Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?
When I first looked to publish Ocean’s Gift, what I aspired to most was seeing a stranger on the train reading my book. I’ve hit Amazon Top 100 Bestseller Lists with several of my books, sold thousands of copies…but I haven’t yet seen anyone read it on the train. Admittedly, with the amount of ereaders and ereader software on smartphones, they might have been reading it and I’d never know.
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
I relax best with my camera. Honestly, I swear that’s the best part of any holiday I’ve been on in the last few years – I just love taking photos of everyone and everything. Sometimes I even share them, too.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
I hope they’ll enjoy it – feeling whatever my characters feel and sympathising with them. I’ve had some readers state that they were in tears over something that happened in one of my books and, once I’d gotten over my shock, I realised I’d never received such an incredible compliment before. My work was powerful enough to drive someone to tears. Of course, being me, I felt horribly guilty and wanted to offer them the box of tissues on my desk, but it was amazing to hear that I’m not the only one who cries for my characters.
What color represents your personality the most?
Storm blue – teal with a shading of grey. It’s the colour of my eyes, it’s the shade of the ocean here on a cloudy day, and it’s the predominant colour on the cover of Ocean’s Gift. To me, it represents calm, but with a hint of threat and power – like Sirena, the mermaid from Ocean’s Gift, or the ocean just before a storm.
How do you feel about social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter? Are they a good thing?
I use both Facebook and Twitter, though they took some learning! It’s been amazing, because I can connect with writers and readers all over the world. Watching my Twitter feed is like touching the pulse of a whole planetary population – it absolutely awes me. Yet my tiny tweets are just a drop in that ocean of humanity. It’s good to feel that – insignificant, yet part of something so mind-blowingly huge.
What makes you angry?
Anyone trying to hurt those I love. Apparently, I’m very frightening when I’m angry. I have no idea why.
What’s your most embarrassing moment of your life?
That would be…my wedding day, when I was saying my wedding vows. I had my hands joined with my soon-to-be-husband as I carefully pronounced the rehearsed words from memory, in front of a priest and a church full of my family and friends…and my veil slipped off my head. I managed to get through the words without noticing, but my maid of honour caught the veil just before it hit the floor. With the help of another bridesmaid, they rammed that veil back on my head, digging the comb deep so it would stay on. As everyone waited, I smiled at my soon-to-be husband and the priest and quipped, “Sorry, I guess I’m a bit eager – getting undressed so soon and all.”
What I’d forgotten was that I had a microphone, so everyone could hear me…and the whole church erupted in laughter. It’s not every day you tell your entire extended family you’re thinking about sex while saying your wedding vows…
How do you feel about self-publishing?
It gives me an unprecedented control over my work that I hadn’t thought possible. From pricing to graphics to advertising – it’s all up to me! I get to use my own photographs, my own voice in the ads – and all the contacts I make are personal contacts, as I get to speak to them directly and not through layers of agent, publisher and publicist. It does put more work on my shoulders, managing a book from writing through editing, publication and marketing, but I feel a greater sense of achievement at the end product because I know it’s what I wanted to release.
When you get free time on the internet or you go to the library – what do you want to read about?
I read a lot of science and history online – I have ships’ logs from vessels that were wrecked in the 1600s. For fiction, I prefer science fiction, fantasy or historical fiction – though I’ll read almost anything with a plot that can captivate me.
Do you find the time to read?
I do indeed. I rarely have time for TV, but I’ve found I read more as a writer than ever before. A large part of it is because I’ve discovered so many amazing indie authors and I just want to read all their books.
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Genre - Australian sea adventure,contemporary urban fantasy,paranormal romance
Rating – PG 13
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