I started at age ten, inspired by the first mystery novel I read- The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.

When I was ten or eleven, I started writing a murder mystery novel. The heroine was a news reporter who was invited to attend the reading of a will, but she'd never met the elderly woman who'd died. The premise was that the reading of the woman's will turned into a treasure hunt, with the winner inheriting the woman's fortune. Picture it, greedy family members who'd never cared about or visited the deceased. Faithful family employees with secrets, and more. Then several potential beneficiaries are murdered one by one. The reporter would solve the mystery. Of course, I didn't get too far. I finally hit a wall and couldn't figure out what came next. So I tossed it out, frustrated and a bit angry with myself. I had yet to learn about plotting, characterization, etc. But that was a fun summer while I was writing, and I'll never forget how excited I was to write each day.

I grew up in a working poor neighborhood called "The Boulevard Bottom" in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I was surrounded by storytellers. Family, neighbors, church members all were rich sources of interesting tales. There were so many fascinating characters that I still vividly remember. For example, my babysitter. Mrs. Olevia Moses, a Creole who had grown up in New Orleans, taught me how to avoid having voodoo "put on" me. Then there was the elderly lady next door who dressed up to look at television because she was convinced the people on screen could see her, too. So many stories.

I read science fiction, mystery, fantasy, romance, and horror. And lots of non-fiction, writing related topics, history, and news.

I use Kindle and Nook apps on my iPad, and I have a basic Kindle as well. I fell in love with eBooks a long time ago.

The push to break out of the mold that traditional publishing seemed to insist I fit. I wrote ten books released by major publishers with some modest success, but I wasn't happy writing what they wanted from me. So I turned down a contract and took a break. I didn't stop writing though. About that time, around 2006 or 2007, I started learning the ins and outs of indie publishing from other authors. I figured, "What do I have to lose?" The publishing industry had hit tough times, and many midlist authors like me just couldn't get book contract offers. So I jumped in.

I imagine the characters in the setting I selected, and their most important goal in the story or some obstacle they face. I have always worked with designers. I may describe in detail the look I want, but graphic design is more than arranging images and text on a page. So I work with those who have skills and know the principles of color, scale, etc.

I have note paper scattered about, different little notepads because I'm always scribbling something down. A coaster for a coffee cup or glass of something cool and refreshing. A round container with ink pens, scissors, letter opener. Finally of course my computer and two monitors. Lots of stuff. Hmm, kind of messy. Hit pause while I tidy up a bit!

Into The Mist continues the paranormal mystery series featuring a Creole psychic, LaShaun Rousselle. Her story develops over the first three books when she returns to her small hometown in Vermilion Parish. I conceived this series based on the Creole ladies I knew from childhood, and the stories they told. I have always been drawn to Louisiana legends about the supernatural. Into The Mist draws on that fascination, and my experiences as a social worker both in the child welfare and mental health fields.

My next book continues a series set in New Orleans featuring two sisters who are ghost hunters/psychic detectives. Dead Wrong will come out in late 2016 or early 2017. Charmaine and Jessi have to figure out how a two hundred year old murder relates to a series of contemporary murders, and not end up dead themselves.