Frequently Asked Questions
People who are reading my book are asking some really interesting questions, so I'd thought I'd answer a few here.
Q. How did you come up with the story for the trilogy?
A. I really didn’t “come up” with the story. It came to me. I walk my dogs early every morning, and it was during one of these walks that my characters came to life in my head. That was February 2010. I literally started writing it down to get it out of my head.Q. Had you always wanted to write a book?
A. No. I had never even considered writing a book. Until now, I've never written for enjoyment. I've only written for work.Q. What was the hardest part about writing the Alexis Marsh trilogy?
A. Coming up with compelling titles was extremely difficult (and I hope I accomplished that). The publishing process is also labor intensive. Every single decision about the book was solely mine, so it was really hard. Keeping up with the timeline of the story is also challenging. A book can span minutes, days, weeks, months, years or even decades. I often have to stop writing to read and figure out how much time has passed and where I am in time within the story. In the third book it has been especially hard to keep up with timeline because I start the story two years in the “future” from where Secrets left off; then tell the story “backwards” to get the reader back to “current.”Q. Are the characters based on people you know?
A. Not at all. The characters are purely fictional, although some of Abby’s clothes may be familiar.Q. Will there be a fourth book in the Abby Marsh series?
A. My intention is that Love, Hate, and Fate will be the last book of the series. However, I could easily continue their story and not everything is resolved when Love, Hate, and Fate concludes. (Maybe one day.)Q. Is there meaning behind the character names in the trilogy?
A. Yes. I researched fairly extensively to name the characters. At the back of Book II, Secrets, Revelations, and Salvation, there is a section called “What’s in a Name” that outlines the meanings behind the major characters’ names. Some of the characters share names with family and friends.Q. Where did the poems at the beginning of each book come from?
A. Those are actually verses from “songs” I have written – at least in my head they are lyrics. There are no melodies written so I guess they are really just words on paper for now. I’d love to hear them come to life some day.Q. What are the playlists associated with each book?
A. The playlists are songs that resonated with me and/or the characters while I was writing the books. Some inspired chapter titles.Q. Will you write more books?
A. I have just published "We Met in September" so check it out. The idea for it came to me while I was writing the Alexis March trilogy. I'm very excited about how it turned out. I've also begun work on a historical fiction that takes place in the U.S. during the mid-1800s. I'm really enjoying the research about that time in our country's history - with the big push West, the Pony Express and the brave souls who wanted to explore new territory and forge a life for themselves.Q. Who is Damon? Did you have anyone (an actor) in mind when you developed him?
A. Damon is totally unique in my mind. I've never envisioned anyone (actor or otherwise) who fits him exactly.Q. We Met in September has a foundation in sailing. Are you familiar with sailing?
A. Not at all. I did a lot of research into sailing to hopefully make Ned believable.
