You’ve been writing since you first learned to read—can you share one of your earliest storytelling memories?
I remember when I finished my first novel (at 16) I spent several hours telling the story to a friend, who was so encouraging and asked all the right questions. That was never published, but I still think of the story at times. That was probably the first time I shared what I'd written - it was always just for me.
What made you decide to transition into writing full-time, and how has that experience changed your daily life?
Writing full time came when I retired from my full-time position at the university. A third Vice Chancellor had been named following the retirement of the best boss I ever had and the new guy really didn't want a chief-of-staff. The job I had then was frankly boring so my husband and I discussed it, and we decided to go for it. I had fifty years in, twenty-two at the university, so transitioning to going to my home office was a delightful commute. I still have a routine and treat it like the job it is (though a lot more enjoyable with myself as the boss!)
You blend science fiction, paranormal, and small-town romance—what draws you to combining these genres?
I've always been drawn to the paranormal (thanks Daddy!) and I think that melds well with science fiction in my mind. It stretches the mind and offers possibilities that expand the mind. I also love showing the women in the lead so much of the time in stories like these. There doesn't have to be physical strength component to being the "leader".
You mentioned wanting “a little more romance” in science fiction—what do you think romance adds to sci-fi storytelling?
The science fiction I grew up with focused on men and science – with what I write, emotion can be added which, in my opinion, adds a depth to the characters. That draws me closer to the character and therefore I'm more interested in their story.
Your stories focus on women coming into their strength—what inspires these character arcs?
Women are just as strong or stronger than men - maybe not upper body strength but that's only one aspect of strength. I hope I show them gaining confidence and accepting their roles as leaders and "alphas".
How has your own life journey influenced the themes of courage, love, and self-discovery in your books?
When my husband and I first met, we were in a meeting and one of the other men hadn't stopped talking. I reached over and tapped him and basically told him to shut up. Hubs saw that as a strong woman, he didn't know the man had dated my roommate and I knew him in a different way than anyone else in the meeting. He shut up. Hubs nurtured that strength he saw in me and it became real. I can do things now I never dreamed of before he believed in me. Love did that for me, I'd like to think it could do it for everyone.
As someone who preferred a quiet corner with a book (Rory Gilmore style!), how has being an avid reader shaped your writing voice?
I can't believe anyone could be a writer that isn't an avid reader. I listen to the voice of my favorite writers and try to emulate how they draw out their characters and make them so three-dimensional. The characters in a Stephen King novel become as real to me as anyone in the actual room I'm in. The same for Suzanne Brockman or Dianna Duvall. I always have three books going - reading one, listening to one and writing one. I learn so much that way.
Can you walk us through your writing process—from idea to finished manuscript?
The process changes according to the book, but it usually starts with the main character coming to me with a scene - might be a dream, might be a scene in a restaurant, or someone walking by in an airport concourse. Usually, it's the female character but not always. I let my mind play with the scene and see where it goes. I'm very character driven and, obviously, a pantser. Once I know where the character wants to take me I kind of take dictation...
What does your ideal writing day look like in your home office?
That's an easy one. At 8:30 I head into the office. No TV or music, just me in the office, typing away. I usually read the last couple of pages from the day before to get back into a scene. I do try to stand up and walk a little every hour because when I don't, finally standing up is hard. I try my best to avoid calls and texts and avoid social media as much as possible. It's better for me to do my research later because I can get sucked in. Every writer understands that. Then at 12:30 I shut it down formally, though I "take a nap" after lunch - where I rarely sleep, but lie down and the characters play in my mind - that seems to really focus on my plot holes and sometimes negates what I wrote that morning but it seems to work for me.
Which authors or books have had the biggest influence on your work, especially in science fiction and romance?
I mentioned Stephen King. I don't write horror but I love the way his characters speak - real conversations rather than the stilted prose of works I read in school. His characters speak with contractions like real people do, the first word of a sentence is often left off which is how people speak. Another of my favorites is Larry Niven for science fiction. His science is much harder than mine, but he makes it almost understandable to a non-scientist like me, rather than making it incomprehensible and dry.
How do you balance world-building in sci-fi or paranormal settings with developing deep emotional relationships?
I try to use the world building that I do to deepen the relationship between the two leads in my story. They have to interact with their environment - like in my time travel, Another Time. They have to adapt to what they find which is so different from what they've always known. Then have to adapt again due to the butterfly effect of what they did. The same with my dystopian, Survivors - the world building is part of what draws them together.
What challenges have you faced in your writing journey, and how did you overcome them?
Like most of the writers I know, I have periods of "writers-block". When that happens, I go back to one of my WIPs that I haven't completed (yet) and just get into another story. When the characters want to talk to me again, I'm ready and waiting. Interruptions are one of the biggest problems - especially when I'm writing dialogue. When I have to go back to recreate, I feel like it's never as good, so I do my best to isolate myself to write.
How has being part of organizations like Romance Writers of America and Heart of Carolina Romance Writers impacted your career?
I learned something every time I attended a meeting. I would find myself coming up with new ideas just being the room with these talented women and making notes to use as soon as I got home. HCRW also created satellite groups in different cities around the state. I became part of Writer-2-Writer in Greensboro over eight years ago and we still meet monthly to critique, edit, and kick around stories and ideas (during the pandemic we still met via Zoom). They have become my most trusted editors and betas.
What can readers expect next from you—any upcoming projects or new directions you’re excited about?
I'm working on a science fiction story now that will have a tie-in with my 2026 Christmas novella. It's tentatively called Foxtrot, where an isolated mountain man rescues a woman from an abusive ex.
Thank you for having trust in AllAuthor and making us a part of your incredible journey. What have been your favorite things about AllAuthor in all these years?
AllAuthor has been a great help to me - possibly the best is the incredible Magic Tool, which I use on nearly a daily basis. That has been invaluable to me. Linking me with other authors in my genres is another great asset. I’ll be sticking around to see what you guys do next!
