How long have you been writing?
I started writing in 2004, summer. I’d finished my Masters in History with a minor in German at the end of the summer in 2003, and I wanted something fun and relaxing to read. I had a friend who carried around books all the time, so I asked to borrow one. I was hooked, and then one day I was lying on the couch reading and wondered what I’d write if I were to write a book. It’d have to be Contemporary Romantic Suspense with a lot of romance but a good storyline, too. So I went to my computer and three weeks later I’d finish the first of the trilogy that was actually my second trilogy to publish.
What, or who, inspired you to write?
I’ve always liked to read, but in high school I read Louis L’Amour westerns, then in 2003 I started reading the romance my friend did, so my friend, Lori, got me started and has to be considered my inspiration, along with all my favorite authors I adore and wish I could emulate.
Where do you get your ideas for your books?
Most of my ideas come from real life. I do very little research because I write intrigue, and the stories are from my past history as a Morse Code operator, although they are heavily expanded upon, of course. I’m not that cool or interesting, not like the characters in my books. lol
What genres do you write and which is your favorite genre to write?
I write Contemporary Romantic Suspense with DEA, CIA, FBI heroes and heroines, and I also write stalkers of all sorts, but I just began last summer a book with dragon / human characters, so romantic fantasy is my latest venture.
Can you tell us about your favorite hero and/or heroine in one of your
stories?
I like strong women, so my favorite I think so far is my female assassin, but the men are fabulous, too. I wish all men were like the men in my books. I know. I know. Wishful thinking, right? lol
When you write about a hero/heroine, are there parts of your characters that you take from your own experiences in your life?
As I mentioned above, yes, definitely, I take a lot of characteristics from myself and people I know and put them into my characters. I’ve lived a rich life. I’ve seen and done a lot, and I’ve been so many places. It’s easy to come up with ideas when you know the people I do.
Do you have favorite props that you use to bolster a story? Why do you use them?
I like river scenes. Something about the sensuality of water and the outdoors. But anywhere will do to have an amazing love scene. lol
When you are writing a book, do the characters become a part of your everyday life? How do you deal with it if they take over your everyday world?
They don’t take over, but I do find myself day dreaming a lot and thinking of upcoming scenes and not focusing on what I probably should be doing: my job, housework, whatever. lol
Does your family encourage you to write?
Most of my family is very supportive of my writing, but none of them read my work. They talk about the fact I’m a writer as if they’re proud of me, but I find it very odd that they don’t want to read my books, even if they read other works. But like so many other writers, I have lots of people that I know that just don’t read. I find that to be a real shame. I can’t imagine not reading, or writing. It’s a large part of my life and always has been.
***You have a busy life with a career and family. How do you find time to write? Do you have a schedule? Are you still teaching or have you retired? If you need to change this question around, please do so. Kat
I am going to be 45 years old, in April, so I have a long ways to go before retirement, but I have time to write because I have two kids out of school and living their own lives, although my oldest daughter thinks I’m babysitting-Grandma, and my son thinks I should cater to him when he’s home from the army, ugh! And then there’s the teenage daughter who thinks life revolves around her, but I still find time to write. I teach full time, and I teach college classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and I coach Mock Trial, German Club, National History Day Competition and Model United Nations Competition. All these take place between January and April every year, so the rest of the year is writing time, although I do get some editing time in during those busy real-life-work months.
I don’t have a schedule, but I’m a work-a-holic, so I just make time, literally. Haven’t you all figured out how to rewind the clock yet? LOL
If for some reason you could not write anymore, how would you creatively express yourself?
Ugh, the only way I wouldn’t’ be able to write anymore is if I had no fingers to do, which means I have no idea how I’d express myself, but it wouldn’t be through art…but I do sing, although at times that’s a problem, too, since I have asthma. I talk ninety miles an hour, so teaching is the best job in the world for me aside for writing. lol
Beyond that, I have no idea what I’d do to be artistic…hmmm…something for us all to think about, I suppose.
