Frequently Asked Questions | Chickens in the Road

Welcome to my FAQs page! Here you’ll find a variety of questions from readers with answers from me.

Note: I’m still (and always) a writer and I’m still writing, but I’m no longer writing romance novels. Why? The answer is here.

Q: If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?
A: A cat.

Q: Have you had any input on what your covers look like and how do they come up with them?
A: I did have some input, but I don’t know how they really come up with them. Getting a good cover involves some ritualistic candle-lighting, chanting, dancing at midnight beneath a full moon….. (I’m just kidding. I think.) I wrote a post about my romance novel covers once: Meanwhile, Back at the Spanish Castillo.

Q: How has your career as a writer changed your life?
A: I’ve been a fulltime writer most of my adult life, so I’m not sure how to say it has changed my life. I’ve always been a writer and always wanted to be one. It’s the best job in the world.

Q: What are your most favorite and least favorite parts of being a writer?
A: Most favorite is definitely the freedom to work from home. Least favorite would probably be the lack of a regular income. Little known factoid: most writers are poor.

Q: I listened to one of your workshops on tape (or I heard about one of your workshops from a friend). Can you send me the handouts?
A:I can’t send handouts either through the mail or through attachments, and I’m no longer offering romance writing workshops.

Q: How many cats do you have?
A:Nine. Right now. This answer could change at any time.

(Pictured here, from left to right: Smoky, Spice, Purrsian.)

Q: Have any of your books been translated into other languages?
A: Yes, my books have been published all over the world and in numerous other languages. You can see some of my foreign bookcovers here.

(Pictured: My daughter, Morgan.)

Q: Is there anything in your writing you’d like to explore–different genre, specific situations, etc?
A:I’ve written short and long contemporaries, sexy books, romantic comedy, family and relationship stories, traditional romance, paranormal and romantic suspense, and even done a trilogy of medievals. I’ve explored quite a bit of the romance genre and I feel finished there–but…. I’m toying with the idea of writing a cookbook. Maybe some children’s books based on my farm. You never know! I love to try new things.

Q: Does your environment influence your creativity and writing?
A:Absolutely. My home is West Virginia now, and my last romance series, Haven, was set in the rural West Virginia mountains where I live. I’ve often set my books where I have lived or travelled. My current work for the newspaper and for my blog are completely inspired by this beautiful state.

I love digital photography and often post pictures of my surroundings on my blog as well as on my photoblog.

(Pictured here: The New River from Hawk’s Nest State Park.)

Q: How did you develop your characters for your books–their personalities, names, backgrounds, etc? Did your books come from characters you developed or did your characters come from a plot line you were considering?
A:Usually, I came up with a story idea, then I worked from there to develop the characters, developing the faults and strengths that would play best in the plot. I love naming characters, finding just the right name, and often used The Character Naming Sourcebook by Sherrilyn Kenyon as a resource.

Q: What is your all-time favorite book?
A:ONE?? Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, The Hobbit (and the Lord of the Ring series) by J.R.R. Tolkien, A Rose in Winter by Kathleen Woodiwiss…. I could go on and ON.

Q: Do you read other authors’ manuscripts before they are published?
A:I don’t judge writing contests or provide critiques.

(Pictured left: Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park.)

Q: What book of yours would you most like to see made into a movie, and who would you want to play the hero and heroine?
A:I want them all made into movies! But, okay, if I must choose one…. The Beast Within. I’d want Meg Ryan to play Paige, and Josh Holloway to play Kieran. Wow, wouldn’t that be fun?

Q: Where do you get your ideas?
A:Nora Roberts gave a talk one time at RWA where she was asked this question and she said something along the lines of–if I told you where I get my ideas, you’d go there! I thought that was hilarious. My real answer: everywhere–research books, movies, documentaries, the news, life around me, etc. Ideas are the easy part.

Q: From all the books you’ve written, which one is your favorite?
A:Pick one?! That would be like choosing my favorite child.

Q: Did you take any writing courses before writing your first published book?
A:I have a degree in English, with a minor in history, from Texas Tech University, where my coursework included creative writing and journalism.

Q: How do you balance your time with family and being a writer? Do your kids cooperate or do things seem to go crazy at home when a deadline looms?
A:I try to schedule writing time during school hours. I have three children who are active and involved in various sports activities. Life is busy! Sometimes things go a little crazy around deadline time, yes. My children know how to make sandwiches if dinner is looking unlikely.

(Pictured: My middle child, Weston.)

Q: What advice would you give to unpublished authors?
A:Write!! Read! Study the market! Join Romance Writers of America.

Q:What kind of books do you read? Who are your favorite authors? What books are on your keeper shelf?
A:I read everything. Romantic comedies, romantic suspense, paranormal, historicals (all periods–but medieval is my fave), and I also love to read non-romantic suspense and mysteries, magazines, cereal boxes, anything! Name my favorite authors? Is that a trick question? I have too many author friends to try to name all my favorites, but I do admit to being a huge Nora fan!

Q: Are you a cup half full or cup half empty person in your everyday life? Which cup do you see most often?
A:I like to keep a positive outlook! Life is good!

(Pictured: Scenic West Virginia.)

Q: What do you think of self-publishing?
A:I really don’t know enough about self-publishing to give any advice on the subject.

Q: Do you have a writing good luck charm?
A:Yes, I do, and you can’t have it. It is a tightly-held secret I will take to my grave.

Q: How did you become a writer and when did you know you wanted to be one?
A:I can remember wanting to be a writer when I was five. I discovered Harlequin Romances when I was 12 and decided then that I would write romance. After college, I worked as a journalist. I sold my first book when I was 28. I’ve always been a writer.
(Pictured: My oldest son, Ross.)

Q: Where do you get your hair done?
A: That, too, is a tightly-held secret.

Q: What is something about you that we would be surprised to know?
A:I’m shy.

Q: How many romance novels did you have published?

A: 26.

Q: What are you writing now?
A: I write a country living column for the Charleston Daily Mail. You can read my recent columns here. I also write every day here at Chickens in the Road.
Love,