What made you want to be a writer? I can’t really pinpoint one precise reason. I’ve always been a creative person. I wrote well in school and in college. I could always convey my thoughts on paper with little effort. Although writing fiction takes a great deal of effort. I guess it just sort of happened. I think the creative side in me finally took over the analytical, structured business person I had previously been. I can tell you, I’m a much happier person being a writer.
What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general? When you’re juggling a family and a small business (though my husband handles most of it now) it’s very difficult to make the time to write. When I wrote Redwood Violet, I squeezed time in here and there over a span of 18 months. That was far too long. I wasn’t yet disciplined enough to set aside a specific time to write. Since I’ve started work on the sequel, I’m much less involved in our business and I have more time to dedicate to writing, which I do at very specific times of day.
Have you developed a specific writing style? I’m still experimenting, to an extent. I’m starting to play with points of view a little, just to see where it gets me. But overall, I think my writing style is one that I’ve been told is easy to read, not overly cumbersome or wordy. These were things I disliked in other books I’ve read, so I knew I wanted to avoid becoming that type of writer. It just doesn’t suit me. I prefer a quick pace and I think my writing reflects that.
How did you come up with the title? Originally, I wrote the story under a different title, Shadow Man. It didn’t quite resonate with me and it wasn’t until I had nearly completed the first draft that I decided to rename it. I found that my original title didn’t reflect the struggles my main character was facing. Given the setting of the story, Redwood Violet just had more meaning for Katie, the main character. I just researched the plants and flowers in the Redwood Forest and found that the Redwood Violet conveyed strength. It could grow in adverse conditions. That appealed to me greatly.
Can you tell us about your main character? Katie Reid. She’s in her late twenties and just beginning to build her life and her career. She has a boyfriend, a good job and lives near the beach. Not a bad life at all. She’s still naïve but is learning the ways of the world. And it isn’t until she discovers a very dark secret that she begins to transform. We see Katie become desperate, hardened by the harsh realities of her past. That desperation turns to obsession until the girl she thought she was is replaced by someone neither her boyfriend nor her family recognize.
Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it? Personally, I learned a great deal about myself and my perseverance. But not only that, this book required a fair bit of research, which I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed. A friend of mine, whose husband was a high-ranking police officer for twenty years, read the story, just to confirm that my references to police procedure were accurate, or at least, mostly accurate. I’m sure I took creative license on a few things. That part was very exciting for me.
Katie Reid is living the quintessential Southern California life. A dream job and her college sweetheart, Spencer top it all off. However, she can’t seem to shake the terrible dreams that have been tormenting her nights these past few months.
After seeking help to find relief from the exhausting effects of these dreams, it becomes apparent that Katie is dealing with something much deeper and much more sinister. Her only solution is to delve into a past that no one wants her to remember.
With the horrific discovery of a dark secret kept hidden for years, Katie is drawn into a world mired in evil and lost innocence. And only with the help of Detective Marshall Avery will she be able to channel her pain and anger.
But, will he be able to contain Katie’s desire for vengeance that has begun to unravel her perfect life?
The first in a two-part series, Redwood Violet will keep you firmly in its grip and refuse to let go!
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Genre – Mystery / Thriller / Suspense
Rating – PG
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