I was recently interviewed by my local chapter, Valley of the Sun.

What type of writing do you do? 

I write in two different genres.  Romantic comedy, and romantic suspense.  I just finished my fourth novel entitled, Shut Up and Kiss Me, and am sending the full out to two publishers who have requested to see it.  Tomorrow, I’m back to revising a romantic suspense

Have you had success?

Yes.  I’m one of those authors you love to hate because I was fortunate enough to sell my very first manuscript, Cupid’s Web, to the very first publisher I’d submitted it to.  The day I received my first copy of CW, I actually brought the book to bed with me and placed it next to my pillow so when I woke up in the morning, I’d know it was real.  I was a published author! J

How do you juggle your time for family, work, and writing?

That said, I actually put in about four good hours per day of actual writing.  I learned early on, in order to achieve I needed to make that commitment.  In between, I’m researching, or revising. 

Unless I’m trying to meet a deadline, I’m partying on the weekends with family and friends.  And, because I’m diligent about my work schedule during the week, I don’t have a problem giving myself leeway if there’s something I want to do during the week.

Do you set goals for yourself?

Absolutely.  I’m a list making, goal oriented person who would go crazy if I didn’t set a timeline for completion.  Do I always meet the deadline for achieving that goal?  Most of the time, but if not on that date, it’s a few days afterward.

If you were to describe yourself to a stranger what would you say?

If I’ve just met you, I would say I’m a fun-loving extrovert who has a black belt in shopping.   However, after getting to know you better, I’m likely to tell you that I’m a perfectionist and very hard on myself.  I cringe with embarrassment if I make a mistake.  I am a fun-loving, positive person, and in those rare times when I’m really down, I’ll visit a card store and read the funny cards.  I’ve been known to start a chain reaction of laughter from customers standing close by.  It’s pretty hard not to laugh when someone is cracking up right next to you even though they don’t know what you’re laughing at.

Would you be willing to share a favorite childhood or adult memory with us?

After my book was published, I’d had several book signings within the community where I lived.  During a building Christmas party, one of the older residents who was in his seventies walked over and told me he’d just finished reading Cupid’s Web.  Surprised he was reading romance at his age I asked him how he liked it.  He put his finger to his mouth to shush me, looked over his shoulder to see where his wife was sitting, then leaned in and whispered it was very much like his own life.  He too had fallen in love with his subordinate.  It was obvious, his wife wasn’t that subordinate. J

What inspires you to write and do you follow a set schedule or outline or just write when you can?

I’m extremely self-motivated.  Once I have an idea, I don’t need a pep talk, I can run with it.  I’m totally committed to four hours per day, but have been known to write longer.

When I first began writing, I was a Panster.  Cupid’s Web is an embellished story of my life.  Because the storyline was so familiar, it was easy to sit and write with very little difficulty.  Convinced this was my style, I wrote three more contemporaries using the same approach, and while I produced a decent storyline, they all needed revising.  Needless to say, I began to question my strategy. 

It wasn’t until I wrote my first romantic suspense that I realized the value of a more structured approach.  I mean, really, when you sit in front of your computer and ask yourself, “what should I put it this next chapter?” it’s time to develop a plan of action.   That’s when I discovered “First Draft in 30 Days,” which focuses on taking several steps before you actually write the story.  While I don’t use all the steps suggested, I do write as detailed an outline as I can, frequently going back to add as I write the story.

Once I have character sketches through interviewing to learn about their deep dark secrets, each one takes the Myers-Briggs Personality Test.   I’m also a strong advocate of sun signs, and use Linda Goodman’s Sun Signs, and her first book, Linda Goodman’s Love Signs, which lists how each sign interacts with one another at work and in a love relationship.  Once those are completed, I leaf through magazines for pictures, and paste them on a board.  I find looking at the character while I write their scene helps me—it’s like having a private conversation with them.

What one writing tip would you say has been the most help to you?

I’d have to say to ‘show’ versus ‘tell’.  It would seem an easy habit to develop, but it’s something I constantly have to remind myself to do.  A critique partner once told me, I can’t feel what your character is feeling if you don’t show me.  I want to take the ride with her, not be on the outside looking in.

There’s a time and place for ‘showing’ versus ‘telling’.  One thing to keep in mind is ‘you tell your readers about the scenery, but you show them how they can walk down that same path with the five senses: smell, taste, hear, see, touch, and they’re feeling the same thing, smelling those beautiful flowers, or the body odor of the ‘runner’ whose just passed by you.