What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write He Saw Me First?
I was talking to my friend Emmy about her story with her husband which will be in book 3 of this series. It fascinated me. I then began thinking of stories that aren’t cookie cutter, that aren’t the typical romance formula of boy meets girl, they fall in love, they have a problem, they break up, then they come back together and live happily ever after. I love these stories, but I’ve written them. I wanted something deeper with meaning.
I began to think of the journey I’ve gone through. I also am a huge advocate for children. There are so many taken who are never found again. I wanted to shed light on this in a way that would help people who have gone through this. I wanted to show a person who can recover from this dark world. I love this story and love Cass’s journey. I cried, laughed, and cheered as I wrote it. She’s one of my all-time favorite characters.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of He Saw Me First, what would they be?
Ohhhh, this is hard!! First song that came to mind is Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift because Cass has a journey and trust is so tough for her. I’m also obsessed with The Greatest Showman. Seriously obsessed. I’ve watched it at least a dozen times. I think Rewrite the Stars would be quite fitting for them as a couple. And This is Me would be perfect for Cass. I could go on and on. I LOVE music!
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I have several favorites. I only have one I don’t like which is Sci-Fi. Don’t know why, just don’t like space books or movies much. I read every single day. I do all of my reading on audio now. I’m currently listening to Ruth Cardello. I love to read my friends.
My favorite two series of all time are the Jack Reacher Series by Lee Child and The Women’s Murder Club by James Patterson. I’ve listened to both of these series multiple times. I love the cast of characters in both and the situations they find themselves in.
I guess if I had to choose I’d say crime is my fav with romance thrown in. I love that no matter what series or genre there’s always romance. Even in my superhero movies, everything is done for love.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Soooooooo many books!! I did just download the newest Jack Reacher, No Plan B, that I haven’t listened to yet because I got onto Ruth’s series which is long. As soon as I’m done with Ruth’s books, then I will dive into my latest Reacher book.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The Epilogue. It was the funnest epilogue I’ve written. I laughed as I wrote it. I thought I was pretty creative with this one. I can’t say anything about it without giving away a big part of the book.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
Not really. I seriously do have OCD. Not extreme, but I don’t like getting out of my routine. My favorite writing place is my couch. It’s comfy. I have an office that I rarely use. It’s a cluttered mess right now. I need light, lots of light. I never shut my curtains and I have my front door open all of the time. I don’t like closed spaces. If I love a story I’m writing though, I can write from anywhere.
I have to have my coffee with me at all times and my Frenchie sits with me as well. My cats jump up looking for love every once in a while before they’re off again. My husband also passes by me quite often to give me a drive-by-kiss.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Dance Like Nobody’s Watching. I have this quote all over the place. I was a really shy child. I was dirt poor and always felt like I wasn’t good enough. I hate that I ever thought that way. I was afraid to do something to be embarrassed by. Now, I tell myself to always dance as if nobody’s watching. Life’s short and I don’t want to live in fear. I’ll make mistakes and that’s okay. I want to live each day as if it’s my last because as I get older I realize it could be. I love my family, my friends, my animals and my life. I want to enjoy every moment of it.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
That we’re all imperfect. I want them to read this book and see themselves in the characters. Of course it’s fiction, but there are towns that are like this. There are people that will drop everything to be at your side. I want them to know that through our imperfections, we’re great. How boring would the world be if we were all perfect, if we never stumbled?
We don’t remember Christmas because it went off without a hitch, we remember the cat jumping into the tree and knocking it over on the dog who howled, then ran over grandma’s foot, making her spill her wine all over the new carpet. That’s a memory. A perfect day is soon forgotten, but a crazy day is talked about for years to come.
