Welcome to my blog,LL!
I just finished Living again and I admit I stalked you online, but I didn’t find any info on you, so you should be prepared for many questions..lol
Thank you!!! I’m so glad you liked it, and thanks for being part of my blog tour!!!
What does your pen name mean? How did you come up with it?
My pen name is my initials. I came up with it because I didn’t want to just use my first name, for several reasons (how about that for vague LOL)
Living again is your debut and so far, it has received amazing ratings! Congratulations by the way!! How does it feel to see your debut novel loved so much by the fans? Did you expect something like that?
It is a completely surreal experience! I mean, you write a story hoping that just ONE person will love it as much as you do, and then when you see the numbers downloaded and the reviews from complete strangers, plus messages from people, it’s just amazing. I could’ve never dreamed for the kind of reaction I’ve gotten so far. I swear sometimes I think I need to pinch myself to make sure it’s real. And, I squeal a lot. And get tears in my eyes J
Would you like to tell us something about yourself? How would you describe yourself?
I am a teacher and have been for over 10 years. I have only lived in the sunny state of Florida. I have two wonderful boys and a hubby that are my whole life, and a slew of amazing friends and family that have helped support my dreams. I would describe myself as a dedicated, driven, type-A personality. When I set my mind to something, I do it. I’m also a huge people person and love to be surrounded by people I love.
Did you always want to be a writer? If not, what did you want to be?
Yes. I’ve been a writer since the moment I knew that a pencil and paper existed. I wrote stories from the time I was a kid, and still have them. Writing has always been my escape and my first love. I never thought I would have the chance to pursue my dream of publishing, but I finally did.
What was the biggest problem you had to overcome while writing your book?
The biggest problem was not at all in writing the book, but what comes after it! Finding people to help you with the process of self-publishing was exhausting. Editing, covers, formatting, figuring out websites and promoting yourself and reaching out to people is way harder than you ever imagine. However, I have met some of the BEST people from networking with other authors and bloggers. There are some GREAT people out there. I have some fantastic friends now through this process.
How did it feel when you hit the “Publish” button?
It was terrifying!!! I hovered over the button for several minutes (ask my assistant Kellie!) We had been sitting in Starbucks for hours, researching just the right category, making sure everything was exactly how I needed it to be. She said, “Okay, it’s time!” and I said, “I’m not ready!” But I did it and then when I saw my book pop up for sale on Amazon, it was the craziest feeling. My name is out there. On a website. For sale. Totally one of the most awesome experiences of my life.
What inspired you to write Living again?
I never know when ideas are going to strike for stories. Usually I get ideas while driving, which is funny but that’s the way it happens. Other times I may be watching tv or hear a story from a friend that triggers an idea. The inspiration from Living Again came from thinking one day about what it would be like to have to start your life over after losing a spouse, and then I thought, what if you had a child? I have been married for almost 15 years and have two boys and I just started thinking about what would happen if that ever happened to me. I also toyed with the idea that some people say there is only one soul mate out there for you and I wondered, is that really true? So the story of Living Again was born and the characters came to me with their story after that.
Let’s continue with questions about these amazing characters you created!
Who is the closest to your personality? Kayley or Emily?
Hmm. I think I’m a mix of Kayley and Emily. I am sarcastic like Emily, but sensitive and dedicated like Kayley. Kayley wears her heart on her sleeve, and that is very similar to me as well. I’m a teacher like Emily, and I would stand up for my friends in an instant.
While you were writing it, did you imagine anyone in particular(celebrity or a friend of yours maybe?) as Kayley or Ben or any character at all?
No I didn’t. The best part (for me) about writing and reading is that you create the way the characters look in your own head. No two people think characters look the same, and that’s my favorite part about it. It was even hard for me to put a ‘person’ on the cover of my book because I didn’t want anyone to think that was the only vision of Kayley.
And now some “Favorite” questions…
Favorite Author(s): Wow. Too many to list. I LOVE to read. I would say Gail McHugh makes the top for sure, and also Colleen Hoover.
Favorite Artist: none
Favorite Stand-Alone Book: I can’t pick L
Favorite Series: Any of Gail and Colleen’s J
Favorite Movie: Liar Liar (oldie but goodie)
Favorite TV Show: it was Breaking Bad but it’s over L I have a list of them though Parenthood, Scandal, Duck Dynasty
Favorite Actor or Actress: Channing Tatum (LOL)
And Last but not least: A Teaser Question!
Would you like to share anything about your next book Reaching Rachel?
Reaching Rachel is a completely different but equally as riveting story about Kayley’s friend, Rachel Dawson. In Living Again, Rachel is a friend that Kayley works with. Throughout the story, she is very cynical about relationships and refuses to commit, but also is very tight lipped about why, not even confiding in her friends about what has happened to make her feel the way she does. We start getting some clues that she was in love once but it ended badly during that story.
In her story, we are going to delve into Rachel and what happened to make her the way she is. We are also going to see her get involved in something way over her head because she’s blinded by her need to be loved. We will also see her have to face her past in a way she never thought she would have to while also dealing with some pretty terrifying things that are happening to her now. It will have angst, romance, danger, and some pretty serious topics within this book as Rachel tries to work through her past and present. She will also come face to face with the one she let get away, and he will learn that things weren’t the way that they seemed.
Here’s a teaser from the book (subject to editing and final changes)!!!
None of her friends came here, and that’s why she came when she needed to be alone. The neighborhood it was in didn’t warrant young mid-twenties single girls to frequent it. She didn’t come here to meet men, or to have fun with friends. She came here to drink away the memory of him, every year on this day. September 3rd. She would never forget that day as long as she lived. The weeks before it had been bad enough- life altering, devastating blows to what had been a happy, lively girl with a bright future. It had been five years, but that didn’t stop her from thinking of this day, dreading it as the days marked off her calendar towards it.
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