Q: What is your writing day like?
A: I wake at 7:00 a.m., dress, and get the kids ready for school. From 7:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., I answer e-mail, promote and chat on Yahoo groups. At 8:15 a.m., I drop the kids at school, return home for 30 minutes to eat and review the last pages of writing done the previous day, then leave for my day job. I work as a data conversion operator from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., taking five/ten minute breaks each hour which I use to write my latest manuscript. Dinner is around 6:30 p.m., then there is homework, baths, playtime, and finally bed for the kids at 9:00. For me there is time to type out the day's writings, write more if the energy holds out, catch a few quality minutes with hubby and curl up with someone else's book between 11:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. to read myself to sleep.
Q: How much does reader reaction mean to you as an author?
A: Absolutely everything! Without readers, I would be out of a job. I write because it brings me joy and a sense of accomplishment but much of those feelings come from hearing a reader's reaction to my story. I write to entertain and if I can accomplish that then my job is done. If I fail to sufficiently entertain a reader, I want to know that too. Criticism has helped me grow as a writer and better my craft.
Q: Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
A: The story, or at least parts of it, usually come first. Then the characters come in and lead me through the rest of the story.
Q: Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?
A: I start off in control but my characters always take it away from me rather quickly. If they don't then I know I'm doing something wrong and it's time to backtrack and start again.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Most days, I can be a pretty boring person. When I'm not writing, I'm reading. I've got books all over the house just so I can squeeze in that few minutes of reading time while I'm waiting on something. I also enjoy going for long walks on nature trails or through the woods, playing with my boys, and computer games. Oh, and I love heavy metal concerts. They are my stress relief, so to speak. Give me a Disturbed or Mudvayne concert and a couple of to let go and all is right in my little world again :).
