Q. We’re so
glad to have you as a member of MCRW. Are you a native of
Nashville or somewhere else? If somewhere else, where, and how did
you end up here?
A. I was born and raised in
Salt Lake City, Utah. I miss the mountains and snow something
fierce. (Some days in July and August I wonder why I live in this
hot, humid climate!) How did I get here? Well, at the time I was in
a dead end job and bored out of my mind. I had a friend who had
moved to Nashville to do the “Country Music” thing. He invited me to
live with him until I found a job and could afford a place on my
own. So I packed up my gold fish (they died in Kansas), my video
movie collection and ten house plants (all survived) and moved to
Nashville in December – right before the big "Ice Storm" of January
‘94. I guess if I had a friend offering free accommodations in
another part of the country I would be there instead. But, in the 15
years I’ve been here, I’ve grown to love it…other than the heat, of
course! (I will honestly say the Nashville Predators keep me here!)
Q. What made
you decide to try your hand at writing romance novels (or at joining
RWA/MCRW)?
A. Over the years I have
started a million stories but never, ever finished any of them. I
was talking about writing with one of my friends and she told me to
‘just do it’. So, I sat down and 30 days later my first book was
finished. Of the 4 I’ve written (so far)…it’s the best – I think. It
was a matter of doing it and finishing that first book. I’m glad I
listened to her and I’m excited to see where it will take me.
Q. Tell us
about your "WIP" or work-in-progress? What in specific do you
write?
A. I’m currently finishing my
4th full length Contemporary Romance. (It’s not going well; I’m
hoping just to finish it so I can put it away for a while.) I have
an idea kicking around for a sci-fi/urban fantasy/paranormal
something. I’m world building at the moment. It’s definitely set in
the future after a catastrophic global warming event. Where it’s
going is anyone’s guess, somewhere spectacular…I hope.
Q: How do you
balance your writing with your other responsibilities? (Yes, as
always, I'm looking for tips...)
A. I try to write something –
anything – every day even if it is just one line. Every day. When I
have down time at work I manage do a fair bit of writing. I also
take lunch at my desk and write then as well. (It also helps to save
money to bring my lunch every day!)
Q. What do you
do when you're not writing? Do you have a "day" job, hobbies,
obsessions?
A. I’m a Systems Analyst
Consultant (Computers) for HCA, Inc. I compile and crunch massive
amounts of data all day. I have three computers in my office, so I
will get them all fired up crunching data and I’ll write while I
wait for the reports to finish. My hobbies include gardening, but
only until it gets hot…then the plants will have to fight the
weeds/bugs on their own. I like to make jewelry and read, of course.
My obsession – besides shoes – is the Nashville Predators. I love
guys in padded shorts who are graceful but can still beat the crap
out of a Redwing!
Q. Do you have
children, pets, plants, a spouse, dust bunnies, a thimble collection
or anything like that?
A. No children but I
have a very neurotic, 18 pound, high maintenance cat named Vinnetta
Williamina Smithini Martinez. (She’s named after my favorite hockey
player, soccer player and actor.) My friends said I couldn’t name
her Vinnie, so I call her Metro – after the soccer team. But she
mostly answers to Sweetie Pea! I collect books…hardbacks. One day I
would love a house with a proper library – complete with fireplace
and big squishy chairs.
Q. What are
some of your favorite books, romance and other?
A. My list is miles and
miles long but here are the highlights. JR Ward’s Black Dagger
Brotherhood series – these are not your mother’s Vampires! I love
the suspense and twists of The Winner and Hour Game by David
Baldacci. When I need a hot ‘military / spy’ fix I pick up Cherry
Adair’s T-FLAC series; she never disappoints. When I was 14 my
mother read The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien to me to share her
love of Middle Earth. I read it now to keep her memory alive. The
Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig was a pleasant surprise
and a book I know I will read multiple times. I can’t have a
favorites list that didn’t include Harry Potter – Classic! When I
need to laugh out loud I read Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum
series. Grandma Mazur and Lula are the type of characters I would
love (and hope one day) to write. My romance library includes all
the regular cast of characters – Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, Julie
Garwood, Karen Marie Moning, Linda Howard and Judith McNaught.
Q. If you could
go on a dream vacation anywhere in the world on someone else's
perfectly legitimate dime, where would you go, who would you take,
and what would you do?
A. There used to be only one
answer to this question – Venice, Italy. I realized a few years ago
if I wanted the dream of Venice to come true I would have to make it
come true. So I went to Venice (with stops in Milan and Vicenza) in
February 2007. It was everything I imagined and more. Now I would
say my dream vacation would encompass the British Isles. I want to
catch a play on London’s West End, see my favorite painting which is
hanging in the Tate Britain, and watch the changing of the Guard at
Buckingham Palace. (Oh, and I wouldn’t want to forget shopping on
Bond Street!) I want to see Brighton, Stonehenge…any and all of the
countryside. Then I want to go to Dunnottar Castle in Scotland. I
want to see the sunrise and set in the Highlands and visit a loch or
two. I’m hoping to make this dream a reality in 2010!
Q: Tell us a
secret!
A. I’m addicted to shoes. Oh
wait, that isn’t a secret.
