fuonlyknew

How would you describe your style of writing to someone who has never read your work?

I like building each scene where it has a life of its own—using the protagonist’s five senses, not just her visuals, but more emphasis on smells and tastes. Adding metaphors to give the reader a sensory ride brings realism into each chapter. 

My books are easy to read with shorter sentences, utilizing words most of us use every day. My chapters always end on a cliffhanger. This assures the reader will want to turn pages to find the answers. Chapters are typically short and direct whenever possible. The Longest Chapter I’ve Written Award goes to A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT. Chapter one is 23 pages in order to introduce the history with the victim and my main character before the murder.

I write complicated mysteries to entice the reader to think about the twists in each book. 

What mindset or routine do you feel the need to set when preparing to write (in general whether you are working on a project or just free writing)?

I’m too regimented to free write. One story at a time, one idea at a time, is my motto. From my thoughts onto 4 x 6 cards to detail out each scene, finally building the cards into complete chapters. I spend a great deal of time thinking about each scene, usually from the opening line, and making notations about what events will happen in the book. To weave a complicated mystery with numerous red herrings, I’ve found this practice works the best to ensure that all potential plot holes are covered. If you’ve read my mysteries, you’ll understand why this process leaves less room for errors.

Do you take your character prep to heart? Do you nurture the growth of each character all the way through to the page? Do you people watch to help with development? Or do you build upon your character during story creation?

Prior to starting a novel, I make a fictitious background and character profile for each individual who makes an appearance in the book. Each person gets a thorough family history and detailed personality including their political beliefs, habits, where they were raised, nationality, and vocation, among other things. I get to know each character a head of time and add more details as I write. Sometimes the characters speak to me if I’ve made a mistake in my calculations of how he/she should act in their roles. I like to layer on personality traits with every appearance they make in the book, but I refer to the Character Profiles often. 

The hardest character to write is the villain, but they are my favorite to develop. Most of my characters have a frustrating side for the reader, which is part of the tension, but only one can truly be the ringleader bad guy in the end. I have to hold back tendencies to write the mustache-twisting guy or gal depicted best from old movies. My villains can be quirky yet likeable; that’s why they are harder to detect for the reader.

The tension between my series characters, Annalisse Drury and Alec Zavos is an ongoing adventure throughout four installments. My standalones, A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT AND LIES TO FOREVER show flawed female main characters who have to deal with the murder of a loved one in the first chapter. You’ll find me inside each of these women.

Do you have a character that you have been working on that you can’t wait to put to paper?

Yes! I find myself drawn to reading time travel fantasy that takes place in the 1800s or possibly the 1700s. (Before modern technology and the distractions we have in our time.) In a past life, I must have lived during this time because it calls to me. That may be why I wrote Annalisse as an antiquities valuator. History intrigues me as much as it does her. At some point, I’d like to write a time travel novel; a standalone perhaps, with the option to add series books. A woman protagonist will reside here too, since I can relate to women’s thoughts much better than getting into a man’s head.

Can you share your next creative project? If yes, can you give a few details?

My new release (March 2026) LIES TO FOREVER, is a suspense thriller that takes place in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Here’s a short description of this book:  

A stalker wants her. After being scammed out of her life savings by a friend, April Manning is left with an eviction notice, a dead boss, and gunshots flying at her. When the victim’s murder weapon appears on her doorstep and childhood horrors follow her, the monster from the snowy Tennessee Appalachian woods has April in the crosshairs.

**In addition, I’m currently outlining another standalone mystery from my past as a California resident. The Northern California Coastline is the focus, and a protagonist in a bad personal relationship in need of an escape rounds out the opening chapters. (Title and book details to be divulged at a later date.)

Thank you for sharing my thoughts with your readers!

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