I go in with a vision. Sometimes I sketch that vision out on paper and sometimes I don't find that vision until I find an image that speaks to me. Once those ideas are in place, I set the cover design in motion.

The Breathing series by Rebecca Donovan
Real by Katy Evans
The Dark Elements series by Jennifer L Armentrout
The Sweet trilogy by Wendy Higgins
The Mighty Storm by Samantha Towle

I read a wide range of books for pleasure - I like contemporary romance, a vast array of young adult, books on the craft of writing, and books about photography. When reading fiction, if there is a good human connection in the story and it quickly pulls me in, then most likely, I'll read it!

My Kindle Fire, although I've been known to sneak a book or two on my cell phone.

I don't actually work at a desk. I write on a laptop and like to move around a lot while I write. I have multiple recliners throughout my home that I write from, as well as a recliner at my mother-in-law's where I sometimes sneak in a few words. All of my reference materials are kept in a milk crate that is easily carried to each location. The "change of scenery" helps me keep the creative juices flowing!

I spent the majority of my formative years as an only child in the country. We lived thirty miles from my school, from any sort of shopping and from the nearest town. I had no neighborhood kids to play with. My parents were slightly older (my father was retired) and we spent a good bit of time at our home so I didn't have friends around much. Because of this, I had plenty of time to think, create and dream up alternate realities. Those facts have helped me create worlds and characters that I can bring to life in my books.

I was in a class called "Gifted and Talented Education" when I was in school and that class inspired us to be creative. We wrote many stories and created different creative scenarios to act out. Those were probably my earliest days of writing. I do remember that, because of my love of music, I began writing poetry at eight years old and my first "novel" (albeit horrid) was written when I was nineteen years old.

I think my greatest inspiration for becoming an indie author was when I attended a signing several years back for Colleen Hoover, Jamie McGuire and Tammara Webber. They got their start as independents and as the indie world took off, I decided to take the novel I was currently working on the indie route.

The greatest joy of writing is being able to create alternate realities. To bring characters to life. To bring joy to myself and to readers. The characters, in essence, become my friends for a time. And as I get attached to them, sometimes writing the ending is a bit difficult, because it's hard to say goodbye when you spend so much time with someone.

I'm currently working on three projects. One is a super secret project I am co-authoring, one is a second chance romance, and the last is a book I published in a "past life" that is being completely redone. It is being transformed from third person to first person and I am breathing new life into it. I'm hoping to have all three of this out before April 2017!

The majority of my time is spent with my family. We enjoy our trips to Disney, watching basketball (Syracuse University is our team of choice), listening to music, and spending time with the grandparents! Occasionally, I return to my other love, photography. I like to keep multiple creative aspects open. Our family also enjoys trips to the beach and just enjoying the Sunshine state in general!

My facebook feed, various blogs I subscribe to, and fellow authors.

I usually start with an idea and write a one or two page synopsis of a story. From there, I work out plot points that should be focused on in each chapter - points that keep the story moving. And then I begin writing (and usually skew from my timeline, but in the end get the story done.)