As the author, how would you describe your book?
It's a story about relationships. Yes, it's a mystery, but the "real story" is about how people can learn from each other and work together in a dynamic relationship.

Can you tell us the behind-the-scenes story about how Reality Check came into being? What was the germ? How did the characters come to life? Is there a character who still lives inside of you?
Dace and Jen represent facets of my own personality, and periods in my life. I have studied both law and counseling. While there are wonderful lawyers and counselors in the world—and I certainly don't mean to disparage any individuals—I do find that the two professions tend to be characterized by certain "mind sets." It's kind of strange, because both are very much oriented toward problem-solving, but counselors sometimes focus more on feelings than on facts, and lawyers do the reverse. The whole truth—the reality—surely lies in a blending of both. Dace and Jen learn to deal with their disagreements in a manner that I believe their two professions could well emulate: listen with respect and an open mind, and care enough to try to understand.

For me, neither profession was a good fit. For Dace and Jen, I think each is excellent in her chosen field, and her capabilities are enhanced by the other's input and "reality check."
As for the actual plot, well, I'd heard someone remark that a fair number of people commit suicide by jumping off the Lions Gate Bridge—and that the police and press don't reveal that fact to the public. So I thought, what if...

Can you tell us something about you as a writer, i.e. when you started writing, what's your creative process is like, what inspires you, etc.?
In my teens I loved writing stories but it never occurred to me that this might be a serious career, so I put the writing aside and concentrated on education and career. I came to believe that, while I was bright and competent, I didn't have a creative bone in my body.

Around the time I turned forty, I rediscovered my creativity. Writing is my true passion. I love it even when I'm doing that nasty, nitpicky editing, even when I'm struggling with plot points that refuse to work out, and especially when my characters turn headstrong and grab the story out of my hands.

What inspires me? Anything and everything, and some days absolutely nothing at all. Mostly it's those weird little "teasers" that lead to a "what if" question. My brain works the scenario, I chat to a friend about it, synchronicity does its work and sends me more odds and ends, and suddenly the assorted bits and pieces begin to form into a shape that I think could be a story or book.

I am much more interested in people than plots. Or, rather, I'm interested in plots because they're the framework within which people react to societal influences, challenging circumstances, and other people. What I write about is personal growth, particularly as it's influenced by human interactions.

As for process, I don't usually outline a book, I just have a rough idea of what I'm interested in exploring and who my main characters are, and then I dive in. Soon the characters take over, and I usually end up with something quite different than what I'd first envisioned.

How do you keep a balance between family, work, and your writing?
I'm a consultant and my workload can vary from overwhelming to nonexistent. Some weeks I'm working full-out, including evenings and weekends; writing—as well as pretty much everything else—goes on the back burner. Then I'll get dry spells in terms of paying work, and I'll dive back into the writing. This kind of workload is fine for writing short stories, but it's tough when it comes to novels. I'm forever picking up my work in progress and having to start back at the beginning to figure out who my characters are and what they've already said and done, so I can immerse myself and move forward.

As for family, I'm lucky to be partnered with someone who has the same kind of weird lifestyle. We're very tolerant of each other's schedules, and usually manage to at least make it into bed around the same time every night!

Can you tell us something about you as a person?
I'm a child of the sixties. I've been a drifter in terms of both career and relationships: exploring, learning, generally not settling for long. Now that I'm getting older I'm developing a sense of who I really am and what's important to me. I'm putting an increased value on building rather than moving on.

I tend to be a solitary person, yet I love getting together with close friends. Besides writing, my other passion is photography.

If you had a chance to be mentored by one author (living or dead), who would you choose and why?
I'm going to go with my first impulse here, and not bother to examine why. No doubt I should be thinking of great literary figures but the name that springs to mind is Mary Stewart, back in the days when she was writing The Moonspinners, My Brother Michael, and all those marvelous "woman in jeopardy" books. I love her gutsy heroines and her sexy heroes, and I admire her talent for capturing the ambiance of a foreign locale.

Despite the wisdom that says you can't take it with you, if you could take four things with you when you leave this world, what would they be?
A computer (and the batteries or power to run it forever)
A camera (plus film and developing services)
Good friends with open, interesting minds
Sunshine

What is your view of epublishing? What opportunities does it provide for you and for other authors? What do you think is the future of epublishing?
It has greatly enhanced accessibility in so many ways. Writers and works that might not be published in paper are being published electronically. Readers—especially readers in remote locations—can access such an incredible variety of work, so easily.

The field is in its infancy and it has the open-mindedness and exuberance of a baby. I can't wait to see how this beautiful child grows up.

What other published works do you want us to know about?
I'd love for you to know about the short stories I've had published in literary magazines and Woman's World. And when I get a web site organized, I'll invite you to come and read them.

What projects are you currently working on?
I have two novels in the works. Kathy's Clown is a redemption story about a very damaged man who learns to trust in himself and his ability to love and be loved. In Home on the Range a man discovers that sometimes you have to return home to find your true identity, and your true love.