I usually turn on inspirational music to get started and I go from there. The first thing I do is come up with the main plot line-- The hero in my romances and the major obstacles in my fantasy writing. After I figure out what the story is to be about, I start outlining the entire book. My outlines are quite extensive and take up a lot of paper. I use poster boards and plot everything out in a sharpie:)

The first story that ever had an impact on me was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It wasn't the first book that I have ever read, but it was the first book that I had ever fully understood. I thank God every day for that eye opener. I love reading now, and I am an even bigger fan of writing.

I usually think of the one thing that isn't that important in the story and go from there. There was a book cover that I did a long time ago that was nominated for an award and it was one that took a picture of a pregnant woman with a man holding her. The whole book was about love and loss and at the very end--the very last page there was a baby. I took that and went with it. I fell in love with that cover.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban JK ROWLING ( I love the whole time turner sequence. Rowling has an imagination that I absolutely adore.)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix JK ROWLING (This was my favorite of the entire series and it boiled down to the last two chapters for me. I just think there is no one that can pull off narrative like JK ROWLING.)
Flirting with Pete Barbara Delinsky ( I read this book in 4 hours. I didn't put it down, even to pee. Gross, I know. It was fantastic, and it made me laugh, smile, and cry. One of the most powerful books that I have ever read.)
MacGregor Brides and Grooms NORA ROBERTS (Nora Roberts has a way with humor that I find utterly fantastic. In this book, the grandfather keeps a journal, and I can't tell you enough how funny I find this family.)
Wizard's First Rule Terry Goodkind (Nobody writes Fantasy like Terry Goodkind. My husband turned me on to this series and I have read every single book at least three times a piece.)

I read Cowboy Romance Novels for pleasure. I absolutely love Diana Palmer, even though most of her books are exactly the same--only with a different title. I also love to read fantasy books--mostly young adult.

I have a Kindle Fire HD, but there is also a Nook, regular Kindle and a Kobo in this house. We have it covered!

I would have to say twitter and going to comic book conventions. I have been to several conventions in the last year where I've handed out business cards, bookmarks and free swag--like buttons and t shirts. For some unknown reason, people friend me after the conventions and I end up making sales! I love it, and I get to dress up and be a total nut. It's a win win situation:)

My desk-- Wow. It's a plethora of contradictions. I have two sculptures on it. One is a woman with a square, magnetic head that holds paperclips! lol My mother n law gave it to me last year. I also have a sculpture of a Mermaid with a Manatee--don't even ask. Trust me, you don't want to know. I have an empty Twizzlers wrapper and a picture of my husband. A coffee mug, my computer, speakers and a rolodex with all of my publishing contacts and writing friends. I also now have a 2 liter of coke and a cup of ice... There goes the diet!

I grew up in a very small, country town in Ohio. Most of the people there are redneck and just love to have a good time. Good family values, for the most part, and love to go cow tipping, wandering around cornfields and listen to country music at the county fair. This really influenced my love for Cowboys and Western Romance.

I started writing seriously in 2004. I haven't stopped writing since:)

The Stairs to Andeligh is the book that I am finishing up on now. It has been written for several years, but needed that extra something, so I set it off to the side. It is a fantasy for children. It starts out in the United States when a family loses their job and ends up in a fantastical world called Andeligh which is through a secret door in an old mansion in Ireland. I know...deep:)

I wanted my books out there, and at the time, I didn't have a ton of confidence in whether I was a great enough author to get traditionally published. Since I started, I've published several books and two with another company called "Books to Go Now". I also have several that are out there...submitted to a few big places. Time will tell. If they don't make it, I will do them myself. I am proud of my work and I have a few fans out there that keep asking for my stuff. That always helps!

Smashwords is wonderful. It has been great because they are the only ones that let you list your books for free without any weird guidelines. You can also give coupons away to people and set your own price and get the most bang for your buck. I am proud to be a smashwords author!

The greatest joy of writing to me is telling the story. I really dig in deep to my characters' minds and it's like they take over! I have to get the story out there, and when I do, it's almost a relief. I can't tell you how many times I've laughed and cried over my own work! haha

My fans mean a lot to me. Just recently a woman tweeted me about a book series that I started in 2010. She wanted to know where and when she could get the third book. I had been putting it off for a while, not feeling the storyline, but when I saw that tweet, it ignited something. I felt good about myself and it gave me the confidence to finish what I started. So, yeah--having some fans out there--is something that is indescribable. It's a good feeling.

I am working on a gangster series. I don't have a working title yet, but I have the plot carefully written out. I look forward to the New Year when I can start on it:)

JK Rowling, Debbie MaComber, Diana Palmer, Lisa Morgan, Crystal Ward, Charity Parkerson, TR Stampz... Jay T. Harding... several more and unfortunately not enough room to list.

My children. I have to get them ready for school!

I spend most of my time playing with my two children. They are my world. And when time permits, I like to cuddle with my husband! I wish he could just retire already.

I am on several different sites as well as groups on facebook. I also subscribe to many authors on twitter and I am a subscriber to bookbub.

yes. IRIS. I wrote it with my husband.