Q: First tell us something about yourself.
I grew up in Napa, California, raising a family with a now grown son and daughter who are my rocks. My life partner of 13 years is my best critic as he is always willing to share constructive criticism in regards to my writing (when requested of course). Lol I worked in law enforcement for several years – later being offered a full-time position at my local district attorney’s office. While the pay was great, I always felt there was something missing. The wine industry in Napa was booming and the population grew to immense numbers with wineries being the staple point, wine bars on every corner and the tourists were more catered to than the locals. I started to miss the old small town Napa I grew up in and needed to make some changes in my life for this and other health-related reasons.I moved from Napa to a quaint country town in Lake County, up in the mountains, high above Napa. I spend endless hours in my writing cave (which overlooks the lake),especially during this unfortunate pandemic.Here, in my writing cave, I create my stories (both novels and children’s books), editing,formatting and marketing each book after endless hours of author forums, webinars and zoom meetings in order to improve my niche.
I also ghostwrite, format and market books for others, treating each story as my own. My latest venture has been to create a Book Marketing Plan for future authors, which provides everything they would need from the beginning stages of the process to the end. Between writing projects and marketing, I am a criminal court reporter for my local newspaper. While I enjoy keeping my local community versed on the crime in my county, I am blessed to balance my brain with the lighthearted stories from within my heart along with stories forwarded to me for edits and formatting.
Life is good.I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am grateful for all of your support!
Q: How and when your journey started as a writer?
From the time I was 7 years old, I had always wanted to be an author. I would write stories about animals and nature, tape the pages together and share my stories with anyone that was kind enough to listen. But life got in the way, there were bills to pay and being a dedicated mom required most of my time.
So, becoming an author was put on the back burner for decades. I was fine with that as
I was blessed with two wonderful kids and a life filled with lessons, which I prefer to call stepping stones.I continued to write and my writings were published in symposiums and magazines.
Q: When did you write your first story? Is it published or not?
I have been writing stories since I was 7 years old, later with published poetry in my high school symposium and articles in magazines throughout my twenties and thirties.My first published book was in 2015, when I was hired by the daughter of a real-life mobster. She provided true crime documents and details of her father’s life of crime during the 1970s.Her father has since passed but there was some concern from the old-timers in the mob who were not as thrilled about the true-life details, so we eventually (out of safety) pulled the book. My next published book was co-written with Michael Jackson’s friend and manager of his Neverland Amusement Park – Behind the Gates of Neverland, Conversations with Michael Jackson. The book is still selling well on Amazon. I have since published five additional books, including the formatting and marketing.
Q: Tell us something more about your books.
When it comes to my books, I prefer to write about positive change.
When I am hired to ghostwrite books, I am introduced with multi-genre topics, which I love as it changes the tone with my writing. This creates a fruitful and new experience that never leaves me bored. Monotony does not exist when you are a multi-genre author. Ghostwriting is rewarding to me as I love to hear and see the excitement from my clients when they have become a first-time published author. #Grateful
Q: Why do you choose kids as your reader? Is there any specific reason?
I am a criminal court report for my local newspaper, covering murder trials and other felony cases. I needed to find a sense of peace, a sense of balance in my brain and writing children’s stories brings forth an innocence and level of peace and hope. My life of writing is a balance of reality and fantasy by choice.
Q: How did these stories and characters come to your mind?
My inspiration for the Bubbly Jock Jack book series arose from the wild turkeys that roam the neighborhoods of my country town. The characters in Bubbly Jock Jack and the Thanksgiving Fallacy are mostly my family. I designed face masks for each of my family members and let Zazzle work their magic.
During this pandemic each family member has a customized face mask from the
illustrations within the book. Anyone interested can purchase their own BubblyJock Jack face mask, t-shirt, stickers and more at the Bubbly Jock Jack Store.
Q: Do you want to give any message for your readers?
Do not EVER doubt yourself! Keep moving forward and be persistent.
Continue to read and fill your brain with positive thoughts, learn as much as you can in this life, while allowing a mystery or fantasy book to take you away.
All authors had to start at the beginning and if I can do it, you can do it. I am always open to questions and helping new authors along the way (especially children).
