Q & A
Do I need to read The Heir and the Spare and Everyday Magic in order?
No. The novels definitely have some overlap, but they can certainly be read as standalones. While reading them in order may enhance the experience, it's definitely not necessary.
Where did you get the idea for The Heir and the Spare?
The idea came to me when Prince William married Kate Middleton. All the craziness and press coverage surrounding their special day made me wonder about Harry and how his life might differ from his brother's. With that as a seed everything else just fell into place.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
A little bit of both, I guess you could say. I start by doing a detailed outline, but it never fails, the characters end up deviating from it once I get going. Sometimes I’ll re-outline the new path it’s taking, but more often than not I just go with it and make sure I hit the major plot points that’ll get me to the end I’m envisioning in my mind.
What are you working on now?
I'm busy working on my next novel, which is a contemporary YA retelling of Jane Austen's Emma. It may never hit shelves, but I'm having a lot of fun writing it. :D
Do you require silence when writing or background noise?
It depends on my mood. There are some days where I’ll flip on the TV for some background noise. Other days I’ll have instrumental music playing. I do find it difficult to write to music with lyrics because I usually end up singing along, but I have done it, just not super successfully. Usually, I opt for silence.
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Please note: Regrettably, I am unable to read manuscripts, queries, or give writing advice outside of what I’ve posted on my website or shared in another public forum. Thank you for understanding.