What can you tell us about your new release, Dreamlight? It is a product of two decades of story development and waiting for my writing skills to catch up with the tale that I needed to tell. This stand alone book could be read in two ways: as an enjoyable adventure or as a deeper, symbolic look at life. What or who inspired you to become an author? I have always been a storyteller, but the leap to writing a full length novel was made only recently. The forced scheduling quiet of 2020 gave me the space and time to write what was already a beautiful journey in my mind. I would say the main inspiration came from the love of my Savior, but I am also surrounded by a friend group that are very talented in writing including: Janeen Ippolito and Sarah Delena White. What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read? “Sabriel” by Garth Nix is my number one always. This is the book that started my love of fantasy, a love that has led me to read hundreds of books over the years. “Green Rider” by Kristen Britain is a close second, her other books are a mix of good and bad (so many cliffhangers), but this book is great all on its own. “Daughter of the Forest” by Juliet Marillier is number three, the way she builds a world is lovely and warm. “The Raging Quiet” by Sherryl Jordan claims the fourth spot with a gentle but harrowing story of unlikely love. Lastly, but certainly not least, is “Halayda” by Sarah Delena White. This book is a very creative take on the fairy universe and kept me up late into the night reading several times. Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask? My first guest would be Garth Nix of course! I have never met this wonderful Australian author and would love to ask him about his worldbuilding process. He has some of the most complete pieces of worldbuilding that I have ever read. Tell me your secrets, Mr. Nix! What’s your favorite thing about writing? Sharing. I am close friends with my stories and long to share the beauty and color within them with others. When I read other author’s books, they get to share a little piece of themselves with me. I am honored that I am allowed a view into their personal world. I long to share with my readers a little piece of my hope. Hope that may be a light to them in darkness. What is a typical day like for you? I wake between 5am and 6am, have some avocado toast, and get to work. I work part-time at home for my family’s small business. When I am writing, I take an hour or two to write in the silence or with ambient music/noise. At 7:30am I kiss my husband and send him off to work. Then at 8am my three children, ages 6, 4, and 2, thunder down the stairs to brighten my morning with chaos. I also watch my cousin’s 3 year old 4 days a week. To say that my house is loud is an understatement. After a day of teaching homeschool, cooking, and keeping the children alive, I take some time for myself in the evenings to finish any chores/work that I was unable to finish in the morning. IF I have time before I turn into a pumpkin at 9:30pm, I may paint, draw, or make jewelry. Why do I write/create in the middle of this craziness? I can’t help myself. If I do not do something creative everyday, I shrivel into a raisin. What scene from Dreamlight was your favorite to write? Hmmm… How do I write this without spoilers? The story includes 3 songs (Did I mention that I am a worship leader and have a Bachelor’s in Music Education?). The second song is a song of parting. I cried every time I got to this scene. I cried the first time I wrote it. I cried every time I edited it. The yearning in the words resonated in my heart. Though it is the second song in the book, it was the first one that I wrote for it. It has been in the manuscript from the first draft. I learned to play the 10 string lyre inorder to play it properly (I couldn’t find a good “psaltery” instrument). I hope to share the song in a performance in May via my YouTube Channel: Sunset Valley Creations, but I wanted people to read “Dreamlight” first. Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by? Live with no regrets. The love of my Lord and Savior got me through the craziness of 2020. The impression that I was left with was that life is not certain. Though I had understood this rationally, it was never more real than when I was faced with a world of such uncertainty. I implore you, do not leave your life to chance. If a fire burns within you to create something, do it. If you love someone deeply, tell them. If you long to achieve a goal, reach for it. Life is too short to live with regrets.
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