How long have you been writing? I know it sounds cliché, but I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. My mom saved little stories I would make up as a kid, and I’ve always kept journals. I studied journalism in college and worked in magazines, then for non-fiction publishing in editor roles. When I decided to have kids, I transitioned into freelancing from home and wrote product descriptions and blog posts. One day while playing on the swing set with my kids, I got a book idea and pulled out my phone to take notes. That night I decided to do what I’ve always dreamed of doing—write a novel.
What inspired the book you’re currently promoting? Short answer: My family, primarily my grandpa, “Papa.” He was a logger like JoJo and his grandpa in the book, and I helped take care of him later in his life like JoJo does Grandpa Joe. He also suffered from early dementia like Grandpa Joe.
Who are the authors who most influences your work? There have been many over the years. I can’t pinpoint just one author, but several people have told me my books remind them of Becky Wade’s books. I also love reading books set in other small towns similar to the ones I write about. Some of those authors include Emma St. Clair and Savannah Scott.
Where do you write? I move around with my laptop. Primarily, I sit in a cushioned swivel. It has a matching footrest and good back support. I’m certain it’s designed for an upscale nursery, but my kids are older and it’s in my living room. When I need a change of pace, I prop pillows up in my bed and write there. I occasionally go on my back deck when the weather’s nice, but I haven’t done so recently thanks to my daughter’s new puppy that likes to jump on me . . . and because of all the pollen. Oh, the pollen. I always say God gave us pollen to know when it’s springtime in Alabama since our weather goes from winter to summer overnight!
If you could visit one place to research a book where would it be? That’s an interesting question, since my books take place in Alabama, where I’ve lived my entire life. The fake county I made up is based on the county I grew up and the adjoining one I live in now. However, I like to bring people in from other areas and would like to research their background IRL rather than google. (Side note: if you follow me on TikTok and Instagram, I like to post videos of all the random things I google. I promise it’s all for stories, and I’m not crazy!) Maybe I’d visit a major city like New York. It would also be cool to travel abroad to different cultures so that I feel comfortable writing characters from foreign places.
Southern Sisters Book Club 