Where are you from? Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m originally from a small lumber and fishing town in Northern California, but have lived in Santa Cruz (south of San Francisco, on the coast) for about 40 years now.
In addition to writing, I’ve worked in health care at hospice, in mental health, at hospitals, clinics, my office & overseas with survivor’s of trauma.
Tell us about your book? How did it get started?
I wondered what it would be like if, suddenly, your parents’ told you that you were the last in line of a famous spiritual teacher and you had to have a baby to carry on the bloodline. Would you believe it? If it was true, would it really matter? The rest of the stories characters, plot and circumstances evolved from their.
How do you create your characters?
My characters begin with their personality. What makes them tick? How do they act, react, think and feel, about themselves and those around them. Then the physical characteristics and relational connections are created.
What inspires and what got your started in writing?
I first began writing an alternative newspaper in high school, which I was inspired to do in order to bring light onto subjects, and issues that were being ignored or unseen. It is this same desire, to broaden people’s understanding, views and perceptions, of situations and people, that continues to inspire my fiction and nonfiction writing.
Where do you write? Is there something you need in order to write (music, drinks?)
I write in a small office, that is conveniently connected to the kitchen, and looks outside onto a redwood tree. When I write fiction, I start by sitting in the back yard and writing the story by longhand. If I have on music, it must be without words, so I’m not distracted. Of course, you can never have too much dark chocolate as your companion while writing (or at any other time).
How do you get your ideas for writing?
Most of my ideas germinate from something someone said, a film I watched, or from a book I’ve read. Different combinations of stories, and unique twists, often appear while I’m sitting gazing at the garden.
What do you like to read?
My reading habits have completely reversed in the last 10 years. It used to be that nonfiction was all I would read and write (predominately). Then, some switch went on and everything switched. Now, I read primarily fiction and very little nonfiction. As far as what genre of fiction, it’s pretty eclectic.
What would your advice to be for authors or aspiring in regards to writing?
Write and read every day. Have someone you trust to be honest (and a good editor) give you feedback and edits with everything you write. And, definitely take a break from what you are writing, let it simmer, and then come back to it a few weeks later.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Some people find writing to be a grind and publicizing their work to be the pits. Luckily, I enjoy the process of writing, editing and getting the word out about a book, story or article. Writing is one way of externalizing the inner life and connecting with others. From my perspective, it is a wondrous journey.