For Readers

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 Next to writing, reading is one of my favorite things to do! I almost always have at least two books going. The reason for two and only two? I have to have a book in my hands. The smell of a book, it always gets to me, and puts a smile on my face. Weird right? The second is my Kindle. I always, always have it with me. I may have single-handedly kept this service in business for the last decade. If you want to know what I’m reading these days, check out my Goodreads page and see all my current and past reads.

What do you like to read?

My favorite genre now is historical fiction; However, I will read just about anything. Lately I’ve been re-reading some of those literature books that were assigned in high school, like The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, and Beloved by Toni Morrison. I find that I always like the young adult fiction. My childhood favorites included the Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House series, the C.S. Lewis Narnia series and of course Anne of Green Gables. When I was a teenager, I discovered Gone with the Wind. That was probably the start of my historical fiction obsession. I will, of course, pick up a romance novel every once in a while, especially when it is historically based. 

What is your favorite book?

I have read so many fantastic books throughout my life, it would be hard to pick a favorite. If forced, I would have to say it is Gone with the Wind. The imagery invoked in this novel, and the complicated character of Scarlett with forever be an inspiration to me.

What was your favorite childhood book?

Hands down this is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The wild trip through the wardrobe and the world discovered there was fascinating to me. The fact that there was such a profound underlying good vs. evil message escaped me as a twelve-year-old, but I was forever changed in terms of my reading from that book. I was transported and felt like I was there.  These books, are in fact, part of the inspiration for my Time Benders series of book.

 No ego here, I love to talk about writing with other writers! I think we all have a perspective and tips and lessons learned and why not share, especially with those new to the profession.  Check out my blog at https://covertocover.net.  Better yet, sign up to get updates from me, or email me if you have a question.

What's your writing process?

I like to set aside time each day to do some writing. It isn’t always my current work in progress, but I feel it’s important to write every day. Sometimes it’s notes to my pen pals, sometimes it’s updating my social media, sometimes it’s writing prompts. Anything to keep me writing. When I’m working on a project, I try to set a word count goal for each writing session. This keeps me committed. 

What is your favorite part of writing?

I love the midway point in a project. When you’ve arrived at the middle, you have already set the tone and tried to show readers the story. By this point, my characters are talking to me, while I do dishes, while I cook and often, while I’m trying to sleep! I like this middle because the story takes on its own life and starts to lead me, instead of me leading it.

What advice would you give a new writer?

I would say, first and foremost, write as often as you can. You have to train yourself to write, just as you would train yourself for any other profession. Read books on writing craft, join a writer’s group. Get yourself immersed in writing. Don’t ever feel like you have to do it the way anyone else does. Find what works for you and follow your own process. Finally, don’t be surprised once you get into the groove that you have all kinds of ideas of different stories. Be sure to keep a notebook handy at all times so you can put these ideas to paper!