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 (13, 17, 19, 21), so they don't require quite as much attention as they used to. At this pace it takes me longer to write, which is why I haven't published more.

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's really hard to say, because the first draft of No Way Out was written 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. But if I had to guess, I'd say it took six to eight months. When I start my next project I might actually keep track of how long it takes.

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 inappropriate behavior.

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 national authors I enjoy are Mary Higgins Clark, John Grisham, and Michael Crichton. LDS authors I enjoy include Betsy Brannon Green, Nancy Campbell Allen, Jenny Hansen, Jeff Savage, and many more. It's great to see so many LDS authors on the bookshelves. So many times with national authors you have to be careful about the content. I don't worry about that in the LDS market.

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 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.

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. 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!