Silver Dagger Tours – Lynyrd Station Protectors Security BoxSet

Interview with the author

How long have you been writing?

13 years and boy have I learned a ton in that 13 years!!!! Whoo!

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?

It’s honestly a bit of both. There’s no rhyme or reason to it.

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?

It depends on the book. My Lynyrd Station Protectors – Trafficking series required the most research. There are nine books in this series and each book features a protector who was injured while in the line of duty and has had to be retrained from their previous professions because of their disability. I had to research amputees and issues associated with wearing a prosthetic leg and arm. I’ve had to research PTSD and some of the pitfalls. I’ve researched back injuries, hearing loss, hip degeneration based on injury. But I’m so proud of these heroes and heroines and I love that they’ve each gotten a story!

Do you see writing as a career?

This is my career, I’m a full time writer and I love it!

What do you think about the current publishing market?

I’m not gonna lie, it’s tough. Visibility is a monster and there’s so much out there a writer needs to learn. Writing the story is sadly only about ten percent of having a publishing business. The rest is advertising, marketing, writing newsletters/emails each week, commissioning covers, or narrators, or translators. Keeping accurate books.

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?

Yes and I love many genres. Paranormal – love it. I’ve always wanted to write a paranormal series. I just may one day. I love historical romance. Oh, how I love those. Contemporary romance, romantic suspense, so many. I do not read horror or thrillers though – I need my beauty rest.

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?

The stereo is always on in our house. I love music and having it in the background is a must.

Pen or type writer or computer?

OMG – computer. It’s so much cleaner and faster.

What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?

I outline first. When I begin a series, I loosely outline the entire series first. Then the books within the series, especially if there’s an on-going storyline behind the scenes. Then I continue to hone the plot within the story I’m writing. If there are things that have to flow to the next story, or stories down the way, I add them to the outline so there is consistency.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

If I knuckle down I can write a book in a month. But I usually allow two months for each book.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

Absolutely. Though I think it’s not as much writer’s block, but writer’s attention span. Currently we’ve just moved and are in the midst of selling a house. It takes my attention away from writing and my mind wanders. And, sadly, I’m the type of person who has to have everything in order so my mind will settle and focus on what has to be done.