Tiptoeing in...

1) When did you start writing? Or if you've been writing all your life, then when and how did you decide to pursue publication?
I've always loved reading romance, but never considered that I could write it until after my last child was born. I mentioned what a dream it would be to my husband and he immediately told me to get to work. I read a few books on writing, cruised websites and 'how-to's' like Alica Rasley's - thats when I learned about RWA. I joined RWA and started my first story in March of 2002.

2) What books/authors have influenced you?
I've been a longtime fan of Nora Roberts, Vicki Lewis Thompson and Jennifer Crusie. I love everything they've all written. Some of my favorite authors write for Harlequin Blaze (too many to list) and I've learned alot reading their work -especially in being true to voice and how different voices can really make a line come alive.

3) Describe your writing process.
Stare at screen, pound head on desk, repeat. ;-) Kidding... I am a plotter. I usually work with a plotting group to take a premise I've come up with and turn it into a solid story idea that has enough conflict to carry it. Then I brainstrorm with my CP, bounce around ideas and sketch out a rough map of how to get my characters from Inciting Incident to Dark Moment. The details are light, but the general direction is solidly plotted before I start writing. Because of the pre-writing, I tend to write final draft - so when I get to THE END, I'm finished except for editing in critiques.

4) Tell us about your current Work In Progress and what is next for you?
I just turned in my second contracted Harlequin Blaze, DOES SHE DARE?, and am starting my third. Its tentatively titled RISQUE BUSINESS and will be a part of a makeover series. Its a fun story about a brainy literary reviewer with confidence in everything but her looks (and hence, her appeal to men) who goes through a makeover in more ways than one - the hero is an erotic suspsense author who challenges her to prove her pet theory, or admit that good sex has nothing to do with emotions... its all about being turned on.

5) Any advice for others or personal observations?
NEVER EVER EVER give up!!!! Thats the best advice I ever received and the best I can give. Other than that, I'd have to say be true to your voice and don't ever sell yourself short ;-)