This is a 2019 interview from a publishing platform for e-books. (My books are also available in Print on Amazon).

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

Two things—the actual writing, which is sort of compulsory, and getting feedback from readers. Writers write to be read, unless you’re writing deep dark secrets in your diary! Although negative feedback isn’t as pleasant as positive, it can be very constructive. I’ve benefited from a few less than cheery reviews by rethinking and revisiting some things. I want readers to not just like my books but to get something out of them, even if it’s just a small sense of encouragement or some historical tidbit. I can honestly say I’ve gotten “something” out of every book I’ve ever read, even if it was a determination not to read that kind of book again!

What do your readers mean to you?

They are the inspiration for my continuing to write and publish. I feel a sense of unity with them, I love them!

When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?

I do a lot of research, and I like that so much I probably spend way too much time on it when I should be writing. But research can give you ideas, too. I like to watch old movies and television shows, like I Love Lucy and the Raymond Burr version of Perry Mason.

Do you remember the first stories you ever wrote?

I wrote a lot of things by hand until I was in high school and learned how to type (on a typewriter, not a keyboard)! There was one about being the daughter of a Hollywood actor (which I’m not), a Biblical short story, one about a vampire that borrowed heavily from the old series, Dark Shadows, and one about a haunted house that borrowed heavily from the 1960’s movie, The Haunting. I suppose we learn by imitating others but I should hope by now I have developed my own style and ideas. Although I’m not so sure there are any new plots these days, just imaginative retellings of old ones.

What is your writing process?

I either get a character in my head that I must bring to life, or I become interested in a time period and create characters to live in it. The plot usually comes after character development and, as I’ve mentioned, much research. I may start with a very broad outline, and I’ll begin to outline each chapter in detail just before I get to it--not necessarily in order. I find it surprisingly difficult to write sequels, which is why my hat is off to Jerry Jenkins and J. K. Rowling. However, Woman of Sin was meant to be a series so I did manage to complete two sequels. Readers might be surprised to learn that the first draft was started in 1977 and completed a year later. It has been through MANY revisions since then, under a myriad of different titles.

Do you remember the first story you ever read and the impact it had on you?

They were fairy tales and other classic stories from books my mother read to my brother and me. When I could read I remember the Golden Classics like Little Red Riding Hood. There was something about her having to tidy the house before she went skipping off into the woods and I asked my mother what “tidy” meant. They all had a huge impact because they excited my imagination and made me want to read more and to write my own stories. If you want to write—read, read, read!

What do you read for pleasure?

Romantic suspense, historical fiction, or a combination of both. Which is also what I write. And I enjoy reading Christian/inspirational nonfiction.

Describe your desk.

Full of books and papers, but organized. I can’t think in clutter. I’m very thankful for my computer and that we don’t have to use typewriters with ribbons and carbon paper anymore!

Where did you grow up, and how did that influence your writing?

I live in the suburbs of a small city now, but I grew up in Memphis and have very fond memories of that time (although it’s changed a lot since then). Living in a large city exposes you to different sights and sounds and opportunities. I remember riding my bicycle all around the neighborhood, and quite some distance to the local library. When I got my driver’s license I was literally all over the city, to the different shopping malls and theaters and restaurants. A portion of my book, "Place of Peace” is set in Memphis, and I used my knowledge of the city in writing it. It’s more than just a knowledge, though—it’s a feeling and an atmosphere that instills itself in you when you live in a place for a long time.

What’s the story behind your latest book?

Unholy came about as a result of my interest in the supernatural themes of the Bible, which is literally full of the supernatural from Genesis to Revelation. Also I was ready to try something different and take a short break from historicals. It’s Book One in what I hope to become a series of three. To read more about it, click here.

Additional interview questions, 2024:

Since you enjoy teaching as well as writing, can you state some qualifications readers might like to know?

I don’t have a degree, but when I worked for several years as a Human Resources Specialist in a department of the federal government I learned that qualifications for jobs could be based on three things: education, experience, or a combination of both. In order to qualify for a position at my grade level a candidate would need to have a Ph.D. I didn’t have one, but I had a lot of experience that made me qualify for the job. That’s the way I look at teaching Bible studies. I have over forty years of teaching experience and a huge collection of references and resources. I also know from working in HR that experience can often be more valuable than education alone. Not to imply that education isn’t as important or that people don’t work very hard for their degrees, which I’m sure they do!

What specific kind of teaching do you like to do?

Bible book studies, topical studies including controversial subjects like abortion and the mention of giants in the Bible, studies of angels and demons, and the discussion of fringe subjects like UFOs, or of any subject submitted to me by a reader.

Do you recommend books or online references to readers?

Any recommended reading would be from a source that I believe would be one of accuracy and integrity, but with the caveat that readers shouldn’t accept just one person’s interpretation as fact but read and study the Bible

Could you describe your own faith journey…

I became a Christian as a child, but with a limited understanding of what it all meant. My spiritual growth didn’t really begin until I was in my late teens and early twenties, when I started reading a lot of inspirational books and listening to the preaching of Dr. Adrian Rogers, a minister very deep into the Bible.

A desire began to grow to write something inspirational, and I believed my faith could be shared by placing it into the lives of fictional characters. I wanted to present truths from the Bible in a way that is entertaining and interesting and draws the reader in.

Through strife and strain and stress, God has been with me. I feel blessed to have been able, with His help, to write these books. My hope is that to every reader they will bring an encouraging word, an inspirational thought, or some good thing!