Q. What inspired you to start writing?

A. My first attempt at writing was when I was around 8-years-old. My family watched the old reruns of Jack Webb’s TV show, Dragnet. Those episodes inspired me to write a short crime “episode” for my younger sister. The thrill of seeing my sister enjoying my story spurred me to create a short series titled “Crime Doesn’t Pay.” 

Even at that young age, I was an avid reader. But as I got older, I started seeing the need for clean books for teens and adults alike. This was before Amazon became the behemoth it is today. So I felt very limited in my reading choices. I was expressing my frustration with the lack of clean books with my sister-in-law when she suggested that I write a book. I laughed because I didn’t consider myself a writer even though I had written many poems around that time. I didn’t enjoy school writing assignments. So why would I enjoy writing a book? 

Well, the joke was on me! Unbeknownst to her, I was talking with a friend from church who enjoyed filming short movies. After one particular conversation, my dormant creative juices slowly began to awaken and an idea for a story began to form. At the age of 15, I picked up my pen again. Actually, this time it was my fingers dancing across the keyboard. Three months later, I finished writing my first children’s book which I later published. 

A few years later, another friend suggested that I try my hand writing Christian suspense since I enjoyed that genre so much. Dee Henderson was my favorite author at the time. I didn’t think I’d do well, but after thinking about it, a story idea came to me. In three months, I had written what is now Intercepted the first book in my Agents of Justice series! My favorite in the series so far is the second book in the series, Premeditated. I wrote each book so they can be read as a standalone, but they’re most enjoyable if read in order. 

Over the last few years, I’ve had to step away from writing because life happens, but more books and short stories are always in the works.

Q. Can you tell us about your writing process? Do you have any specific rituals or routines?

A. My writing process has morphed over the years. I was a pantser writer in the beginning. I didn’t have anything planned, I just sat at my computer and typed away. 

Now, I’m more of a planner. Before I even create a document for my book, I mind map. I write down every possible scenario or idea that comes to mind. Nothing gets tossed out. Generally, I’ll have a basic idea of where I want the story to go. So after I put down all my ideas, I pick and choose the best ones that will fit my story, which then gives me my outline. Then I’m ready start writing. 

If I get stuck or a scene is being particularly difficult, then I will mind map all the possible ways the scene can go. That generally gets me unstuck rather quickly, and I can continue on writing the story.

Q. What was the most challenging part of writing your latest book? 

A. The most challenging part of the book that is currently being edited is a character who is deaf. I spent hours on top of hours researching to diagnose exactly what his hearing loss was, as well as the exams and tests that he had to do to get his diagnosis and treatment. It was a lot of work, but fun!

Q. What themes or messages do you hope readers take away from your work?

A. Because I write suspense, there are a lot of hard situations that my characters live through. In the first book of my Agents of Justice series, the heroine is kidnapped, in book two the heroine is unknowingly given a drug that she is immediately addicted to, and the hero in book three goes deaf caused by an explosion that happens in book two. One of the biggest themes that I keep coming back to in my stories is that bad things happen to good people because we live in a fallen world.

Q. What advice would you give to other aspiring authors?

A. Write. Inspiration is a fickle thing, so don’t wait for it to come around. If you write regularly, it gets easier, and I have found I get a higher word count per writing session.

The second thing I would suggest is to pray before every writing session. Inviting the Lord into your writing space can make such a difference.

When I get stuck while planning or writing, I’ll ask the Lord to help guide me and make the story how he wants it to be written. He usually helps me through whatever writing challenge I’m facing rather quickly. Then there are times where it takes a little longer. It’s faith growing and amazing to see Him answer my prayer within a matter of moments!

 Q. Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or books you’re working on?

A. I would love to! As I mentioned above, I am in the editing phase of the third book, Targeted in my Agents of Justice series. I’m also working on mind mapping book four in the series.

For the last year and a half, I have been working quietly in the background compiling notes and mind maps from my published books and short stories, creating special graphics, and more, then uploading them to my website. There’s so much exclusive content; my website grew from 6 to nearly 200 pages! And that’s not counting the exclusive stories that are in the library. 

Last month, I finally got my website finished and launched the monthly membership subscription to get early access to Targeted. This means that my readers don’t have to wait until late next year to read it! 

Plus, subscribers get chances to win free books, have access to exclusive short stories, special graphics that have never been seen, access to my exclusive community, and so much more! I’m constantly adding more content, so it’s only going to get better!

Q. One last question for fun: Coffee, tea, soda, or water—what will readers find in your mug/glass?

Coffee or vanilla chai tea are my hot beverages of choice, and I always have my water bottle with me. It feels especially cozy writing when I have a hot beverage sitting on my desk.

‘Premeditated was gripping from the start! I only put it down once and that was difficult!‘ – Premeditated Amazon Review

Faithfulgirl