When did you realize you wanted to write novels?
I started writing women’s fiction novels in my twenties. Those books are in the closet where they belong, but that’s how I learned how to craft a book.
How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?
It felt like forever. But once I got serious about having a book worthy of publication it took about nine years. There was downtime in between, where I wasn’t really trying, but it was a long road.
Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?
Traditionally. A small publisher called Level Best Books
Where do you write?
Usually in my office, but I get some of my best writing done on a plane.
Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?
I can’t write in total silence. I usually have the TV on, even if I’m not paying attention to the show.
How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?
The main character in my probation series is a probation officer. I held that job for about twenty-five years, so I drew on a lot of my experiences for realism, settings, and feelings, but the story itself is totally fiction.
Describe your process for naming your character?
Sounds bizarre, but they pretty much come to me fully formed with names. For some of the smaller characters I peruse baby name sites until something grabs me.
Real settings or fictional towns?
My probation series takes place in Phoenix. I’ve written a cozy mystery that has a fictional town.
What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
One of my characters thinks she’s psychic despite the fact that she’s often taken by surprise.
What’s your quirkiest quirk?
I noticed in a recent zoom interview that I bite my lip a lot. Didn’t know I did this until I watched the video. I need to stop that!
If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?
I would love to be able to do what Jodi Picoult does. I love all her books. She takes a current event and writes it so you can see it from all sides.
Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?
Gosh, most things. I feel in hindsight you could have done everything better. But I try not to dwell on that. There’s no use.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
When someone talks over you and doesn’t give anyone a chance to take part in the conversation.
You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
My dogs (Oh, that takes up 2), and a really long book. I’d say pen and notebook so I could write but then I’d have to leave one of my dogs behind.
What was the worst job you’ve ever held?
I was a behind-the-wheel driving instructor. It was terrifying.
Who’s your all-time favorite literary character (any genre)? Why?
Nancy Drew because she led me to love mysteries. Loved her curiosity!
Ocean or mountains?
Ocean. Nothing puts me at peace like going to the coast.
City girl/guy or country girl/guy?
The older I get, the more I like the country. But cities can be fun. I just can’t handle them for more than a few days, if not hours at a time.
What’s on the horizon for you?
It’s my debut year! I plan to attend as many conferences and writing events as I can to network and talk about Obey All Laws. The second book in the series is due in June, so I’m tweaking that. Also working on book 3.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?
Obey All Laws is a quick, fun read. I wanted to bring the world of a probation officer to life. It’s an under-represented profession that most people don’t know much about. What better job to write about as Casey is exposed to the wildest and craziest of human behavior. I’m hoping that a glimpse into Casey’s world will bring some recognition to the field.
A Probation Case Files Mystery, Book 1
Phoenix probation officer Casey Carson’s cousin goes missing at the hands of Diablo, a Phoenix gang. With women vanishing at an alarming rate in the area, police treat Hope’s disappearance as a priority. Still, Casey can’t sit on the sidelines, even with her ex-husband leading the investigation. After she receives information that proves her suspicions about Diablo right, the gang will do anything to keep her from sharing it with police, even if that means taking her on a one-way trip to the desert.
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