I have several books in the pipeline, actually the editorial calendar is quite full.

Look for the short story companion to In the Desert in August. Then in October, On the Mountain, the third full-length book in the Follow your Bliss series will be released followed by the novella companion in December.

My faves include the likes of Liz Gilbert and Maggie Stiefvater for sheer badassery, and then J.K.Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien for the richly woven worlds worlds they've created. Then of course there are my indie favorites: Steph Campbell, Cheyanne Young, Nikki Godwin...I could go on and I should, they all deserve a shout out, but my Twitter feed will tell you everything you need to know.

Oxygen.

I'd like to say that I'm solving the world's problems or greedily, er, I mean, altruistically inventing a time machine, so I could have more of it. But in actuality, when I don't have my writing cape on, I'm a parent, a wife, a householder, a yogi (student & teacher.) I surf, garden, and read, oh, that's a big one.

Often word of mouth and covers. I don't judge a book by its cover, but I do often select a novel if the cover is lovely, enticing, classy, or just draws me in. But I also have some great friends and we're in a reading group together; e text our thoughts as we go and they have introduced me to some great titles.

That would involve an archaeological dig. So no, I do not remember the very first book I wrote if we're talking ancient history, but as an adult, the first book I wrote, finished, edited, etc. is called The Spark. (My screen name is a little nod to my humble beginnings.) I love that story (and incidentally so does my dad,) but I don't think it'll ever be published. If you're wondering, it's YA fantasy involving mythology, ice hotels, lonely New England towns, and a hot protag.

My writing process involves an outline, big chunks of uninterrupted time, quiet, and imagination. I've written in depth about it on my blog. I also believe in approaching anything, be it a writing project, a mountain, a wave, a screaming toddler, with equanimity. Always.

I have a Kindle. Uh, actually, it's not mine. I gank my daughter's Kindle when I read an ebook, although I am still a big fan of paper books and read those whenever I can.

My desk. I love my desk. My husband made it for me; it's simple and has a craftsman inspired design: one drawer, two shelves, a broad, smooth top. The wood came from our land, DH milled it, and then banged it together to my specifications. I only write at my desk.

The story behind my latest book was pulled, in equal parts, from my creative trove, from a real life road trip I had planned (but never took) and my belief in the importance of "following your bliss," even if, initially, we don't know what that is. Opening up, seeing where life takes us, sloughing off the false stories we tell ourselves (all the shoulds and expectations,) and the intention to bring joy into the world are the signposts to happiness. As Brighton's story unfolds, she does all these things, set against angst, confusion between want and need, and succumbing to the fear of loss at the expense of genuine connection. However, ultimately, she finds happiness both in the journey and the destination, but not without a few speed bumps along the way.