WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER AND WHY?
I loved writing since I was 8 years old and always wrote and took creative writing classes, but didn’t pursue it professionally until later in life. I write as an outlet for creativity; I love words and coming up with that perfect word or phrase. And as a writer of children’s books, I want to share my love of reading I’ve had my entire life.
AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU ASPIRE TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
I had many aspirations at different times in my childhood, including teaching and nursing, which at that time were typical career choices for girls. I’m happy that since I was young so many choices have opened up for girls and women. I also aspired to be an artist and started out in college as an art major. I still dabble in drawing and painting as a hobby.
HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLES?
For Yakimali’s Gift, I wanted to tell the story of this little-known part of U.S. history—the first Mexican settlers to come to California. And I wanted to tell it from the perspective of the women and children who made up more than half of the colonists who journeyed from Mexico to California led by Juan Bautista de Anza.
For The Castle Blues Quake, my initial inspiration came from experiencing earthquakes in California, particularly in Santa Cruz where I live and where the story takes place. I’ve also always loved ghost stories, so I enjoyed researching and writing that aspect of the book.
WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?
The Ghost Whisperer Series Book 2 was published in October 2015. The title is The Ghosts of Pebble Brook Lodge, and continues the adventures of Pepper Connelly, now 13. In this story, she’s moved temporarily to the rainy forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains. She has only two weeks to prove her friend Willy’s innocence, and the key lies with four ghosts who have their own haunting agenda.
TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER:
My mother was a school librarian and gave me my love of reading and, consequently, writing. My first book, Yakimali’s Gift, was dedicated to her. I was so grateful she held that in her hands before she passed away several months later. She always believed in me and “just knew” that someday my dream of being published would come true!
WHICH AUTHOR HAS MOST GREATLY INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING STYLE?
It’s always difficult to choose just one author. As far as authors of children’s books, I enjoy books by Markus Zusak, Donna Napoli, and Margaret Downing Hahn. I loved reading Edgar Allan Poe when I was young.
WHAT BOOK HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?
Again, it’s difficult to choose one book. But ones that really made an impact on me when I was young are A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?
Though I love my Ghost Whisperer books, I’d have to say the writing and publication of Yakimali’s Gift. One, because of the extensive research I did to get the facts and atmosphere of the time period correct (everything from people, clothing, utensils to the terrain, plants, and wildlife). Two, because I’m happy to have made the story of the expedition known to more people, young and old.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF BECOMING PUBLISHED AND ANY TIPS YOU MIGHT OFFER FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS?
It can be a long process; it certainly was for me: writing, rewriting, submitting, facing rejection, and more rewriting. I think it’s vitally important to be part of a critique group. It took me a while to put myself out there, let others read and critique my work, but it was the best thing I did to improve my writing. My other advice, though it may sound like a cliché, is to never give up. If you love writing, if you believe in what you write, if you’re passionate, you will be published!
CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?
There are so many promotion opportunities these days. One is to submit your book for review and for award consideration. Another is to join Facebook groups that are specific to your genre/style. That’s a good way to network and learn about other promotion avenues. Pursue getting your book in local bookstores and libraries as well as nationally. There are also book marketing classes and newsletters that can be helpful.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?
Readers, you are the reason I spin my stories. I appreciate readers so much. Just that you are reading books, no matter the genre, is wonderful. Books can open so many doors to you, new worlds, new ways of thinking, and simply entertain. And you all get that. Happy, happy reading!
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?
I’m working on a few different projects: the third Ghost Whisperer and two historical non-fiction books.
In the third Ghost Whisperer (as yet untitled), Pepper will be back in Santa Cruz. Her friend Chrissy from New York will come to visit. Pepper, Chrissy, and Ally will experience some ghostly adventures when Pepper time travels to the late 1800s of Santa Cruz. And there might be a touch of romance in store for Pepper! I hope to see it published later in 2016.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
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