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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?

There are a lot of threads in this particular tapestry, but the most prominent color would be “consequences.” What if you had the capacity to change one thing—what would it be? End world hunger? Cure all diseases? End war? What if you could say only one word? What would that be?

The majority of the characters in Time & Again are wizards, using magick on a daily basis. Change is at their fingertips and on the tips of their tongues—more than anyone else, they can have an impact on the world. What impact will that be? And what consequences will that allow?

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?

That’s a tough one. For the main character, Kitt Marlow, it’d probably be between “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce and “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I read science fiction primarily. I tend to write fantasy, but within a science fiction mode. For example, in “Time & Again,” the primary antagonists are wizards whose vector is science/technology—they don’t cast spells, they have subroutines. They don’t scry, they scan. They are using the same magick as their more arcane brethren… or are they?

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Gideon the Ninth, Choose Your Enemies (Ciaphas Cain).

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The revelation: the scene where the main character figures things out. It’s fun peppering all the pieces through the narrative, but the moment when she puts all (most?) of them together in a satisfactory way, it can be the most challenging, but as it’s the scene around which the narrative pivots, it needs to be done right. The book isn’t complete without a good dose of revelation.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Nothing really… I do prefer to write late night/early morning, in search of that 3 a.m. miracle.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

I’ve long held that, should I ever write an autobiography (if I am ever deserving of one), then it would be called “You don’t know you’ve a hole in your shoe until it rains.” What does that mean? (What do I take it to mean?) Still trying to figure that out. Something to do with soldiering on no matter the adversity… occasionally with damp socks.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

This might be a little audacious, but… when people I know walked out of The Matrix back in 1999, normal folks with no formal understanding of philosophy or metaphysics—they stood outside of that cinema and discussed deep topics of personhood, free will, and the nature of reality. If this book invokes those sorts of thoughts in my readers, I’ll take that as a privilege and a point of pride.

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?

When I was in college, some spirit possessed me to take a Jane Austen course, and I decided to put together the world that is the Land of Dreams. It was inspired by that class, funnily enough. I crafted many stories in that world, with a legion of characters to live in this ironically named place. Rich in history, morally gray, and dark—all the things Jane Austen isn’t—this world is. The chief protagonist in The Fall of Two Houses was created as part of a larger work, completely separated from the themes you will find in this. I may have also been inspired by some sibling-based video games.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?

Keneira: Never Back Down
Crushma: Another One Bites the Dust

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I generally like to read fantasy fiction that has about the same tone as mine. I love Abercrombie and Fletcher, just to name a few. I do read sci-fi from time to time, but in order for me to enjoy it, the science can’t be too rigid. I read Nicola Griffith’s Ammonite in college, and since the science behind it was rather fantastical, I ended up picking the whole thing apart because it wasn’t scientifically viable. I can appreciate what she tried to do, but nevertheless, in my humble opinion, she failed.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Let’s see. I’m reading The Three-Body Problem right now. There are a number of other books I haven’t read. I recently did some housecleaning and put a metric ton of books in a donate pile to clear some space. I can’t think of the title of one book that is on my TBR pile right now, but it is an Amish romance story. Honestly, I don’t even know what it’s about aside from the usual expected tropes, but the niche subject matter appealed to me for some reason. I discovered this genre by happenstance, and I already have five books to take home with me from the bookstore. So, I drove to that bookstore the following year, and between my five cousins and me, we found the Amish romance section of the store—it only took us two hours!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Hmm, it’s hard to say what my favorite was. Some parts felt more like a chore than I would have preferred, but when you have children, are there moments that are less favorable than others? Regrettably, yes—but it’s part of life, and we all must accept that. If I had to pick one, it was crafting Crushma’s early personality. Well, you’ll have to read it.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Not particularly, no. I have been in a lull as of late, but I do tend to write quite quickly—nothing out of the ordinary. Before work, after work, anytime I can get an hour of dedicated silence.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

You can't choose what happens to you, but you can choose how to respond to it.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

How would you feel if you had to choose between your own comfort and the livelihood of a loved one? Could you make the difficult decision?

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?

The strange events documented at Skinwalker Ranch in Utah were the inspiration.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?

“Aqualung” – Jethro Tull (1971)
“Time” – Pink Floyd (1973)
“Don’t Fear the Reaper” – Blue Öyster Cult (1976)

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Science fiction and fantasy. I cannot write in fantasy for some reason.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The scene about the dire wolf.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Life isn't fair.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

There are weird things on this planet.