What is your writing process like?
The entire process is chaotic. Feeling pressure makes it impossible for me to write. When I am writing a story, I try and set word counts each day to meet, but the more I organize myself, the less likely I am to meet set goals.
How do you come up with ideas for stories and characters?
I am inspired by little things, the turn of a phrase in a song, some crazy news item, and conversations with friends.
What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
Not being able to shut out the noise.
How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?
Not everyone is going to like what I write, I am ok with that - it's not for everyone.
What is the most challenging part of your writing process?
Finding time to write.
How long have you been writing, or when did you start?
Since childhood. I always enjoyed telling stories, reading, and playing pretend.
What advice would you give writers working on their first book?
Don't quit.
How do you develop your plot and characters?
Organically. Everything comes together when the time is right, you just have to trust it.
How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?
Three books that are published and countless short stories, half-hearted attempts at novels, and poetry dating back thirty years.
What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?
love scenes.
What inspired the idea for your book?
My father.
What was your hardest scene to write, and why?
The Wild Hunt in Dawnbreaker. I do not feel I did justice to how i saw the scene in my head.
What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
music.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
That isn't fair.... Who can name just one? Rich Restucci.
When was the last time you Googled yourself and what did you find?
I don't. I googled my podcast and found out we were listed on IMBD.