Q. What inspires your writing?
A. Living in the mountains. I know you’ve probably heard this before, but it’s the truth. If I had stayed in the city, I’m sure I never would have written a book, let alone more than one. Life is refreshing here. The air smells so good when the wind blows down the mountain and stirs up all the scents around me. There’s always something in the air—the smell of wild roses, pine trees, mountain laurel, jasmine, and my favorite—honeysuckle in spring. So, when I’m bored or need inspiration, I get in my car, put the top down, and cruise. That’s for the warm months. In the winter, all I have to do is look out my window at the snow. That always works for me. Another inspiration: people who smile.
Q. What is your favorite thing about being an author?
A. The satisfaction I get from knowing I can actually write something someone might want to read. So many people aspire to this, but very few ever realize their dream. Creating a story isn’t just putting words together. It’s hard work and takes up all of your time. Most people don’t have the time even if they have the imagination to do it. When I retired and moved to the mountains, my imagination found me. Was that luck? I think so.
Q. What is the toughest part of being an author?
A. Trying to live up to the expectations of my readers.
Q. If you could not be author, what would you do/be?
A. I’d be me. That’s who I’ve been for sixty-two years, and I’ve been happy with my life the majority of the time (there’s always those times when drama stops by for a visit). I’m retired. I’ve had a career, spent my time in the work force, and have no desire to go back. If I decided to stop writing, I’d just be retired, living in the best place in the world.
Q. What would the story of your life be entitled?
A. The Unplanned Benefit of Murder
Q. What is your favorite book of all time?
A. That’s so hard to say. I’ve read many good books, but I really became an avid reader after I read All That Remains by Patricia Cornwell. I was enthralled with the storyline about a young couple who went missing at the New Kent rest area on I-64. This (fiction) book was based on a true story, and the area where it took place was close to my home town. Familiarity grabbed me, and curiosity held onto me. Now, I have too many favorite books to only choose one, but I will give Cornwell the credit for pulling me into the world of books.
Q. Which character from ANY book are you most like?
A. I think authors create characters from bits and pieces of others, and I have yet to find one who is like me.
Q. What character from all of your book are you most like?
A. My main character, Jesse Watson, of course. Don’t we all put a piece of ourselves in our protagonist? I know I did. However, Jesse does things I would never do. I’m smiling.
Q. What is your favorite season?
A. Winter—without a doubt. I used to be a sun worshiper, but that all changed with age and hot flashes.
Q. What inspired your book cover(s)? Or what is your favorite book cover and why?
A. I don’t know what sparks my ideas for my book jackets, but sometime during the writing process, up pops the image in my head. I can see it plain as day, and that’s what I go with. My favorite jacket cover is the one on book #5, Greene County Killer. It was the first time I had the courage to put a full-length photo of myself on the back.
Q. Tell me something funny that happened while on a book tour or while promoting your book.
A. During an interview—I was at a restaurant talking with my reporter/journalist friend and I told her I had killed off someone, but was now having my doubts about what I had done. I can get a little loud when I get excited, so it didn’t take long for others close by to take notice. They started staring at me as if I were indeed a killer. Alex and I laughed all the way to the car.
Q. Are you working on something new?
A. Yes. The Prey Bites Back, book eight in the series. It’s a little slow going because life seems to get in the way.
Q. Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by?
A. You can only be a success in your heart when you’re doing something you love. Keep on writing, reading, or singing in the shower—whatever makes you happy!
*Be sure to stop by Emily's blog to read interviews of different authors and reviews of the books she has read. It'll be a fun visit! www.mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com
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