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead roles for your books?
I hereby admit that I never watch TV or go to the movies. So the names of actors that I know are few and generally rather dated... When I picture Deborah Samson, I think of someone who looks kind of like kd lang, in her younger years.
When did you decide to become a writer?
After I became an English teacher - I started getting interested in how the writing process worked, how I could teach it better, how writing practice affected writing outcomes.
How did you get your book published? How long did it take for you to get it published?
I wrote it. That's the first step! Write a full draft. And then revise it. A lot. After that I found an agent who loved it and believed in it... rewrote it with her. Then she sent it to publishers and one of them bought it. From start to end, it took a little over two years.
Do you ever get writer's Block? If so, which book did you get the worst while writing?
I get frustrated, sometimes, and tempted to abandon a project. So I often find myself leaving a manuscript for a few days or a week or a month and working on something else, then going back.
What is the average time for you to write a book?
It really varies! Sometimes I can get a draft together in six months. Other times much longer...
For your own reading, do you prefer kindle or paperback books?
Paper! Though I read on Kindle when I travel.
How are the covers made for your books?
The publishers do that - I gave some input about themes and ideas but then they assemble a team of artists and designers and come up with something. That's great for me... I am not a visual artist by any means!
What advice would you give writer wannabes and future/young authors?
Write a lot - every day if possible - and don't rush to publish. Write for yourself for a while; write for family and for friends. Write what you want and what feels good for you. Worry about a wider audience later.
What do you do during your free time, how do you relax?
I like to cook. I like to go for walks.
