At work, everyone laughs at my thirst for reading, whether it is insurance policy wordings, reading my phone as I head back to my office, or eating as I try to turn the page in a novel. My appetite changes daily. Sometimes, I want to plow through a Harlequin romance to kill a couple of hours, read a court drama, mystery, a YA/NA novel with or without paranormal factors, etc. I went through a period where I collected the top 100 Classic literature, the Fear Street novels, and all of the V.C. Andrews series, so those are always present to rediscover.

My favorite genre (right now) is Young Adult Paranormal Romance. This would include series by Cassandra Clare, Richelle Mead, Lauren Kate, Alyson Noel, Amanda Hocking, etc. My hope is that readers can be as attached to my characters as I was to theirs.

This is a twofold answer.

First, I love the writing process because I can take the characters that scream at me in my head and give them life. As I write, it's like a movie in my head, and I can make them do whatever I want. I try to have the characters placed in situations opposite of what I hoped for them and make them fight to where I originally intended them to be.

Second, and probably even more satisfying, is being able to hear how readers respond to the completed project. If they get attached to the character or problem, I am happy.

When I was younger, I was in love with the Fear Street series from R.L. Stine. In (I believe) grade eight, I wrote a novel on my mother's computer about a teenager falling in love and having magic. It was full of cliches and lacked any type of conflict, but I finished it even though it ultimately found the delete button.

In 2013, I was on maternity leave and started to write a novel to pass the time. It is a part of a six-book series called Unbound. Halfway through the third installment, I started to write Twisted Fate and couldn't stop, so that took priority. If it hadn't, I believe the characters would have rebelled! I am plotting a spin-off series to this now.

Now that Twisted Fate is wrapping up, I have gone back to that series and completed the book that I stalled in. The first novel, Empowered, will be published on August 30, 2019.

My writing process is constantly changing, though I am trying to be more organized and efficient.

As I previously mentioned, the first novel that I wrote found the delete button. I regret that as I wish I could have a snapshot back into my younger self's mind. When I was on maternity leave, I started to write a novel; however, it always found the delete button, so I began to write everything longhand. This included a binder for each series so that I could keep track of plot, characters, and settings. The first three novels in Unbound and all six novels in Twisted Fate were completed this way. It didn't take as long as it sounds, but it wasn't very efficient as I then had to type it out.

Now, after a four-year break from writing due to career commitments, I don't have the patience for the longhand style. I've begun doing everything paperless except for the plotting, which is still within binders, though I have been playing with OneNote for a new series that I've begun to plot. Now, I have a million flash drives and cloud storage because I fear that dreaded delete button!

I look through stock photos and wait for a picture to jump out at me. Sometimes, it is a couple of photos that I want to group together, so I've had to learn how to edit. It's a learning process and it's not uncommon for me to make 10+ covers for each novel because 'something' doesn't turn out quite the way I want. As an author, it's hard because you want the cover to be a snapshot of what the novel entails and that can be elusive.

On the hutch of my desk are the plotting binders for my series and a diffuser. On the left-hand side are notebooks, pens, stickies, a lamp, and a laptop that I play T.V. shows on while I write. On the right is my other laptop and (usually) a cup of coffee, with a shelf underneath for reference books.

I completed a lot of research before self-publishing my first novel. Ultimately, I wanted to be in control, though it is a lot of work. It gives me a sense of satisfaction to know that any success that I may have is of my own doing, though I am writing a standalone novel that I may try submitting to go the traditional route. I'd like to see how that compares i.e. if the pros outweigh the cons. Either way, it isn't just about writing a novel, and I think the author has a lot of work to put in.

iPad or iPhone, because they are convenient, though nothing replaces a physical version.

Currently, I am editing the remainder of the Twisted Fate series, which I have now finished writing. Fate's Disguise will be published in the fall 2019 and Fate's Escape will be published in the New Year. The spin-off series, Inheritance (working title) is being plotted. Also, I have completed plotting a new series which will have four installments, plus a novella that I've already written.

At the same time, I have started to write book four in the Unbound series. The first novel, Empowered, will be published on August 30, 2019.