Rowlett High School Author Interview:
What is your inspiration to write?
I’ve loved writing since I was a little girl, but I’m inspired to write the Sydney’s Vampire Diary series by the teens I’ve known who’ve been a victim of teen dating violence. I am also inspired by the thought that my books may help a teen to avoid or get out of an abusive relationship. Or that they may help a parent start a dialogue about teen dating violence, self-esteem or boundaries in relationships.
What made you want to write these books?
A few years ago, I read the Twilight series and realized that someone needed to write a book about the “real” vampires that teens would meet in high school. When I looked up “vampire” in the dictionary and discovered that the second definition is “a predatory person who preys on others for emotional gain,” I knew I was on to something.
Are you a fan of vampire books and if so, what book got you into it?
Yes, I am a fan. In high school I fell in love with Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice and later the Twilight series.
How did you end up picking your book’s title?
For years my best friend kept encouraging me to write a book, so when I became inspired by the Twilight series and needed a name for the central character, I knew immediately that I wanted to use her high school nickname, Sydney.
What is your favorite part of your book?
My favorite part would be all the strange lists that Sydney makes to try to have some semblance of control in her crazy life. They are hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking. I also love the fact that all the books have Reader’s Guides in the back to help start a dialogue about the serious issues in the books such suicide, teen dating violence, underage drinking, etc.
What is your suggestion for amateur writers who want to start a novel?
Just start writing every chance you get. Keep a journal with you at all times so that you can write down ideas. Try to get a literary agent and/or publisher, but if you don’t, then do it yourself!!! You can get your books on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com for FREE through createspace.com. Create your own website for free on weebly.com and Facebook. Never give up on your dream! It took me twenty years to publish my first book but I dreamed about it everyday.
Do you have a favorite book in your series?
The first three books out of four are available and since the last is a “work in progress,” I don’t really know yet. But I have a feeling Book 4 will be my favorite because we finally find out what happens to Sydney. Does she sell her soul and end up with a vampire or does she walk into the light? Just wait and see...
Do you have other stories to write about in mind?
Before I began the S.V.D. series, I wrote the first book in The Boneyard Brothers Mysteries series. Reminiscent of the Hardy Boys, it follows two brothers, Trevor & Tristan, as they use their great-grandmother’s magical coffin key solve spiritual mysteries of time travelers in the graveyard.
The key opens a portal just before the deaths of different children. The brothers (who are totally inspired by my two sons who also happened to be named Trevor and Tristan) have to either figure out how to prevent the child’s death OR help them to understand their death and move on to heaven.
There is an overall mystery throughout the series of what happened to the other two keys belonging to the Cemetery Sisters and why a strange man keeps following the brothers.
I really want to return to this series when I finish the S.V.D. series. I take notes every day by writing down all the entertaining, inspiring and thought provoking things my sons say.
Do you have a favorite book?
Yes, I love A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. He posthumously won the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The characters are so colorful and it makes me laugh. I can read it over and over again and find something new and hilarious each time.
Do you have a favorite series of books?
I really love Harry Potter books and sharing them with my young sons brings me so much happiness. There are so many incredible themes throughout the series and I love watching my boys discovery processes. I love the books more than the movies, and yet I absolutely adore the movies, special effects and acting.
What is your favorite part about being an author?
When someone tells me they loved my books and that the books helped them. Recently, a sophomore girl told me that my books helped her to realize that she was in a relationship with a vampire and reading Sydney’s story gave her the courage to ask her mom to help her get out of the relationship. Just knowing that one less teen will be victimized because of my words is an indescribable feeling.
Did you ever have writer’s block? If so, how did you write through it?
I only write when I am inspired and I set my own deadlines so I rarely have writer’s block. Sometimes I don’t want to write a scene that is particularly violent or painful, so I wait until I’m in the right state of mind to handle the sensitive material.
What to you do instead of writing all the time?
During the day I am a high school Speech, Debate & Competitive Acting Coach. Since 1997, I have been directing plays with adults to raise money for charity through my theatre company, Actors Anonymous.
In the summers I direct musicals with children with my best friend, Cindy. We also organize Vacation Bible School at our church.
I have been blessed for the past 12 years to have the opportunity to teach and direct musicals for Special Needs adults at the Granville Arts Center.
www.thedramaqueens.com
When not coaching or directing theatre, I spend as much time as possible with my husband Derek and my two amazing, smart, funny, talented boys, Trevor & Tristan. Well, I am their mother after all...
What is your inspiration to write?
I’ve loved writing since I was a little girl, but I’m inspired to write the Sydney’s Vampire Diary series by the teens I’ve known who’ve been a victim of teen dating violence. I am also inspired by the thought that my books may help a teen to avoid or get out of an abusive relationship. Or that they may help a parent start a dialogue about teen dating violence, self-esteem or boundaries in relationships.
What made you want to write these books?
A few years ago, I read the Twilight series and realized that someone needed to write a book about the “real” vampires that teens would meet in high school. When I looked up “vampire” in the dictionary and discovered that the second definition is “a predatory person who preys on others for emotional gain,” I knew I was on to something.
Are you a fan of vampire books and if so, what book got you into it?
Yes, I am a fan. In high school I fell in love with Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice and later the Twilight series.
How did you end up picking your book’s title?
For years my best friend kept encouraging me to write a book, so when I became inspired by the Twilight series and needed a name for the central character, I knew immediately that I wanted to use her high school nickname, Sydney.
What is your favorite part of your book?
My favorite part would be all the strange lists that Sydney makes to try to have some semblance of control in her crazy life. They are hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking. I also love the fact that all the books have Reader’s Guides in the back to help start a dialogue about the serious issues in the books such suicide, teen dating violence, underage drinking, etc.
What is your suggestion for amateur writers who want to start a novel?
Just start writing every chance you get. Keep a journal with you at all times so that you can write down ideas. Try to get a literary agent and/or publisher, but if you don’t, then do it yourself!!! You can get your books on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com for FREE through createspace.com. Create your own website for free on weebly.com and Facebook. Never give up on your dream! It took me twenty years to publish my first book but I dreamed about it everyday.
Do you have a favorite book in your series?
The first three books out of four are available and since the last is a “work in progress,” I don’t really know yet. But I have a feeling Book 4 will be my favorite because we finally find out what happens to Sydney. Does she sell her soul and end up with a vampire or does she walk into the light? Just wait and see...
Do you have other stories to write about in mind?
Before I began the S.V.D. series, I wrote the first book in The Boneyard Brothers Mysteries series. Reminiscent of the Hardy Boys, it follows two brothers, Trevor & Tristan, as they use their great-grandmother’s magical coffin key solve spiritual mysteries of time travelers in the graveyard.
The key opens a portal just before the deaths of different children. The brothers (who are totally inspired by my two sons who also happened to be named Trevor and Tristan) have to either figure out how to prevent the child’s death OR help them to understand their death and move on to heaven.
There is an overall mystery throughout the series of what happened to the other two keys belonging to the Cemetery Sisters and why a strange man keeps following the brothers.
I really want to return to this series when I finish the S.V.D. series. I take notes every day by writing down all the entertaining, inspiring and thought provoking things my sons say.
Do you have a favorite book?
Yes, I love A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. He posthumously won the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The characters are so colorful and it makes me laugh. I can read it over and over again and find something new and hilarious each time.
Do you have a favorite series of books?
I really love Harry Potter books and sharing them with my young sons brings me so much happiness. There are so many incredible themes throughout the series and I love watching my boys discovery processes. I love the books more than the movies, and yet I absolutely adore the movies, special effects and acting.
What is your favorite part about being an author?
When someone tells me they loved my books and that the books helped them. Recently, a sophomore girl told me that my books helped her to realize that she was in a relationship with a vampire and reading Sydney’s story gave her the courage to ask her mom to help her get out of the relationship. Just knowing that one less teen will be victimized because of my words is an indescribable feeling.
Did you ever have writer’s block? If so, how did you write through it?
I only write when I am inspired and I set my own deadlines so I rarely have writer’s block. Sometimes I don’t want to write a scene that is particularly violent or painful, so I wait until I’m in the right state of mind to handle the sensitive material.
What to you do instead of writing all the time?
During the day I am a high school Speech, Debate & Competitive Acting Coach. Since 1997, I have been directing plays with adults to raise money for charity through my theatre company, Actors Anonymous.
In the summers I direct musicals with children with my best friend, Cindy. We also organize Vacation Bible School at our church.
I have been blessed for the past 12 years to have the opportunity to teach and direct musicals for Special Needs adults at the Granville Arts Center.
www.thedramaqueens.com
When not coaching or directing theatre, I spend as much time as possible with my husband Derek and my two amazing, smart, funny, talented boys, Trevor & Tristan. Well, I am their mother after all...
