WHY DID YOU BECOME AN AUTHOR?
It was the number one item on my bucket list. I wanted to become a writer simply because I've always had stories to tell. I love observing people and watching how they live life. I especially love the privilege of walking with people as the journey through the trials and tragedies that shapes them.
WHEN DID YOU START WRITING?
I started writing in January 2014 after a break from nearly seven years of nursing study. My husband suggested I take a year off to regroup and a month later I was champing at the bit. I'd always wanted to write and with my husband's support, I decided to pursue my dream. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made.
WHY ROMANCE?
I love happy endings.
WHAT’S THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING A NOVEL?
The most difficult aspect of writing is finding time. Like most people, there are so many demands on my time, so I am very protective of the days I set aside to write. I currently work part time between three jobs - working in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit of one hospital and also working as a General Practice nurse in a busy city clinic.
Writing takes discipline and some days I have to say "no" to all the things I'd like to be doing (like sitting down and reading) and just get my backside in the chair and write. I find after a day or two of sitting at my desk, the stories flow and I don't want to move! Luckily I enjoy it and it's never a chore. If it ever becomes too difficult, I'll stop!
DO YOU WORK ON MORE THAN ONE BOOK AT A TIME?
I usual work on various stages of different books at the same time. For example when an edited manuscript arrives in my inbox, I need to stop my current project and work on that.
WHY DID YOU WRITE CHRISTMAS-THEMED NOVELLAS?
I love Christmas-the songs, the food, the family gatherings, the decorations, the hope and goodwill we all want to share in during this special time. So many of us get caught up in the stress of the “doing,” so I wanted to give my readers a small breather- a short stress reliever and a reminder of what’s really important at this most wonderful time of year.
HOW DO YOU GET THE IDEAS AND CHARACTERS FOR YOUR BOOKS?
I love to tell stories. I feel this is the gift I’ve been given and I feel blessed that the ideas of my novels come very naturally to me. Story ideas are all around us; life itself presents us with plenty of ideas every single day. It’s a matter of being open to them—and then fashioning them into a story with believable and compelling characters. And I think most writers find that the people around them provide the basis for the fictional characters they create; I certainly do. It can be a matter of taking a trait from one person, a physical characteristic from another, a way of speaking from a third and then combining them. Ultimately, believable characters come from the writer’s observations about the people and situations around him or her.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS?
I love reading the types of books I write - romance - so I especially enjoy Australian rural romance and medical romance. Some of my favourite authors can be found at www.australianruralromance.com.au
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO RELAX (OTHER THAN WRITING)?
This shouldn’t surprise you: reading! I also enjoy physical activity and try to work out three or more times a week and take my two Border Collies for longs walks. I also love singing and public speaking.
WHAT’S THE IMPORTANCE OF A HAPPY ENDING IN YOUR NOVELS?
When I read, I make an emotional investment in a book and I want to come away with a feeling of satisfaction and hope. I believe my readers feel the same way; we all want reassurance that the couple are genuinely and deeply in love and committed to the relationship; that things will work out; that there is something to be hopeful for.
It was the number one item on my bucket list. I wanted to become a writer simply because I've always had stories to tell. I love observing people and watching how they live life. I especially love the privilege of walking with people as the journey through the trials and tragedies that shapes them.
WHEN DID YOU START WRITING?
I started writing in January 2014 after a break from nearly seven years of nursing study. My husband suggested I take a year off to regroup and a month later I was champing at the bit. I'd always wanted to write and with my husband's support, I decided to pursue my dream. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made.
WHY ROMANCE?
I love happy endings.
WHAT’S THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING A NOVEL?
The most difficult aspect of writing is finding time. Like most people, there are so many demands on my time, so I am very protective of the days I set aside to write. I currently work part time between three jobs - working in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit of one hospital and also working as a General Practice nurse in a busy city clinic.
Writing takes discipline and some days I have to say "no" to all the things I'd like to be doing (like sitting down and reading) and just get my backside in the chair and write. I find after a day or two of sitting at my desk, the stories flow and I don't want to move! Luckily I enjoy it and it's never a chore. If it ever becomes too difficult, I'll stop!
DO YOU WORK ON MORE THAN ONE BOOK AT A TIME?
I usual work on various stages of different books at the same time. For example when an edited manuscript arrives in my inbox, I need to stop my current project and work on that.
WHY DID YOU WRITE CHRISTMAS-THEMED NOVELLAS?
I love Christmas-the songs, the food, the family gatherings, the decorations, the hope and goodwill we all want to share in during this special time. So many of us get caught up in the stress of the “doing,” so I wanted to give my readers a small breather- a short stress reliever and a reminder of what’s really important at this most wonderful time of year.
HOW DO YOU GET THE IDEAS AND CHARACTERS FOR YOUR BOOKS?
I love to tell stories. I feel this is the gift I’ve been given and I feel blessed that the ideas of my novels come very naturally to me. Story ideas are all around us; life itself presents us with plenty of ideas every single day. It’s a matter of being open to them—and then fashioning them into a story with believable and compelling characters. And I think most writers find that the people around them provide the basis for the fictional characters they create; I certainly do. It can be a matter of taking a trait from one person, a physical characteristic from another, a way of speaking from a third and then combining them. Ultimately, believable characters come from the writer’s observations about the people and situations around him or her.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS?
I love reading the types of books I write - romance - so I especially enjoy Australian rural romance and medical romance. Some of my favourite authors can be found at www.australianruralromance.com.au
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO RELAX (OTHER THAN WRITING)?
This shouldn’t surprise you: reading! I also enjoy physical activity and try to work out three or more times a week and take my two Border Collies for longs walks. I also love singing and public speaking.
WHAT’S THE IMPORTANCE OF A HAPPY ENDING IN YOUR NOVELS?
When I read, I make an emotional investment in a book and I want to come away with a feeling of satisfaction and hope. I believe my readers feel the same way; we all want reassurance that the couple are genuinely and deeply in love and committed to the relationship; that things will work out; that there is something to be hopeful for.
