I have always felt the urge to write. Many times over the years I have penned small stories. But I kept them to myself. I have put others and responsibilities before my dreams to write. Finally, the stories percolated for so long, that they overflowed and had to be put on paper.

With the support of my family, I have found the courage to share these stores with you. I hope you love my characters and their stores so much that that you laugh and cry with them as you cheer them on to find true love.

 

 

 

 

 

When I decided to place the stories in my head on paper, I started writing in the car. The house was too hectic and the car was a place where I could concentrate. I’d bring my writing partner, my maltipoo Lady, and she’d take a nap in the seat beside me as I typed away. As long as I reached over and rubbed her belly every once in a while, she was more than happy to hang with me and my characters.

I graduated to an actual room within the house. Our first attempt at a writing room was using our dining room. We pushed the table up against the windows, added a computer, stickies, pens, paper, and called it a desk. My husband had a rolling chair that was too short of the table and he placed it on a platform made out of plywood. If I tilted too far to the left, right or backwards, I’d roll off!

Now I have a beautiful writing room. My husband made a desk that flows in front of three wide widows. My chair is the perfect height, and all my puppies sleep at my feet. Every once in a while my white Indian Ringneck parrot, Hope, will fly in, sit on my shoulder and check my progress. My characters and I are right at home.

It’s amazing how something that happens within your day will spark an idea for a book. A phrase, word, image or person will make me wonder “what if…” Once that happens a story idea is born, placed on a note and tucked aside.

Sometimes I have a very vivid dream. As if my mind is saying “Hello! This character needs you to tell her story!” I wake and write down what I can remember before the images fade away.

Life is full of stories waiting to be told. All with a happy ending where good triumphs over evil and love saves the day.

I’m a plotter, meaning I plot out my stories. I am in awe of authors who sit down and write a story from beginning to end without planning anything else.

Once I have an idea, I begin with “what if? And then what?” I’ve made sheets of papers that help with my process in characterization, plotting, goals, motivation, etc.  All these sheets have become my novel roadmap.

Once i’ve filled out the papers to the best of my ability, I take the points, write them on stickies and plot them into chapters. I then take each of those chapters and do a quick write. Where I tell myself that I am a brave writer and I write from the heart without worrying about how it sounds or what readers will think.

Then with each chapter I Set the Scene, Strengthen & Give Character and Sparkle & Shine before I share with the manuscript with my balcony people. Once I get their input, I go back and edit the manuscript until it’s the best possible novel that I can write.

Then I send the book out to all of you, while hoping and praying that you’ll love it as much as I do.