What is your favorite color? Blue. My living room carpet is blue, my couches are blue, and my walls are painted light blue. My entire living room is done in a navy blue and white theme. You can’t walk into my house and NOT know that I LOVE blue.
What is your favorite food? Grilled cheese sandwiches.
When and why did you begin writing? I began writing when my third child graduated from high school in 2006. My youngest child was still at home, but he was gone all day at school, work, and track. For once in my life, I had lots of time to dedicate towards writing. I decided to try my hand at writing a novel that had been in my head for at least sixteen years. The amazing results were Sierra.
How long have you been writing? On the computer: since 2006! In my head: all my life! Seriously, stories are constantly wafting through my mind. Yet, I’m not really fantasizing. I’m constantly writing scenes in my head. Word for word. It’s such a relief to finally put them all on paper. It makes me feel liberated.
What’s your favorite place in the entire world? I love Lake Tahoe in California/Nevada. Lake Tahoe makes an appearance in two of my novels.
But . . . I don’t travel much. I get horribly motion sick, so I don’t enjoy travel. However, I do join my husband on business trips on occasion. (We drive!) Oddly, one of my favorite places to stay is the JW Marriott in Las Vegas, Nevada. The grounds of that hotel transport you to another world and I absolutely love it there. (It’s not close to the strip.) For someone who doesn’t travel much, it’s AMAZING!
What genre are you most comfortable writing? Clean Romance! I love to write in all of the many different sub-genres of romance; mainly contemporary, paranormal, and suspense.
Why did you choose to write this particular book? I wrote I HAVE PEOPLE because I have a strong dislike for people who can’t control their temper.
What was the hardest part about writing this book? Getting it just right. I HAVE PEOPLE went through many changes and many re-writes before it saw the light of day. I even wrote another version that did not include amnesia—it didn’t work though. In the end, I’m happy with the final product and I don’t regret the amount of time I spent ‘getting it just right.’
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? YES! Physical, mental, or verbal abuse is NOT OKAY! EVER! This is what I wanted to announce to the world! I’ve already received a letter from a woman who expressed to me how much this book has helped her to not feel alone while she faces a verbally abusive situation. This is the most rewarding letter I’ve ever received. No matter what happens with the success or failure of this book, I’ve already succeeded, because I know it has helped at least one person so far.
What do you do to unwind and relax? Reality TV! I’m pathetically addicted to The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, The X-Factor, So you Think you can Dance, Survivor, and Celebrity Apprentice.
What inspired you to write your first book? An aching need to write the stories in my head.
I received my inspiration for my first novel, Sierra, from the true story of the abduction of Olympic medalist, Kari Swenson. As I watched the 1987 TV movie of her ordeal (Abduction) it sparked a "what if" story in me. What if the kidnapping had been successful? What if she was taken deep into the woods? What if she was rescued there? What if she had to stay with her rescuer through the winter?
The story wandered around my mind for sixteen years till I sat down at the computer and actually committed it to paper. I haven’t stopped writing since!
Who designed the cover? I chose the image, but my daughter designed the cover. She designs all of my covers for me and I’d be lost without her! In spite of the ‘happy’ cover, I HAVE PEOPLE is not a fluffy read. It deals with the very sensitive issue of domestic abuse.
What is your greatest strength as a writer? I will not give up. It’s not an option!
How did you come up with the title? I had an empty nest for the first time in my life when I began to write I Have People. I was feeling a little lonely and a little sorry for myself. But then, my children called incessantly and I realized, I Have People, and I always will. That’s when the name of the book was born.
When did you first know you could be a writer? When I let my sister read my unedited and unformatted draft of my first novel, Sierra. She LOVED it and stayed up all night to read it. She said she couldn’t put it down. That’s when I KNEW.
Do you have to travel much concerning your books? So far, not at all. That’s the beauty of this electronic day and age! My book promotion endeavors have all been through online sources. Since I’m a homebody, this suits me.
Are there any new authors that have sparked your interest and why? I would have to say Colleen Hoover. As a writer who started out by self-publishing, I’m impressed with her success.
What contributes to making a writer successful? Persistence. Never giving up. Love this quote: A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.
When you wish to end your career, stop writing, and look back on your life, what thoughts would you like to have? Wow! I wrote books? How did I do that? Seriously, I’d like to feel at peace with my life by knowing that I always put my family first.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Surrounded by my grandchildren and writing my twelfth book!
Genre – Contemporary Romance (PG13)
2 comments:
Thanks for the interview, Pandora! And thanks for letting me make an appearance on your blog!
Loved the interview Taylor. You already know that "Sierra" is my very favorite book and "I Have People" is a very close second.
I think reading this interview was so much fun. I love grilled cheese sandwiches too and am a big homebody. I hope that someday I will have a book to share. Keep up the wonderful, great, awesome work and I sure will be happy when I can have your latest book "Joshua's Folly" to read. I know it will be wonderful too. Your friend and fan always. Linda
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