15 Questions

As promised, here are the answers to 15 questions you wanted to know….

Question 1:

How do you find time to write with being a mom and wife?

When I was working outside the home finding time to write was very difficult. However, what I quickly discovered was that I was happier after I started writing. My friends and family even commented on it. My mom stopped threatening to call my husband to see what was wrong with me. There were several difficult things going on in our lives at the time I started this book, and I needed something for me that was a release. So I made time. Usually it was at night, after my daughter went to bed.

Now, honestly, my challenge is finding time to not write. I love it and want to do it all the time. I wake up around 5 a.m. every day, even if I don’t want to. My brain is working, and I want to start writing. But first I force myself to the elliptical, and then it’s getting the family out the door to school and work. Then I try to give myself a few hours to get other things done—emails, laundry, dishes, etc. Then I write until the bus drops my daughter off and we do homework. I’m usually writing again while my daughter gets her ‘daddy time’ in the evening. On days where I’m running my daughter to activities I don’t write much, so I use those days for shopping and getting other errands done.

So, as you see, I need a schedule. It’s what helps me function. I still don’t have it all figured out, but I think I’m on the right track. At least my family hasn’t complained that I’m always in the office ignoring them!

Question 2:

Are you still using your degree?

Well, I guess that depends on your definition of ‘using.’ By a standard definition, I never really used either of my degrees. When I first started working at Cummins I went into customer support. My degree helped me answer questions about engines, but I didn’t really use what I was taught in school. However, surviving a four year engineering degree as one of the very few females did teach me how to handle those customers who told me, “You wouldn’t know, I need to ask a man.” I might have to write that mean old lady into one of my books…

For my MBA, same thing. It was more of a ‘supporting’ degree that helped me to understand my role better as a marketing functional leader.

The reality is that throughout my career my degrees enabled me to figure it out. They gave me the skills I needed to analyze situations, process information, and make educated decisions. They taught me how to look at problems from all angles and assess risks. Going by this definition, I use my degrees everyday in just about everything I do.

I certainly apply this to writing. A story has to make sense. It needs to have a purpose. With each book I write I hope to create an experience. Using my skills of analyzing situations comes in handy. It’s also one of the reasons I’ve adopted Literary Engineer as my new title.

Question 3:

A particular subject becomes a critical focus in the book. It brought forth an awareness that I was unfamiliar with until I read Kingston’s Project. How did you learn of this and was it the inspiration that drove you to write the book?

This question is difficult to answer without giving away any spoilers for those who have not yet read Kingston’s Project. I’ll give it my best shot though.

In short, it was not the initial inspiration for the book. My dream was about the two main characters—Sarah and Elijah—and I knew that they each had a story to tell and they were going to help each other. The particular subject you are asking about came up on the very first search I did, in the very first link that I clicked. I knew it was perfect even though I didn’t know what my story was yet. I also didn’t know anything about the subject until I wrote the book. I’m grateful for Deana Simpson, who agreed to read the early manuscript and helped me ensure that the information was accurate.

I’ve said all along, it was like I was watching a movie in my head and I just typed what was given to me. I believe I was meant to write this book and about this subject. I’m not yet sure why, but God knows.

Question 4:

How many, if any, of the characters/places are based off of people/places you know?

I tried very hard to not make any of the characters into someone I knew. I would say that each person is a mash up of many people I know or have met. For example, both Maggie and Tina are representations of my many amazing friends. I did realize after I finished the book that Tina was much more like one friend in particular than a mash up of many. I’ve already told her, and I’ll keep it between us (unless she wants to brag about it).

I’ve been asked if Sarah is me. I guess I did put a lot of me into Sarah. But she is much braver than I am and a lot more direct! And I hate coffee. And I often wish I took out my stress on the treadmill.

The stuffed dog, Max, is a direct inspiration from my daughter’s favorite stuffed dog, Ellie. However, Max doesn’t wear a pink skirt like Ellie does!

The hike that Sarah takes with Elijah, Miles and Tina is inspired from a real hike in Colorado—Lake Isabelle.

Sarah’s favorite pizza place in Chicago is based on a real location. I originally had the name in the book, but it’s not a chain. I sent an email to ask if they were OK with my mentioning their name, but I never heard back so I just gave a general description.

The guy on stilts when Sarah visits downtown Boulder is a real person, and really makes you gasp in fear of him getting hurt with his antics. I’m assuming he still hangs out in Downtown Boulder.

The location of the gala was inspired by similar locations in the Denver area.

Question 5:

How did you decide names, locations, and careers?

Really, I felt like I didn’t have a choice with the names. They were just in my head. At one point I tried to change Leanne’s name. Because, well, she’s kind of a bitch. One of my college roommates is a Leanne, and my character has an eerie physical resemblance to my college roommate. However, ‘my’ Leanne is not, in any way, a bitch. Unless you deserve it by telling her she grew up in Southern Indiana. And then she just exacts revenge by cursing you to end up there after you graduate… Sorry, I digress.

I tried to change the character Leanne’s name, but I couldn’t. She was a Leanne. I have warned my old roommate and I think she believes me. I hope. Really, you already got your revenge… 🙂

Locations were easier. I’m from Indiana so that’s where Sarah’s from. I picked Colorado because I love it there. Whenever my husband and I go there, I always tell him it feels like going home. I don’t know why. I knew it would be the perfect pace for Sarah to try to discover the strength she needed to heal.

Careers were a mix of ‘meant to be’ and what I needed it to be. I needed to give Sarah a career that provided a legitimate reason for her to go out of state to lead a project for someone she didn’t know. The roles and companies are all fictitious, but they could exist. That’s what I was going for. I gave Elijah a high profile role because I wanted the contrast for his situation. Leanne was a natural fit for her role. And Marcus, well he just had to be what he was… sigh.

Question 6:

Do you have personal connections to the drunken wedding dancing described in the book?

HA! Way more than the ballroom and contemporary dancing that’s in the book! Yes, most of my dance moves can be described as chaotic drunken spasms. But some of my friends are much more skilled in this genre of dancing than I am! (you know who you are)

Question 7:

Do you have a song on your playlist you wish you could hide?

Like Sarah, I have a very eclectic collection of music. I’m sure there are some songs on there that others would laugh at, but I wouldn’t hide them. All my songs make me smile for one reason or another. As long as they make me happy, that’s all that matters.

Question 8:

Why did you decide to self-publish?

I decided to self-publish for a few reasons.

1) I’m too much of a control freak and I didn’t like the idea of someone else ‘owning’ my book.

2) It seems that the traditional publishing route takes a long time. Longer than the threshold of my patience.

3) My ending word count was higher than the ‘recommended’ word count for a new author. I convinced myself this would negatively impact numbers 1 & 2 so I went straight to self-publish.

4) I have an MBA, and by self-publishing I might get a chance to use it 🙂

Question 9:

Is the book based off your life?

Thankfully, no. Sarah’s loss is one of my greatest fears. I felt I had to go there as it was a form of therapy for me. I’ve had more loss in my 39 years than many my age, and have watched family members go through significant loss. That was the other driver for Sarah’s story. Elijah’s story was meant to be and evolved on its own. I don’t personally know anyone affected by Elijah’s condition in the book.

Question 10:

What’s your favorite part of the book?

Wow, that would be like trying to pick a favorite between my children… oh, wait, I only have one child. Right. If I had to pick a favorite part—I’d have to say the Thanksgiving dinner. It’s somewhat of a turning point for both Sarah and Elijah. And the way they all support each other in that moment, I love it. I just smile whenever I think about that part of the book.

Question 11:

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

In college I jumped out of a plane 4 times. I did have a parachute, so I suppose it wasn’t that crazy. Although I thought my mom was going to beat me when she found out. She called to talk, and my roommate (the one that’s not a bitch like Leanne) told her, “She should be jumping out of a plane right about now.” Probably not the best way for her to find out.

Question 12:

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Australia. I’ve been there once for work, about 15 years ago. I was young and not brave enough to venture out on my own so I didn’t see much beyond the office. Not a single koala or kangaroo. I did see cows; they look the same as in Indiana.

Question 13:

What’s your favorite book?

That I can’t pick. I love so many books for just as many reasons. I’m so grateful for my book clubs. Before joining them, I seemed to stick to only one or two authors. Since, I’ve discovered the joy in reading different authors and different genres. Now that I write, I even read books that I would normally never touch. Some I like and some I don’t. Either way, it helps me be a better writer.

Question 14:

What’s been the best part of this experience for you so far?

The day I published Kingston’s Project, my daughter came home from school and I told her the exciting news. She said to me, “I want to write and publish my own book. Will you help me?” She started working on it that night after homework. I love that I’ve inspired her. Oh, another cool moment was when she came home one day and said, “I sold a book for you today, Mommy!” She had told her teacher all about it. It doesn’t matter if her teacher ended up buying it or not—I was just happy that she was so proud of me that she was talking about it at school! She’s my world and it’s important for me to provide her with positive influences.

Question 15:

Have you planned a second book and what’s it about?

I’m almost through the first draft of my second manuscript. What’s it about… well, it’s called Kingston’s Promise so I’ll let you guess 🙂

I’ve also started my third book. Sorry, it will not be about the Kingstons. It’s quite different actually, and I’m very excited about it.