What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
About two and a half years ago, I had two stories in my normal genre all outlined and researched. I’d developed my characters and sketched out their arcs. I had the opening scenes visualized in my head, but when I sat down at my computer, I couldn’t write one word. Nothing happened—I was frozen. So I switched to the second idea. Again, nothing. Not one word. That had never happened before, and I didn’t know what was wrong. My stories were ready to go. Why couldn’t I write? Then I read an article by Janice Hardy on “writer’s burnout.” What she described was exactly what I was experiencing—writer’s burnout. Her remedy was to write something for fun. “Write something just for yourself outside of your usual genre,” she said. “Don’t write for your editor, the market, or even your readers. Write for yourself.” So I asked myself, what would I write if I were writing just for me?
Ever since I wrote my first book, I wondered what it would be like if the hero of one of my manuscripts came to life and I could actually meet him. So I threw that element into the plot. And I’m fascinated with time travel, so I made that a factor, as well. And so Her Phantom Knight was born.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
My favorite genre is romance, specifically historical romance and time travel romance.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
The books on my TBR pile are: Daughter of Time and Footsteps in Time by Sarah Woodbury; The Legend of SHEBA by Tosca Lee; The Light of The Stars by Jenelle Hovde; Understanding Conflict by Janice Hardy.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Hmm… That’s a hard one, because I had so much fun with the whole book. I have several scenes that are favorites, but I think the one that tops the list is the reunion scene with Jenny and Hugh. There’s so much at stake regarding their relationship in that scene. It’s filled with twenty-first-century societal norms versus fifteenth-century reality. Hugh has just returned with a contingent of knights from a military mission defending his estate. While he was gone, a dangerous situation arose with Hugh’s archenemy. Jenny thinks she can fix the problem because, after all, her manuscript’s story created the villain.
She defies Hugh’s order for her to stay inside the castle grounds while he’s gone. Her decision goes terribly awry, and she has to be rescued. In the resulting skirmish, three of Hugh’s men-at-arms are killed. Now, with Hugh home again, Jenny has to face him with the consequences of her actions. She doesn’t know what to expect when Hugh calls her into his apartment. Has her defiance destroyed their relationship? Did her insubordination threaten Hugh’s leadership in the eyes of his men? This scene gave me so much fun portraying the clash of centuries and cultures that threaten Hugh and Jenny’s relationship.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I light a scented candle while I’m writing. It helps trigger my creativity.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
Always do your best. Don’t settle for anything less.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
How much is one willing to sacrifice for love?