What is your writing process like?
I get up at 6 a.m., get my coffee and turn on my computer. I'll quickly check emails before setting my writing goals for the day. Then I take a break and meet my Zoom writing group for a short chat before writing non-stop for two hours. Then I grab breakfast, shower, change, and do other online work. Usually in the afternoon, I'll write for another two hours. I'm usually tired by 4 p.m. In the evening, I read and do research.
How do you come up with ideas for stories and characters?
My characters are compilations of people I know or have known ... and a little bit of me. The stories are threads from both my life and the lives of others plus a lot of imagination.
What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
For me, writer's block is not being able to compose or edit. There's no point forcing myself to create when I'm blocked. It's best to go for a walk or watch a movie. Some days, I need to escape for the day. My solution is popcorn and movies. As a rule, I'm back in writing mode the next day.
How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?
The really bad ones make me cry. Then, I critically evaluate them. Often, the book wasn't the right fit for the reader. But I know I need to work harder to become a better writer. Each review helps me do that.
What is the most challenging part of your writing process?
Editing. I can write a rough draft in a matter of a few months. But then, I need to perfect it. And that takes many, many months.
How long have you been writing, or when did you start?
I've always written. But I was afraid of publishing, so my stories gathered dust for decades. Some disappeared because of changes to technology. I became serious about being a published author in 2016. My first non-fiction book took two years to complete. I published in 2018. My first fiction novel took three years. I published in 2021. I collaborated on a few other books before finishing my second novel in 2023.
What advice would you give writers working on their first book?
Write every day. Keep your story uppermost in your mind. Don't let anything get in the way of writing. Don't worry about editing or research. Just get the story down. You can research later during the re-write and editing phase. Be prepared for the grueling work of editing and preparing to publish.
How do you develop your plot and characters?
I make a rough outline composed of a four-stage story arc. I develop scenes within that outline. Sometimes the story changes as I write. Characters have a way of morphing during the storytelling.
I like Scrivener for designing characters. It helps me keep track of their physical characteristics and personality.
What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?
My fiction series has a parallel story. It's easy to write the main story that takes place in 1918, Ukraine. I have a harder time writing the son's story that takes place in Germany in 1952.
What inspired the idea for your book?
My inspiration happened when I visited Ukraine in 2014 just after Russia annexed Crimea. It's where my grandparents were born and where my great-grandparents are buried. Much of the area I visited then is now either under Russian occupation or near the war front. It's surreal knowing that I was there only a few years ago and now it's a war zone. When I was there, I realized I needed to tell the women's story —what they went through during those awful years. But I wanted to write it in a context for a younger generation — so they would be interested in the history. So I created a historical mystery. The main story takes place in southern Ukraine where my grandparents lived and the parallel story is in Germany — where many refugees fled to after the war.
What was your hardest scene to write, and why?
Book two also has a difficult scene where the rebels invade the farmhouse and hold the women captive. Some of the women are sexually assaulted, but I don't go into detail. I chose to be sensitive because this is a Christian book. But sadly, the scene was based on real events, so it was important to tell. Even though the story shows how faith helps us get through traumatic events, readers may be uncomfortable. I won't be as cautious with book three. Because the story gets darker over the next two books.
What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
My special prescription computer glasses, a comfortable keyboard, a good backrest, a flexible footrest, and great lighting. And a bottle of water.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
Miriam Toews. She wrote the book behind the Academy Award-winning movie "Women Talking." Her life story sounds similar to mine and her writing is amazing. I'd love to sit down with her and compare notes.
When was the last time you Googled yourself and what did you find?
Just now. All my books and social media are there. Good grief ... I'm famous.