Three Fun Facts

1. I’m the mother of two boys, who are my life.

2. I’m a Texan who is originally and forever will be, in heart, a Mississippian.

3. I enjoy ice cream and snow cones during the winter.

How long have you been writing?

As a young girl, my grandmother took my sister and me to the library every week, especially during the summer breaks, and we were made to check out books and read them daily, children’s books that interested us. With the early foundation of experiencing how the imagination meets the page, I have been writing since I was a teenager. I started out writing poetry as a pastime. I would write in the diaries my mother bought for me and on a typewriter she provided me for Christmas. Those memorable experiences tied the knot for me between literacy, literature, and writing.

What is your number one advice for aspiring writers?

Learn structure, then write. Almost everything in life has or needs structure. Also, read and learn as much as you can. Write every day to better your craft, and remember that editing is a key component. So, don’t skip out on it. There is no easy process. Yes, you can just write something and run with what you have, but it probably won’t be the best of your potential.

What helps you to come up with ideas for writing?

My creative ideas come to me mostly when the space I’m in is quiet, and I can think. That may be when everyone in the house is asleep, sitting in the library, or when I’m driving with no music or radio on, especially if I’m driving long distance. I may go for a walk and have to stop in the middle of a thought to type it in my notes on my iPhone so I won’t forget it. However, I’ve read and listened to different stories of how others come up with varying ideas. Everyone is wired differently. You have to find what works best for you.

What is your favorite passtime?

I love family, and sometimes that means traveling to family. I enjoy curling up on the couch with a glass of sweet tea to either read a great book or watch a great movie or series with my family. I also love art and creativity. For me, that can range from replicas in a history museum, murals, a stage play, to the way authors can make characters play in my head. All of those, in some way, tell a story. If any type of art can make me think on a deeper level, I’m a fan.