Q and A

 

What inspired you to become a writer?

I remember wishing there were more options for Christian kids whose parents didn’t want them reading general market books. There was quite a variety of Christian novels for teen girls but very few for boys. This inspired me to write that kind of a book. Plus I love weird plots in fantasy worlds or books about spies.

 

What are your favorite books?

Too many to name. I grew up on Little House on the Prairie and Nancy Drew. I also love fantasy like The Hobbit, Harry Potter, The Circle Trilogy, This Present Darkness, and A Wrinkle in Time; science fiction like Ender’s Game, Maximum Ride, Percy Jackson, and Pendragon; and contemporary books like Alex Rider, Ella Enchanted, and Stargirl. Some of my all time favorite books: Pride and Prejudice, The Chocolate War, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Lord of the Rings, Speak, The King of Atolia, and Timeline.

 

When does To Darkness Fled (Blood of Kings, book 2) come out?
April 2010.

Where can I find your books?

You can purchase them online from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. And if your local bookstore doesn’t carry them, they can order them for you. If you’re interested in an autographed copy, you can purchase those though my website. Also, many libraries carry my books. If yours doesn’t, ask them to order it. If they are hesitant, download the library reviews on my Free Downloads page, take them to your librarian, and those should talk them into it.

 

Can you do a critique for me?

Unfortunately, I can’t do a critique for everyone who asks. I recommend finding a critique group to join. The more critiques you offer others, the more you should receive.

 

What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

I love creating characters. It’s amazing to sit behind a keyboard and bring people to life. I love getting to know my characters and seeing how they will shape the story I’m writing.

 

What is the hardest part about being a writer?

Patience. It’s really hard to write a novel, rewrite it a dozen times, and still have to wait to see it in print. That’s a hard thing to deal with. Understanding that, I write to honor God with my story and to enjoy the process of writing has to be enough, because it may never be published.

 

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Write and read a lot! The more you study the books you love, the more you’ll understand what makes a good story. The more you write, the better you’ll be able to tell a story. You also need to lean the craft of writing. You can do this by reading books and attending writers’ conferences. I have recommendations for both on my “For Writers” page.