FAQ
What do you write?
I write YA and adult romance!
When did you start writing?
I used to put together novels in elementary school. I’d create covers using construction paper and sandwich loose leaf in between. My mother would hole-punch the packet and I’d tie it all together with pieces of yarn. The art projects stopped, but the writing didn’t. In middle school, I expanded into fan fiction by writing Nancy Drew and Frank Hardy love stories (Nancy Drew + Frank Hardy = True Love). After that, I focused on my own ideas for romances and the rest is history!
What is your writing process?
At this point in my career, I’ve decided to adopt a process according to what the book demands from me. When I get the first spark of an idea, it is usually because I’m asking myself a ‘what if’ question. For example: What if a person has met his soulmate eighteen times and doesn’t know it? What if a mom used to be a dancer and wants her kid to dance? My story is then the answer to the ‘what if’ question and a series of other who-what-where-when-why inquiries.
How do you find time to write a novel?
A lot of my time management comes from discipline and reasonable goal setting (which is an ongoing learning process for me). If I have a novel that I know I have to finish by the end of the month, I’ll set short term and long term goals every day/week so I can meet my target. I then make sure that I work on my book as often as I can, whenever I can so I can succeed. I also give myself a little buffer time just in case I have an emergency come up. I also don’t beat myself up if I can’t meet a goal. It’s important to be realistic about progress, too.
What are you working on right now?
Follow me on social media for updates on my writing projects! You can also follow my newsletter for more, linked above.
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get published?
I can tell you what I’ve been told and what I’ve experienced: read what you want to write, and write what you want to write. Practice makes perfect (which is subjective). Do what you love and love what you do. And most importantly, talking about writing isn’t the same as actually doing it. Get your butt in a chair and write! Check out my writing advice page for more info!
I have this great story idea. Can you read/write it for me?
Alas, no. Sorry. I have my own ideas and stories that take up so much of my time. If you want someone to read your stuff, I suggest forming a critique group and reading a critique partner’s work. My critique group really helps me out when I need an objective point of view. Good luck!
