I grew up in Los Angeles, California, the plastic fantastic home of movies and TV shows. My mom worked as a script girl for Monogram Studios, and was always writing scripts herself.

Living in L.A. had an air of the fantastic about it. My mom, Grandmother and I would walk down Hollywood Blvd., reading the names on the stars beneath our feet and talking to a plethora of characters, almost all of whom wanted to be in the movies. There were dozens of soda shop waitresses and waiters who dreamt of being discovered, life guards on the beach waiting for their big breaks and even bus drivers who sang as they drove down Sunset Strip.

Writing fantasy came naturally.

Other than writing occasional scripts adapted from classic children's books, I didn't start writing my Rogues Shifter Series until 2009. However, once I started I couldn't stop. I can't believe it, but book nine in the original series will release this year, so with the spin offs I've written, (The Triad Series and the Rogues Inc. Series), that makes twelve books in the Rogues Shifter world.

I wrote book one, Rebirth, with no intention of publishing it. I was going through a bad time in my life and I found that writing Jackie's story was cathartic and healing. When I was approximately half-way through with the book, Barnes and Noble began sending me information about self- publishing.

I was terrified, but I put the book up for sale in March of 2011 and sold one copy in the first month. I pulled it down and rewrote it several times. At the same time I was writing book two, Stalked. I released both of them in August of that same year and they began to sell.

That's when I started to research indie publishing as a career path. Mark came to talk to the Silicon Valley Romance Writers of America chapter and I was sold on indie publishing and Smashwords.

Sharing a story with readers is by far my favorite thing.

I've gotten some amazing emails and comments from readers about how they connect to my characters. Sometimes I've cried after reading their messages. Sometimes I've laughed out loud.

My tales take Jackie, Garrett and Charlie to dark places. My readers will tell you I don't make it easy on them. But my characters find strength in love and friendship just as I have in my life. Acceptance is a common theme, as is compassion and loyalty. My motley crew of rogues - vampires, shifters, fae, demons, witches and sorcerers - somehow seem to fit together. That's the way life is too,

To my Fans: First I'd like to say THANK YOU.
I'm honored that you take the time to share your thoughts and opinions. I'm so pleased that you seem to like Jackie and Garrett's story, especially since I intend to keep writing it. (And Charlie's too.) I know that my books get purchased mostly because of word of mouth, so thanks so much for shout-outs.

I'm an avid reader myself and have often written reviews of books, some great, some not. As long as you're honest and considerate, I appreciate what you have to tell me. Whether you've read only the first book or you've read the entire series: THANK YOU.
And if you have read the books, but prefer not to comment, that's okay too.

And to everyone: Keep reading indie authors! Thanks.

I'm now writing book nine in the Rogues Shifter Series, a book I dreaded writing for quite a while. I'd labeled it the last book in the series. The finale. But after writing a couple of novellas in the same world and thinking about all the characters, I realize the war that's coming doesn't mean life stops when it's over. People have to pick up the pieces. Start over. Deal with grief and joy and relief and even nightmares. My characters will take in what they've experienced in different ways. I want to be there for their journey. I hope my readers do too.

Where to begin??
As a child - Little Women. I've always been a feminist. :)
These days? I'll list my #1 fantasy favorites first.
General Fantasy: Neil Gaiman. Love, love, love this author. George RR Martin, Patrick Rothfus, and more...
Urban Fantasy: Ilona Andrews: A spectacular husband/wife writing team. (Kate Daniels and Curran forever!) I love all their various series.
Paranormal Romance: Nalini Singh: Every story has the perfect balance of heart and action. You root for every one of her characters.And the Guildhunter Series...wow! Love Rafael.
Historical Romance: Diana Gabaldon (Jamie and Claire...OMG) Sarah Maclean, Lisa Klepas, Eloisa James, Julia Quinn, the list goes on and on
Other paranormal fantasy favorites: JR Ward, Kim Harrison, Karen Marie Moning, Patricia Briggs, Thea Harrison, Shelly Laurenston, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jeaniene Frost,
LGBTQ - TJ Klune. I can't put into words how his books tweak at my emotions. From laugh out loud funny to heartbreaking to romantic. Love them. The Captive Prince Trilogy by C.S. Pacat. '
Erotic Romance. Nobody does it like Tiffany Reisz. Kingsley is one of my all time fav. characters.
Other Fantasy favorites: JR Tolkien, Justin Cronin
Mystery: Nevada Barr, Patricia Cornwell, Elizabeth George, Deborah Crombie, PD James
Classic: Jane Austin, Dickens, Shakespeare, Kurt Vonnegut, Louisa May Alcott,
There's so many more.....

#1 The need for coffee
#2 The cat demands it
#3 The craving to write

Believe it or not, I sing in a church choir and spend a lot of time at the movies and theatrical performances in San Francisco. I have two grown daughters who share my love of the arts.
My favorite thing to do every month is to go to my local chapter meetings of Romance Writers of America. Those men and women are bright and funny and always inspirational.
And in case you didn't know, I write very spicy romance novels under a pen name - Marie Booth. You can check her out here www.mariebooth.com

#1 WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE
#2 Read the genre you write in
#3 Put your butt in the chair and start writing, now. No excuses.
#4 Write every day
#5 Set goals and try to keep to them, but If you can't, don't beat yourself up.
#6 Even if you think that what you've written is bad, don't throw it away. Save it somewhere. It may give you an idea for something else later on.
#7 It's okay to break writing rules. No words that end in 'ly'? Ha! That really silly rule makes me groan loudly. (Okay that's bad. Use them with care.)
#8 Your voice as an author is unique. Don't let anyone try to change it.
#9 If you don't love your story, no one else will either.
#10 Self-publish on Smashwords, but read the style guide first.

I usually think of the climax first. The big deal thing that has to happen near the end. Then I think about what characters I'll need.Then I start with chapter one. As I write, more characters present themselves.

I write organically. I don't do character sketches, or chapter diagrams. I just write. That's what seems to work best for me. I've tried to be more organized, but then I get tied up in that and don't spend enough time writing. Writing is what I love to do.

When I've finished the book, the first thing I do is call my book cover artist. Then I go back to the beginning and fix things.