Where do you get the ideas for your books?
My novels start with a glimpse of a scene or a snippet of conversation. I don’t know anything about the plot other than that one clue. It goes from there.
Do you outline or plot your books?
No. I’ve tried, but my brain refuses to tell me what is going to happen next.
How long does it take you to write a book?
It usually takes about a year. I like to give a rough manuscript to an editor when it’s at about 50,000 words, and then, if I’m on the right track, I begin to layer it and add more depth.
What was your childhood like?
I grew up in a small town outside of Gettysburg, Pa. I was the girl with the horses and the goats, and the chickens and ducks. I loved to read at an early age, and also spent a good deal of time outdoors.
Did you always know you would become a writer?
No. I wanted to work with animals and got a degree in Veterinary Technology. After getting my dream job at a state-of-the-art horse hospital, I discovered that nursing sick animals is kind of a depressing job. I went back to college and received a bachelor’s degree in public relations/journalism, and a master’s in communications while working as a newspaper editor. My fiction writing developed over time.