What inspires you to write?
Like many other ‘creatives’ that I've spoken with, I have received sparks of inspiration from many different and unrelated things. Whether it's a conversation on a Podcast, a book I'm reading, a quote or song lyric I've heard, etc. Flashes of inspiration fused with the motivation to actually sit down and write can come from anywhere and at anytime. That's why I always keep a notebook and my favorite pen(s) handy.
Tell us about your writing process
Call me old fashioned but there's nothing like a pen and piece of paper for me. It gives me such a visceral connection to my work. It's not practical in our digital world of course, but I always begin every first draft the same way. Pen and blank sheet of paper, tap into my mental flow state and let ‘the muse, in her infinite wisdom’, pour through me. Then when the time is right I type everything out (usually in Scrivener) and use that ‘transfer’ time to do my first self edit.
Do you listen to or talk to your characters? How do you interact with your characters while you are writing?
I write both fiction and non-fiction. In fiction writing I've found it imperative to the story to let the characters do all the talking. I just listen and write. They really take off on their own, often to places and in directions I never thought they'd go in.
What advice would you give other writers? Readers and authors both are interested in what you have learned on your writing journey.
Write what you know. Write your heart, what you feel. You'll care more that way, and it'll show in your writing. I really believe that we can transmit feelings through the page that way.
How did you decide how to publish your books? what influenced you to publish with a publisher or self-publish your book. What would you advise new authors to explore?
There's a part of me that would love for a traditional publisher to pick up my book or any future books, and when that time comes I'll be all ears to see if it would pan out to be a mutually beneficial venture...but I like the freedom that comes with self-publishing. The control. The 360 degrees of oversight. Plus, what better way to learn about the industry and to have something tangible to compare the big publishing deals to when they come-a-knockin?
What do you think about the future of book publishing? No one has a crystal ball but as an author and reader, what do you think?
My ideal publishing future will have self-publishing rise to the ranks of the big six publishing houses in terms of opportunity, clout and credibility. The big six (or some combination of them) should remain as pillars of our community, but make way ... an equal way... for the self publishing house.