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What inspired you to start writing?
I've written stories, lists, thoughts, plans, kept a journal all of my life. Writing is as natural to me as breathing.
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Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
I recently finished the sixth book in a series collectively titled, 'Birds in Peril. Here is the series synopsis:
Five women met, fell in love with and married men who aided the arrest and subsequent imprisonment of Sheldon Humsler. Even though the events that disrupted their lives, did not necessarily involve Humsler, they certainly invoked the conviction that one day Humsler would find a way to enact his revenge. All of these women and the men they married are in some way closely connected to Humsler’s arch enemies, Benton Cromwell, T.J. Harvester, and Thad Hunt. Because of Humsler, Benton Cromwell’s life and livelihood have become so precarious he now lives as an invalid on borrowed time. However, his friends, T.J. Harvester and Thad Hunt, continue to grow in family, and in deed. Both are well-loved by many. T Humsler has an accomplice…someone closely connected to Hunt….but who could that possibly be?
And then, even after Humsler meets his personal karma and all the mysteries appear solved, another villain emerges seeking revenge on the most innocent.
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How do you create your characters?
As I write primarily about a kind of life in the rural area where I have lived all of my life most of my characters reflect a general description of someone I have met (or know) at some point in my life.
I may liken physical appearances of characters after someone, or famous actors. I allow my characters to take on their own personality as the stories build. This is how they surprise me. For instance, the character Sheldon Humsler, in the Birds in Peril Series became quite a bit more demented than I originally believed he could be.
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What does your typical writing day look like?
As I have spent years helping with daily farm work, I tend to do most serious writing in the late afternoon or evening. I'm a night owl. Some of my best writing has occured after midnight. I do often carry a tablet or something I can write on if I'm working on a particular idea while I'm also needed out doors.
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What has been the most rewarding part of being an indie author?
Above the independence, the encouraging contact from other authors and my readers.
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What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your writing journey?
Writers block. Recent physicall illness almost prevented the last two books in the Bird series from being completed.
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Do you have any favorite writing tools or apps?
no
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What advice would you give to new or aspiring indie authors?
Just write it. No one else can pull the story, poem or song from your mind and place it in a physical format but you. Just write the words that come to you. You can polish them later.
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How do you handle book promotion as an indie author?
Websites such as this one are the best promo source.
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What’s next for you? Are you working on a new book?
Yes, I have an new WIP. But I am reluctant to talk about it until I have a more certain date toward its completion.
