Who influenced you to become an author?
I would definitely have to say that my influences for writing children's and young adult books were, and still are, J. K. Rowling, Rob Scotton, Beverly Clearly, and Judy Blume.  

Can I buy a signed book from you?
I am happy to work out arrangements to sell you a signed copy of any of my paperback books. The usual process is for me to invoice you through PayPal for the retail cover price of the book plus shipping. If that interests you, please contact me through the Contact tab above. Shipment/delivery could take up to four weeks depending on my deadlines. *UPDATE - As of January 2023, I also accept payments through Zelle & Venmo.

Can I get bookmarks or swag from you?
I am happy to send individuals, book clubs, or bookstores bookmarks and swag free of charge. International readers requesting bulk amounts of bookmarks or swag will be asked to pay for the shipping and will be invoiced via PayPal. If you're interested in requesting bookmarks or swag, please contact me through the Contact tab above. Shipment/delivery could take up to four weeks depending on my deadlines.

Can you read my unpublished manuscript for me?
Unfortunately, my deadline and release schedule prevents me from having the time to do this for you. I highly recommend you find a local or online writers' group that offers critique groups or critique partners. 

Can I have a free book?
I don't typically give books away for free just because someone asks but I do give a bunch away in my own giveaways and in giveaways through bloggers and Facebook events. Follow my Facebook page for lots of opportunities to win books, gift cards, swag, and other fun things from me!

Will you contribute to my blog, Facebook event, or charity giveaway?
I try to contribute to as many giveaways and charity events as I can so I'm happy to consider yours, but please understand that sometimes my writing schedule or the number of other giveaway items I've already contributed might make it impossible to participate at that time. Feel free to contact me through the Contact tab above.

What is your writing schedule/process?
I am a full-time author, and with having four of our five children still at home, I write as often as my time allows me too. If I'm writing and/or drawing the children's books then it doesn't matter what time of the day or night I work on them. And it also doesn't matter if there are people standing around talking to me or even if the television is on, but if I'm writing the YA books, I'll mostly write in the evening hours once everyone is asleep. It is difficult for me to get my head into the world I've created in my books, so once I'm there, I need to be distraction free. I go in my office, turn off all the lights, light the candle that sits on my desk, and listen to movie scores while I write. Epic movie scores and anything composed by Peter Gundry, always seem to get me into my world faster and keeps me there. Here are the movie scores I keep on my iPod at all times:

Bram Stoker's Dracula

Crimson Peak

Dracula Untold

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them {from all 3 movies}

Gods of Egypt

Harry Potter {from all 8 movies}

Indiana Jones {from all 4 movies}

Jurassic Park {from all 3 movies}

Jurassic World

Lord of the Rings {from all 3 movies}

Pompeii

Red Riding Hood

Star Wars Saga {from all 9 movies}

The Hobbit {from all 3 movies}

The Twilight Saga {from all 5 movies}

The Wolfman

Can you please write a story about your character, Linda "Nasty" Naspinski, from A Place To Go?
I listened! And I have decided, after so many reader requests, that yes, I will write a book on Nasty. And I have also decided to take the line out of A Place To Go when Nasty says, "Call me Nasty," and use that as the title of her book. Needless-to-say I was quite surprised with the response her character had. 

When will your books be on audio?
I am actively working on that and I hope to have that completed in the near future. 

When will your books be translated into different languages?
I hope to start that project within the near future.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
1.  BICHOK - Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard. You can't revise what you haven't written and you can't sell what you haven't written. So write EVERY DAY. Yes, everyday. Even if you only commit to an hour a day or even 100 words a day, you need to get in the habit of making forward progress. And never underestimate the amazing power of getting to write "The End" and proving to yourself you can finish a whole book.

2.  Read, read, read. One of the best ways to learn how to WRITE is to READ extensively in your genre. Find books you think do a great job at characters or world building or suspense or pacing and study them (just be sure that your application of those techniques in your own work is in your original words!).

3.  Treat is like a profession, by which I mean join the professional organizations, do the work consistently, study and hone your craft, and always present yourself professionally (on social media, on your website, and in only submitting or publishing your work when it's in the absolute best shape it can be).

4.  Find a critique partner, preferably someone else who is professionally pursuing publication and not just a friend who will tell you it's great! While it may be great, everyone benefits from having other writers who know the craft and the genre give you feedback on your work. You can find critique partners through local and online writers groups.

5.  Don't give up! At the beginning of your writing career, you will get a lot more nos and rejections that yeses and acceptances! Persevere and don't give up! Every big name author you know experienced rejection at some point in their career.

*If your question is not answered here, please feel free to contact me through the Contact tab above.

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