My mother with Alzheimer's. I wanted to get my story 'out there' so she could see a part of her story immortalized in print. She used to say "Did that really happen? Read it to me again."

<Laughing> Yes. It was about a pirate and a lovely young lass in Ireland. I had the book halfway finished when my children deleted it off the word processor. Twenty years later I left my pirate behind and decided to create my own race of people.

My latest book is a series where a group of people have ESP. They live in secret and adhere to a strict moral code. They live an extended life span. The oldest is six hundred twenty-seven years old.

I write at a roll top desk that is usually cluttered. It sits in my sunroom that overlooks my back yard. From there I have a view of a farmer's field, my rhododendron bed, gazebo, and backyard swing. When I write scenery, it inspires me.

Reading, gardening, and time with my grandchildren are how I choose to spend my time.

I predominantly read the classics. I'm working my way through them. Prior to that, in earlier years, I read any and every historical romance I could get my hands on. Back then, I chose them by the cover and synopsis. I find the same is true with ebooks. The cover draws me in and the synopsis seals the deal.

I tried outlining, writing particular scenes when the inspiration moved me, and individual chapters (then putting it together). The only thing that works for me is just sitting down and hammering away. I edit my own books, which some say is folly, but I have a distinct method. First, I set the finished book aside for a few months. Second, I read it for flow, typos, and believe-ability. Third, I have the computer read my book to me. This last step is the most critical. I pick up so many typos and bad flow instances with this technique. It works for me.

Sometimes, I have a vision of a character in my head before I begin. I have the cover made and use it for inspiration. In the case of Larkspur, my heroine was specific. She had to look innocent. I searched for her the longest. Ryeth's character is strong and powerful, but is also dark and brooding. It was hard to find the exact male model for him, because most powerful and dark men are cast as sinister, and that wouldn't work.

Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter series is one of my favorites. He was able to write about fantastic things and make them believable. I love Stephen King - I've read everything he has written in book form. His gunslinger series kept me going back for more.

Whatever I have with me at the time. I read on my phone, my laptop, and on my Kindles.