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I stumbled upon this questionnaire on a friend’s blog and thought it would be a fun way for me to share a little about myself and this writer’s life I lead.
 
When did you first start writing? Was being a writer something you always aspired to?
Is it cliched to say I’ve been storytelling as long as I can remember? Most likely. But it is something I’ve always enjoyed doing. Once the writing skills came, I translated that into written stories. I never considered writing as something I could do; it was just something that I did. I enjoyed the freedom of expression it allowed me. And, of course, I’ve always liked the product of writing – books!
It wasn’t until about three years ago, when I got that little nudge, that I entertained the idea that writing was something I could pursue as a career instead of just a hobby.
What genre do you write?
I write Historical Romance from the Georgian era in Great Britain, approximately 1714-1837. While I focus mainly on Regency England (a tiny little piece of that timeline from 1811-1820), I enjoy the aspects and historical events of the broader period and may incorporate them into later stories.
Recently,  I came up with the idea for a contemporary-paranormal-suspense-investigative…thing… that is kind of blowing my mind right now because it is so different from anything I read or write. It’s on the back burner while I work my historicals, but it’s an interesting idea that I’m dying to run with.
Can you tell us a little about your current work in progress? When did you start working on this project?
My current work in progress (WIP) is part of my Reluctant Lords series – in which all the Heroes are granted titles they were never meant to have. “The Seduction of the Duke” is book #1 in the series.
Someone did an online challenge for authors to write their book’s premise in ONE sentence using fifteen words or less. So here it is:

Two strangers navigate a marriage of convenience while trying to overcome scandals of the past.

Intriguing, no?
I came up with the original idea two years ago this month. It was my National Novel Writing Month (NaNo for short) project. It has gone through so many changes that the only things that have stayed the same between then and now is the names of the characters and the basic premise mentioned in the above one-liner.
What was your first piece that you can remember writing? What was it about?
An assignment waaaaaay back in elementary school, I must have been 6 or 7. We were told to write – and illustrate – a children’s book. I remember the assignment, but for some reason cannot remember what my book was about. I think I mentally blocked it out because of the drawings – I could hardly draw a stick figure with any accuracy, much less illustrate a book. Come to think of it, I still can’t.
I dabbled in essays and poetry for a while. Poetry was too maudlin for me, but I loved the essays. They were a way for me to get out what was going on in my overactive mind.
What’s the best part about writing?
I should probably say “the joy of expressing myself in the written word” or some such folderol, but who am I kidding. I like a good story. I like researching, writing, talking about writing, plotting, brainstorming, I love it all! Though I do have to rein myself in when researching because I can get a little too carried away sometimes. If you doubt that, ask me about exploding eyeballs… 😑
Recently, I have begun to enjoy the revision process. I like being able to take what I call “good bones” and fleshing them out and turning them into a cohesive story. I like adding and embellishing and being able to be picky with my word choice.
I’m a stickler for word choice. I make mine to double or triple duty. Whether it’s for imagery or subtext or double meaning, I will agonise over the use of certain words.
What’s the worst part about writing?
The actual sitting down in front of the computer and writing. After working 10+ hours in front of a computer at the Day Job, it is extremely hard to come home and sit in front of a computer and write.
Also, Critique Group. Don’t get me wrong, I love my group. There are only four of us, and we all support each other and want the best for each other. That being said, I hate getting live feedback on what I’ve submitted to them. I know it’ll help, in the long run, but it makes me nervous to hear what others think of my work.
If anyone ever tells you writing is solitary work, they are lying! Writing is a group effort, regardless of whose name is on the cover. It’s the back of the book “Thank Yous” that give you the real picture of what writing is like. Rumour has it that we writers are a solitary people, but we aren’t. We just pretend to be. :)
What’s the name of your favourite character and why?
Oh, it’s a toss up! I adore the Heroine in my current book – Delaney Townsend. I just LOVE her name. Though not a traditional Georgian or Regency name, it’s so fitting of her. She’s not a meek little wallflower, nor is she some brazen temptress. Delaney’s been through some hard times, but she’s a survivor and will do whatever it takes to make it. She’s not an out  and out fighter, but there’s a quiet strength about her that has served her well.
The other character I love us the Hero’s best friend. Known as Stryker to his friends, he’s a ladies man and a real charmer who is also hiding a deep secret of his own. Not even his closest friends know what it is. Sadly, no one gets to find out what it is until book #4. Sorry!
Here’s a fun fact: Stryker is actually named after a friend’s dog. The real Stryker was a breeder for Guide Dogs of America. I actually took him with me when I went to the RWA Literacy Signing when it was in Anaheim, CA. I mean, what better place for a handsome “ladies man” than a romance convention? By-the-by, this is also the same friend who gave me the last little nudge into writing. Thanks, Tina! You can even follow Stryker on facebook!
How much time a day/week do you get to write? When is the best time for you to write (morning or night)?
I’m nocturnal by nature and do my best work late at night. However, being forced to work daytime hours at the Day Job, I am slowly adjusting to forcing the creativity around my schedule.
After 10 years, my computer finally went obsolete (I can’t update or upgrade its system anymore), so while I’m waiting to get a new one I’ve been working on my iPad and iPhone. I’ve done a ridiculous amount of writing on my iPhone – like this post.
It’s convenient, I can work anytime and any place. Standing in line at the DMV? Why let myself be bored when I can write a novel? How about that cross-country flight to visit Fave Nephie and Fave Niece? That is five hours of uninterrupted writing time. What if it’s 2am and I wake up with a brilliant idea? I’ll either type it out in Evernote or Google documents, or voice record what I’m thinking. It’s all right there when I need it. Literally at my fingertips.
My favourite place to write is this little coffee shop called the Ink & Bean in Anaheim, CA. It’s not exactly close to me, but, oh! What a creative space it is. With books flying through the air and vintage typewriters (and espresso machine), it’s a lovely place to be. The baristas are wonderful and super friendly!
Did you go to college for writing?
College? What’s that?
Just kidding. I did attend community college for several years (curse you mathematics!) but at the time I was – and still am to a degree – fascinated with the soft sciences. My major was Anthropology, but I couldn’t decide which I liked more: biological (bones and primate studies) or social (culture and such), so I studied both. I also had a strong focus on law enforcement since that was my ultimate goal as a career.
I took the requisite English classes (what is it with Hemingway?), and I recall taking one creative writing class, but the assignments were not to my liking, so I didn’t pursue it any further than that. I wasn’t a very dedicated student.
I do keep toying with the idea of going back and getting an MFA, though. It can only make my writing stronger, after all.
What bothers you more: spelling errors; punctuation errors, or errors in grammar? 
Considering I had to go through and correct the mistakes on the above question that were purposely made (speeling errors; punctuation, errors; or errors for grammar) I would have to say all three equally have my hatred.
What is the best writing advice that anyone has given you?
“Get it outa your head and onto the page.” That from a screenwriting instructor I had. He was my kind of people. Blunt with a sarcastic edge that always got the point across.
What advice would you give to another writer?
See above.
Just write. Don’t make excuses: everyone’s got them, and no one wants to hear them. Just. Write.
Also, Embrace Your Weird. There’s only one of you, make your stories as unique as you  :)
What are your favourite writing sites or blogs that you turn to for help, tips or encouragement?
My favorite has to be Helping Writers Become Authors. Its creator, K.M. Weiland, is very active on Twitter and Facebook and is such a great supporter of writers of all strengths. Her website truly is a wonderful place to explore and learn from. I always look forward to her Writing Question of the Day (#WQOTD) as it gets me thinking about the little things.

Besides writing, what else do you enjoy doing? What are your hobbies?
Writing used to be my hobby, but now it’s more of an obsession. :)
I am on the board for one of my chapters and am on the committee for the 2017 California Dreamin’ Writers Conference.
I’m not especially crafty, but I do love to cook. In fact, I have taken cooking and turned it into research by joining the Historical Food Fortnightly challenge. It’s on hiatus until January, so there are no recent recipes to blog about, By using popular recipes from Georgian England, I can call it research (see what I mean about research? It’ll take over your life if you let it). Plus I feel a little more in-tune with my characters.
I adore critters of all kinds. I raised a puppy for Guide a Dogs of America. He decided it wasn’t the career for him, so he switched to urban search and rescue with the National Disaster Search Fog Foundation. Both are wonderful organisations! I would love to puppy raise again if only the Day Job would allow it. I keep telling myself that if I can work full-time as a writer, then I will puppy raise again.
What’s the best book you’ve read this year?
Oh, my! It’s like trying to pick a favorite child! Umm…all of them…?
What’s the best movie you’ve seen this year?
I think the last movie I saw in the theatre was “X-Men: Days of Future Past”. But I couldn’t tell you if it was this year or last. Now that I read and write more, I find my attention span for TV and movies has decreased. I am looking forward to Star Wars next month, though! #nerdalert
Call it a by-product of my chosen genre, but I am a big fan of period dramas on TV. Outlander and Poldark are my new favorites and I can’t wait for them to return.

What is your favourite book or series of all time?
I’d have to say Dresden Files for non-romance series. I love a smart-ass wizard. :)
For romance, I can’t pick just one, there are so many that speak to me. They make me feel as if I were in the book, not reading it. They are on my rereader list.
Favorite stand alone books? I’d have to say To Kill A Mockingbird and Congo. I read them at least once a year. TKAM because it’s a beautiful story that’s beautifully and innocently told. And Congo for its seamless blend of facts, science, mythology and that ever exciting “what if” factor.
Who is your favourite author?
Of all time? I’m a big fan of Ray Bradbury and Edgar Allen Poe. The macabre and twisted speaks to me. I think it goes back to my days working in the coroner’s office. I also love Michael Crichton. Like mentioned above, all his stories have that blend of facts and science and fiction that make me wonder if it really did happen, or is it only a could’ve happened.
What are your plans for the rest of the year in terms of your writing?
I just finaled in my first contest. I was shocked to find out I received 2nd place (we writers are a sensitive lot and always think our stuff is terrible!). Not going to lie…it is super exciting and super scary to know people are reading my work.
I’m working on finishing up The Seduction of the Duke and putting the polishing touches on it in order to enter it in the Golden Heart and the Orange Rose contests.
After that, I’ll be submitting to a few publishers in the hopes that one will want to take it on. By entering contests an making the most of every opportunity presented, I have three publishers who are interested in seeing the full manuscript. That is hugely exciting! Also, a bit nerve wracking the more I think about it.

Where else can we find you online?