Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do you find time to write?

I work full-time, so it is a challenge to find the time to write. If I want to get any writing done I have to set aside writing time and give up other fun things, like reading or watching tv. My children are older (16, 20, 23, 25), so they don't require quite as much attention as they used to.

Q. Where do you get your ideas?

My ideas can come from anywhere. For example, for No Way Out I was driving one day and thought: What if a woman is making the bed, and as she tucks in the sheets she finds a bunch of money under the mattress? And then her husband disappears. I have a pretty active imagination, which is great for writing, but not so great in real life. If one of my children is late coming home my imagination can get me worried because I do the What if? thing. I have to convince myself that they're probably fine.

Q. How long does it take you to write a book?

It varies. For my first published novel, No Way Out, I wrote it seven years before it was accepted by my publisher. I took four years off from writing to go back to school and earn my Bachelor's degree, then I did many revisions. In the case of that book, I'd say it took six to eight months. However, with Don't Look Back it only took six weeks. I think the reason for that is because I'd written several books by then, plus because it was a sequel, I knew the main character really well. Also, I had a really good idea of what I wanted to happen and it seemed to flow out of my mind a lot faster.

Q. What made you want to start writing ?

I've always loved to read - in fact that's one thing that's been hard to give up. I still read, but not nearly as much as I used to. When I was about eleven or twelve I first tried to write a novel. I wrote about two pages and then didn't know where to go next with the story and gave up. Then, in 1997, I read a book and thought, this author didn't have to know anything special to write this. Why don't I give it a try? This is also when we bought our first computer, which made it so much easier to write.

I didn't tell anyone I was writing a story. I wanted to see if I could do it first. I love to make up stories and come up with interesting twists. Another motivation was to write a good suspense story that was clean - no profanity or sexual content. I love to read suspense but I particularly hate it when there is a lot of profanity. To me that doesn't add to the story and I will actually often stop reading a book if the profanity is excessive.

Q. What books do you like to read?

I love any kind of suspense book. I love it when I get drawn into a story and can't put it down. Some authors I enjoy are Suzanne Collins, Mary Higgins Clark, and John Grisham.

Q. How did you get published?

In 1997, after I'd written my first manuscript, I went to a mystery writer/reader convention in Monterey, CA. I met with a couple of agents and they agreed to let me send the first three chapters of the story to them. They ultimately turned it down. It wasn't ready for publication yet. I wrote the first draft of No Way Out that same year and continued to revise both manuscripts.

In 1999 we moved to Utah from the Central Valley of California. I was able to meet with an editor at Covenant, a regional publisher, and she really liked my first manuscript. I did more revisions and officially submitted it to Covenant. It went to the committee that decides what to publish, but they turned it down. About this time I went back to school and my writing went on the back burner.

In early 2004, after more revisions on No Way Out, I submitted it to Covenant. The week I graduated from college I received word that Covenant was interested, but I needed to make more revisons. I did as they asked and resubmitted it. They asked for more revisions and I complied. Finally, in October 2004 they accepted it for publication. Once it was accepted I worked with my editor to do even more revisions and it was finally released in July, 2005.

It was a long process and a lot of work, but it was also very rewarding to finally see my book in print.

Now though, I've become an indie author. I've decided to take complete control of my books and publish them as eBooks. I love that I can write what I want at the pace I want and get my books out to my readers as soon as the books are complete.

Q. Do you have any advice for aspiring writer?

The best advice I can give is to write. The more you write, the better you'll get. Also, read, read, and read some more. Read in the genre in which you want to write. Also read books that teach the craft of writing. If you want to go the traditional publishing route, don't expect to get published right away. Most writers have to spend years learning the craft of writing before their work is good enough to be considered for publication. Like any profession, you have to put the time in before you can expect rewards. But the main thing is to not give up and keep writing!

However, if you feel your books are ready for publication but you're not getting anywhere going the traditional route, you can choose to self-publish as an indie author and get your books out there and let the readers decide if your work is worth buying.