Frequently Asked Questions

Get inside the mind of the author.

Where do you get your ideas?

They usually just come to me out of the blue—sitting in traffic, lying in bed. My mind is always in the “on” position, which can be both a blessing and a curse! I also find people-watching often triggers ideas.

Do you have any unique and quirky writing habits?

When I write, I must be alone. I need to get into the zone and fully immerse myself, with no outside distractions.

Do you write with an outline, or just let it flow organically?

I’m what you’d call a “pantser”—meaning I write by the seat of my pants. I used to start with an outline but found myself straying so much from it that I’d toss it aside and let the characters “tell me” what’s going to happen next.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

Both! Of course, I want my work to be read by the mainstream; however, I think today’s reader is savvier and choosier than ever, so the bar has been raised on delivering something unique and original. I think I have achieved that with InOur Blood and This Guy Walks Into a Bar.

How do you choose names for your characters?

Sometimes they just come to me; other times I let the character’s personality develop, then choose a name based on that.

Are there any particular authors or books that influenced you growing up?

Throughout my school years, I read all the classics—Shakespeare, Hemingway, Steinbeck—but my guilty pleasures were crime novels by the likes of Raymond Chandler, and I devoured Stephen King novels. These days, I’m still a fan of mysteries, thrillers and crime fiction. Favorites include Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Ken Follett, Lee Child, Patricia Cornwell, and David Baldacci.

Which famous writer, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

I would love to sit down over a beer with Dennis Lehane, my favorite author, and talk writing. His words just come to life and leave me with a sense of awe. I’d love to pick his brain on how he comes up with his ideas and works through the process.

What is your favorite thriller novel and why?

It’s a toss-up between Mystic River by Dennis Lehane and Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow. Mystic River for its absorbing plot and character development and Presumed Innocent for its ingenious plot twist, which literally left my mouth agape.

If you could tell your younger writer-self anything, what would it be?

Stop thinking about it and just do it! I procrastinated for years before finally tackling my novel. While I’m happy with the end result, I wish it had been five years earlier.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

Yes, I read them all. I love hearing when a reader becomes completely absorbed in the characters and their story. My books also have some neat twists, and I get excited when readers state that they “didn’t see it coming” even though there were subtle clues that they missed. Luckily, I have not had any too-scathing reviews yet, though I’m prepared when I do. I have a pretty tough skin when it comes to criticism, and I realize that we all have our own individual tastes and preferences. I’ll read and value them just as I would a 5-star review.

What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

Paying someone to get reviews is wrong. With so many self-published authors these days, there are services out there that offer reviews for money. I’ve earned each and every one of the reviews I’ve received and am grateful for those who take the time to do so. For anyone reading this, please be sure to leave a review on the books you read; it means the world to the author.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Stick with it. You will get frustrated. You will get discouraged. Writing a novel can be a daunting task, but the satisfaction of finishing it and hearing great feedback on it makes it all worth it.