Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?
ROCK MY WORLD is a story about love, friendship and betrayal in the music industry. It’s the story of Jenna—the daughter of a rock legend, wife of a rock star, mother to a teenage daughter—emerging from a lifetime of defining herself through her relationships to others rather than on her own terms.
Where did the inspiration come from?
I’d had the idea of Jenna and Alex many years ago, but I could never get the story to play out. Finally, a year after having my son, from somewhere in my sleep-deprived haze, came an epiphany and I knew their story.
Which comes first, the characters or the plot?
In the case of ROCK MY WORLD, the characters. But it seems to happen differently for each story idea I get.
Are you able to give us a hint as to what your next novel is about?
My next novel is also set in the music industry, but it is going to be a lot more about relationships and what draws and keeps people together. I’m hoping it will be ready by the fall.
Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
No, but I always loved writing.
Have you ever had writer’s block?
Sort of. I’m not sure if it’s the same as anyone else’s, but I’ve learned that when I feel stuck it’s usually a sign that something—plot, storyline, or character—isn’t working. I give it a little time, reassess and try to look through to find the problem.
If you weren’t a writer, what career path would you have chosen to follow?
I probably would have put a lot more into my photography/videography career. I love doing both, but found that my favorite part of the creative process was in telling the story, whether in writing or through imaging, I’m addicted to story.
Being a writer appears to be such a solitary lifestyle, especially when you’re in the midst of writing, so do you consider the influence of social Media, Facebook and Twitter, a blessing or a hinderance?
I think it depends on the person. I’m pretty social with my other jobs (photographer/music manager) so I was accustomed to using social media to connect with fans already. I think it’s something everyone has to assess, both personally and in relation to their readers, to determine whether or not it makes sense for them.
How long did it take you to get your first book published?
Not long. But that’s because I had the opportunity to do a six month 55 city tour with my musician husband and our son, and I realized no publisher in the world was going to offer me that kind of opportunity, so I selfpublished and immediately left on tour.
Do you have a set daily writing routine?
I like to go to the library for a couple hours every day. It helps me get out of my head and daily chores, and just move forward in the story. Also, I find that going for long walks helps to clear my mind and lets me sort through any character or plot issues I’m having.
Would you say that any of your characters are like you? If so, which one(s)?
That’s a tough question. All the characters are me to the extent that if I had their background and circumstances, I ask myself what I would do in their shoes. But no, there isn’t a close-to-reality basis for any of my characters.
If you could write another style of genre, what would it be and why?
Historical Action Adventure, because I love a good adventure story that weaves history and espionage together in an engaging page turner, but the sheer amount of research and various expertise required to pull it off makes my head spin.
If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be?
Write. It’s trite and cliché, but it’s honestly the only way. No excuses, just write.
If you could invite any three authors, alive or dead, to a dinner party who would you choose and why?
Jane Austen, JK Rowling and Janet Evanovich because they have all created strong, wonderful female characters set in worlds that draw me in and make me want to live there.
Do you prefer to read physical copies of books or e-books?
Lately, I primarily read on my iPhone. In part, that’s because I always have it with me so I can pick up a book whenever I want, and also my son has a thing about stealing bookmarks, so if I leave a book out, my place is inevitably lost.
Are there any books you’ve read that you wish you’d written?
Not exactly. There are tons of books I think are amazing, and usually after I finish reading one, I sit in awe and think about how cool the author must feel having written that book. Or I end up feeling a kinship to the author and think we’d get along if we met in real life, however misguided that assumption may be.
When you’ve finished writing a book, do you treat yourself to a reward?
It’s only happened once so far, but yes, after I finished, my husband took me on a dinner/dancing date, which is something we both love to do but hardly ever get the chance to.
Where would be your idyllic location for a writing retreat?
It would probably depend on what I was writing, but either a city—New York or Paris—or a beach town. Somewhere I can wander to my heart’s content and then find a cozy coffee shop, hotel room or library to write in.
If you were going to be stuck on a desert island and could only take 3 books with you, which ones would you choose?
What kind of a sadist are you? Sheesh! If I had to choose…Pride & Prejudice, The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier & Clay and a Worst Case Scenario Handbook, because really, I’d have to get off that island.
I think we'd get along in real life, however misguided that assumption may be.
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