Frequently Asked Questions
01
Where do you get your book ideas?
Book ideas come from anywhere and nowhere. They just pop up. It can be when watching a leaf float to the ground, or watching a dog sniff something, or hearing a story in the news. Usually it starts when I start asking “What if…” What if a girl could make fortunes come true? (Drama Mama and the Fortune cookie club) What do these children think if we built a house for their neighbor and not for them? (Hope Lives Here) What if people sent to help were actually the ones that caused an outbreak? (When the River Cried Out)
02
How much of your writing is fiction and how much is fact?
It’s all fiction, except when it’s not. 😊 I like to base my action adventure Christian fiction on true events but add a lot of fiction with the characters. All my children’s books are fiction (except maybe making fortunes come true… we can make fortunes come true, right? Just ask Drama Mama!)
03
Did you like school?
I loved school. I had some great teachers who taught me to be curious and to question things. I love to be curious…how do fish gills work? Can chickens see color? What are dogs really thinking? Do you think that monk would like to thumb wrestle me?
04
Did you always want to be an author?
Yes. I’ve always dreamed of someday writing and illustrating my own children’s book. In college, I had classes in creative writing and illustration and thought my first job working for the government was going to be my break through to becoming an aspiring author – until I realized the position was for a technical writer for repair manuals. A whole manual full of part numbers and illustrated parts break-downs. The manuals described how to take apart generators, transmissions, water purifiers, etc. There was zero creativity in that. But because life is an adventure, that job really was a steppingstone to where I am now. I sell helicopters to other countries. Cool job. And I write books. Also a cool job.
05
Do you have any writing tips for an aspiring author?
Read, read, read. The more you read, the more you learn. It’s kind of fun to add weird facts into your writing. Like did you know most geckos don’t have eyelids so they have to lick their eyes to clean them? Know what you are writing (the genre) and who you are writing for (your audience). People like certain books and they will have an expectation of the kind of book they pick up. If a book is confused (does not fit in a genre), it might be harder to find the right audience. Afterall, as a writer, we want you to find our books and enjoy them! Always ask “what if” because when you do, there is no telling where your mind will take you and what stories you will discover.
06
Do you have any pets?
We have a dog, a little cheuaau chawowua chew wow wa. Anyway…she loves to go on hikes with me. When I get the leash out for a walk, she likes to yodel.
