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1. What does success as a writer look like to you?
A successful writer, to me, is one who finds a niche or angle and tells it so that readers like the story you wrote and why.
2. How do you balance the demands of writing with other responsibilities?
I like to write when it is quiet so I often write in the early or late hours. And the bits of time available during my days I use for adding my notes to one central place.
3. Let's discuss your book SandPeople. Can you give us a short synopsis?
SandPeople is a book written with two main storylines. Its readership is Middle Grade/YA and adults have liked it as well. SandPeople's main character, Lea, is twelve, which is the age of growing up, I think. It is in this story. In the storyline of seeing something she wants to find an explanation for, she learns to be true to herself. In telling about her family's pending changes, she learns that others have needs, too, and how to handle change.
4. Where did the inspiration for the story come from?
I was on the Texas coast, where SandPeople is set, and got to listening to people tell and talk about ships, ghosts and things found along the beach.
5. Lea's parents are separating. Did you include that to teach children about divorce and separation?
Good question, thank you! I wrote that to show that sometimes there are changes we cannot control and that those can be hard on several people. That storyline has connected with a lot of adults whose families went through a separation and resonates with the feelings Lea has in SandPeople.
6. Do you see any of yourself in Lea?
I do; her sense of herself and learning to trust that and continue her own belief and path as she discovers the area's history and solves the puzzle that is SandPeople.
7. There are so many books for children this age. How did you make yours stand out?
I think I caught two good emotions in SandPeople, the sadness and adjustment of family changes, and the fact that twelve is time for growing up and choosing your direction. This is Lea's story of learning how to handle different places, people, and relationships. But other characters grow, too. Also, SandPeople came out in the summer of Covid, and the lessons it offers on handling things we cannot stop from happening connected well with readers going through that very same thing.
8. What's next? Any more books in the works?
Yes, I'm working on another Across Time book, a different time period but the characters are coming along well. I enjoy researching and weaving stories.
9. What advice would you give to upcoming authors?
Write for loving it, and read a lot. Keep a notebook of why you like a book or author.
I like to end with fun questions.
10. Which book from your childhood is your favorite?
I have a shelf of my well-worn books; they range from To Kill A Mockingbird to Fog Magic, Misty of Chincoteague, animal stories for sure.
11. If you were free of your responsibilities, what would you do for a summer?
If only! I would explore new places.
12. If you could live anywhere, where would you live and why?
I do love beaches so somewhere near the sea, and I'd have a horse. Those are both favorites of mine.
