Blue started as a dream I had, three years before the 2011 Tsunami in Japan. I remember how blown away I was when the event I wrote about actually happened. The dream was of myself, sitting in a movie theatre among others, watching this incredible story play out. It was such a profound encounter that I remembered it all the next day. Many of the details took a long time to research. Once it was finished I struggled with whether to publish it or not. There are a number of social issues in it that many people seem to find very uncomfortable. I believe that it is partly because they don’t know how to solve them.
Originally I majored in filmmaking. I have been doing under the radar promotional and advertising work since 2001. Once I decided to publish Blue, I spent a lot of time learning how to become a published author. I never really thought my writing was any good. My teachers thought it to be dark and disturbing, as did my family. I didn’t try to pursue any real kind of art career till I was in my 20’s.
In my novel, Maddie the tormented mermaid is trying to save the world from war. When it came time to make an author website, I wanted it to be something that was meaningful to me. The author’s website is supposed to reflect the author, and their publishing after all. I wanted my site to be fun, therapeutic and welcoming to all walks of life. I also want it stand for something, to act as a tool or reference in helping society somehow. While designing my site, I decided to dedicate it to someone who truly inspired it. I once told her in honor of our fight for a better humanity, that I was going to make a blog called How to Save the World. Little did I realize it would become so much more than that.
Where are you from?
Stuart Florida. A beautiful place by the Atlantic Ocean
Why do you write?
To help people and society, find balance,truth,and to help solve some of the world’s problems. I also spontaneously make up stories and songs to entertain kids sometimes.
What do you write about?
I’m sort of gifted that I can write about just about anything if I try. But some of my favorite things to write about are, honest journalism and advocating for mental health subjects, horror stories; because they tend to make one feel grateful to be alive. I also spontaneously make up kid’s stories, poems and songs to entertain my children.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I would say that because everyone is different, that we form our own individual type of writing style.
What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?
Being a disabled single mom with no supportive family around is probably my biggest obstacle. I would also include the spinal injury I acquired that made me disabled, due to a domestic violent partnership can be a painful distraction on some days.
What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?
“How did you make your book feel so much like the reader is watching a movie?”
How long have you been writing?
Since I was 9 years old. I used to write songs and poems and short stories.
When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
The morning after I had the very vividly, detailed lucid dream I had about writing my first published book.
What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
I don’t really keep a schedule except for making the effort to write at night after my kids are in bed. But normally if i think of something at any random time of the day, I jot it down.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
My favorite place to write is outside where I can look up at the sky and see the stars, and satellites now thanks to Elon Musk and Space X. LOL
How long does it take to write a book?
Ultimately, it took me nine years from the time i wrote the first outline for Blue. I sat it aside, feeling unsure about writing it at first, partly because of some of its controversial content. Instead I focused on being a good wife and stay at home mom. I did what a lot of people do in an abusive relationship. I tried to “fix’ him and help him with his mental illnesses. I didn’t get a lot of encouragement about writing Blue until I met someone many years later. Then when I sat down to write it, it took me three months.
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
Keep writing and don’t worry about how many times you have to edit what you write. That only means that you are improving every time. Blue went through the editing process at least six or seven times.
What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?
Ideas about my characters or the story popping into my head at inconvenient times, LOL like when i am cooking.
What do you think makes a good story?
I would definitely say the characters in the story. Once you have a well rounded, detailed bio about your characters and their history, it becomes like the glue that helps bind the story in the right places.
What does your family think of your writing?
Well when I was young, I came from an abusive household and they thought something was wrong with me because I liked to write horror stories, and my poems were dark and full of teenage angst. LOL They haven’t presently given me any thought or opinion about my writing now.
Do you see writing as a career?
Technically yes, people do it as a career. But writers should always remember and accept that most authors don’t become rich and famous. LOL
Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?
I would tell them that if they liked my book and my writing, to please check out my website for more things that i write about or share that others have written about. There are also secret rooms in the symbols throughout my website, l that takes you to place that are soothing and therapeutic for when you need a break from stress and that promote healthy mental health.
For example, there is a room that takes you to a live underwater camera where you get to watch fish and sharks swim. I would also tell them, that if they are struggling with anything similar to some of the topics in my book, to stay strong and don’t give up because they are not alone. And if they keep searching, they will find help, like I did.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
The day my book was officially published.
International Book Promotion 