Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I am married and live with my husband in a small development on the South Saskatchewan River, in Saskatchewan, Canada, surrounded by ancient rolling hills. We have two grown children and three granddaughters. My husband is a retired pilot and Air Traffic Controller and has worked around the world. We have a wonderful life, flying, sailing, skiing, and adventuring together.
How do you make time to write?
I consider myself a full-time writer because I usually have three or more books in various stages of publication at all times. I write a book a month (well now I can do it in two weeks). I form the story in my head until it is ready, then sit down and write between 5,000 and 10,000 words a day. I put the completed story away for two weeks or more and then go back polish and submit. I do this about three times a year. In between, I am editing drafts or galleys on other submitted books, or editing an anthology for my writing group, or downloading one of my nonfiction books into my blog, chapter by chapter. I keep busy year round.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
No. I think that is just an acceptable name for being paralyzed by fear—that you’ll fail.
Tell us a bit about the genre you write and why you love it.
My last nine books have been romantic suspense, re-categorized to action suspense. I like this genre because it lends itself well to plot-driven books, which I prefer. I also believe in the power of love—agape, familial, narcissist, erotic, romantic— as an influencing agent in all motivation and action. I love to explore how love becomes the cause and effect for my characters.
How are you publishing your recent book and why? (*e.g. Indie, traditional or both)
Fatal Flight is published by The Wild Rose Press and marketed worldwide as both digital and print books.
Are you an Introvert or Extravert? How does this affect your work?
I am able to act extroverted for short periods with a lot of people, but at heart, I’m an introvert. I get my energy from ideas and being alone in nature.
What is your favorite motivational phrase?
I did the best I could, with what I had, at the time.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Don’t think about writing, talk about writing, or take endless writing courses. If you want to be a writer – write.
Where can readers find you on the World Wide Web?
Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share with us?
[Sky] “You consider going to Max behind my back being upfront?”
[Adam] “Max came to me. I was interested and after crunching the numbers, researching your top-notch standing on the circuit and talking with my father, thought this was a great PR opportunity for our corporation. I didn’t know you were against the idea. My experience is that as soon as someone knows what I’m worth, they want something from me.”
“And you assumed I was sticking my hand in the pot.” She stopped at the entrance to the big tent, where oceans of food were served all day. “Okay, I see where you were coming from. Pax.” She offered her hand.
She took quiet satisfaction in the fact he looked like she’d turned him on his head. Good, keep him off balance, and he couldn’t do the same to her. He took her hand, his long fingers warm and dry, just the lightest of squeezes. He’d never used his size and strength to intimidate, she realized. He was a true alpha male, for only the strongest, fastest and smartest protected the vulnerable. A weaker male took advantage of them.
“Thank you got this wonderful opportunity to share my joy in writing, and pleasure in this story with your readers.”~Madeline Smid