Here’s my cool cover designed by the awesome Jennie Bennet.

And here’s the blurb in case you’re wondering.

Shallow Depths

Determined to fix their troubled marriage, Cat and Leif purchase a summer home on an idyllic lake, hours away from their hectic city life. While Leif is working, Cat keeps busy by spending time in the water or visiting with new friends who warn her about the urban legends of the lake. Curious, Cat digs for more information, discovering a trio of mysterious deaths a century ago, and a woman who claimed the weeds to be responsible.

One drunken night, she makes a horrible mistake, widening the fissure in their marriage. Trying to figure out where it all went wrong, Cat finds comfort in the water. But soon the betrayer turns into the betrayed as Cat slowly learns the truth about that night, and the weeds once again seek justice for the one who was wronged.

So this’ll be late fall sometime.

I’ve written a ton of young adult novels and those have gone nowhere. I’m not ready to self-publish them, so I’m switched into something different. Adult horror and thriller. I wrote the thriller a few years ago. It takes place in Brazil and involves some very bad people, and I’m excited about it.

I’m also revising a horror novel, and I’m working on several novellas. I used to be a big horror reader and kind of fell away from that, so it’s fun to get back into it again. The novellas/short stories are kind of fun, and I’m excited to be working on them.

For now, those young adult novels will just have to wait. Someday I might self-publish, but for now, they’re temporarily shelved. Which is okay.

I’m a lucky cause I’m one of those writers who has way too many ideas and not enough time. It sucks not having that time, but it’s better than those writers who struggle to find a new idea. So I’ll keep writing, keep editing, and hopefully I’ll have more luck with my adult stories.

That’s about it though. For now…

I don’t have big plans for getting back into blogging right now, but I’m not ready to archive it. So I’ll just do a little post.

I’m still writing. Still wanting an agent, although I’m not querying anything currently. I’m trying to finish a contemporary adult novel that takes place in Brazil–which I’m really excited about.

I’ve also been busy since I joined in with my two friends Cassie Mae and Kelley Lynn to form CookieLynn Publishing. We do developmental, line, and copy editing, and formatting. I do the line and copy editing and I love it. I’ve always enjoyed editing, so getting to do it on a professional level is perfect for me. And we have very affordable prices, so check it out if you’re looking for an editor.

That’s about it though.

For now.

But I didn’t recognize it. I read the page and nothing clicked in my head. I didn’t remember anything–not one word, about this story idea I had.

Which is unusual. I’ve had many ideas and granted, I haven’t looked back at EVERY page with every idea I’ve ever had, but most of the time when I go back, my notes will spark a little recognition. And I’ll go, Oh yeah, I’ll have to go back to that some day.

Not this time though.

So I don’t know if I had this idea from a dream or where it came from. I really have no clue. I’m wondering if I was watching a horror movie or something when I got the idea, because that’s what I labelled it as: horror. Although my notes don’t really reflect that it’s a horror. It’s kind of funny.

Has this ever happened to you? Where you’ve written done a bunch of notes for a story idea, but when you’ve gone back, you don’t recognize/remember it?

Image courtesy of feelart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I enjoy reading author interviews, but often times they don’t ask the kinds
of questions I wonder about. So I’ve assembled a group of writers at
all levels, from un-agented to published, and every week I will
have a new question for them.

Thank you, ladies, for letting us learn more about you on The Big Reveal!

How often do you read?

J.A. Bennett
I’m trying to read a book a week this year, but I’m failing. I’m still going to try, anyway!

Stephanie Faris
I read every afternoon while walking on my treadmill. I’ve been averaging three to five books a month but I read a lot of chapter and middle grade books, which are never more than 100 pages. Three or four of those equals one adult book!

Tanya Reimer
I am always reading. I read for work, for writing, for research. Reading for fun is very different and something I don’t do as much anymore, even if I make it a habit to always have one fiction-just-for-fun book on the go, handy. One of my own manuscripts or one I’m critiquing I can have done in a few days. But leisurely reading, I give it a few weeks since my own writing takes priority. Of course, it has happened that the odd book has sucked me in and stolen my heart, in that case, I just read it that day and finish it, so I can get back to my work without the story looming over me.

Trisha Leaver
I read all the time. Lately, I seem to be on an Adult Historical Fiction binge. When I am not under a deadline crunch, I read about two books a week. Always at night and always in bed. It is my way of winding down my mind before I go to sleep. That, and if’ I’m lucky, the characters of the book I am reading meet me in my dream world.

Danielle Bertrand
I usually like to read or listen to at least one book per week. Sometimes I can knock out 3 or 4 books a week and other times I will go months without reading. Depends on my mood.

Jackie Felger
I read almost every day, but I’m not a fast reader by any means. In fact, there are times I have to go back and reread things, because I get distracted easily.

How much do you read?

I enjoy reading author interviews, but often times they don’t ask the kinds
of questions I wonder about. So I’ve assembled a group of writers at
all levels, from un-agented to published, and every week I will
have a new question for them.

Are you artistic or creative in ways other than writing too?

J.A. Bennett
I design book covers sometimes, but that’s about it.

Stephanie Faris
Not really. Writing is pretty much my only creative talent. I enjoy baking but I find if I bake sweets, I end up eating way too much of them, so I don’t really even do that anymore.

Tanya Reimer
I have great artistic vision with no talent. I love art. I love music. I love everything creative and marvel at simple things like hairstyles, how light hits the tree, book covers, website designs, poems… I see what I want and read great details into all things creative, however I have ZERO talent for any of those things. I can’t draw what I see in my mind. I can’t sing what plays in my head, I can’t even braid my daughter’s hair the way I envision it. I am limited by clumsiness. It used to frustrate me, but I’ve accepted it now. Even writing isn’t a talent, it is something I have to work very hard to do and I find I still can’t achieve the level of creativity I see in my mind.

Trisha Leaver
I like to garden mostly herbs and flowers. And I love to bake. I make a chocolate cheese cake to die for. And Jam . . . I make jars and jars of strawberry and grape jam each year. Unlike my MC in THE SECRETS WE KEEP, I can’t draw to save my life, and I’m pretty much tone-deaf. So, I guess outside of writing, my artistic talents are confined to the kitchen.

Danielle Bertrand
I’d like to think I am. Not that I have a huge list of awesome things I can do, but I craft every once in a while and I also like to paint.

Jackie Felger
Floral design. I’ve been doing that for years in a family flower shop and really enjoy creating arrangements.

How are you artistic/creative?

I enjoy reading author interviews, but often times they don’t ask the kinds
of questions I wonder about. So I’ve assembled a group of writers at
all levels, from un-agented to published, and every week I will
have a new question for them.

Do you any (many) story ideas that are just sitting in your mind or notebooks until you have the time to write? Or do you only think of one at a time, then work on it?

Jackie Felger
YES!!! When an idea pops up in my head, I stop what I’m doing and write it down and/or put it in my cellphone so I have it for later.

J.A. Bennett
I have lots of ideas, many of which will never be written. Because, time. I tend to move to new projects quickly, when old ones are burning me out.

Stephanie Faris
Before I had a publisher, I always had ideas for the next book. But I’ve learned the hard way to always send a list of ideas to my agent and have her pick her favorites. Then I write three chapters and a synopsis for her favorite(s) and we refine that before submitting.

Tanya Reimer
I do have a notebook that I started over 20 years ago for ideas, and when I don’t have time to work on it or can’t fit it into a scene, I write it in there. For some reason I started the notebook backwards and am working my way to the front of it. Unfortunately, what I did learn over the years is that I rarely use it. The ideas I’m working on are just too many and even if I do read them, the passion I had for that idea in the moment is gone. It’s easier to write them as I fall in love with them, even if it’s just a few scenes, it keeps the story alive. This also means I have a folder with scenes that needs homes. Those get used, recycled, and moved about as needed.

Trisha Leaver
I have a least a dozen first pages written and saved on my laptop, each one for a completely different story idea. Once I am completely done with a WIP, I circle back to that file and re-read them all. If one calls to me, then it becomes my next WIP. If not . . . well then, back to the drawing board I go.

Danielle Bertrand
I cannot work on one at a time. Is it horrible to say that I tend to get bored with my stories? I’m not saying my stories are boring… I don’t think so anyways, but I love being able to take a break and work on something different. Jumping from story to story keeps the excitement alive and tends to help me think of new ideas.

Do you any (many) story ideas that are just sitting in your mind or notebooks until you have the time to write? Or do you only think of one at a time, then work on it?

I haven’t been blogging much lately because I’ve been busier than usual. Mostly because I’ve started something new. Something I love.
 
The amazing Kelley Lynn and Cassie Mae invited me to be a part of Cookie Lynn Publishing Services. I love editing, getting to read spectacular books and help that author make them better. So how lucky am I to get paid?
 
The answer: very lucky.
 

Do you love what you do?

I enjoy reading author interviews, but often times they don’t ask the kinds
of questions I wonder about. So I’ve assembled a group of writers at
all levels, from un-agented to published, and every week I will
have a new question for them.
 

Do you put a lot of thought into picking the jobs of your main characters?

Jackie Felger
I don’t put much thought into picking out jobs for my characters. It seems to just fall into place as I go along in the writing process.

J.A. Bennett
I just go with whatever pops in my head. Since I usually write high school students, that’s their job, so it doesn’t require much thought. As for the parents, unless the job is part of the parent’s personality, I go with something basic.

Stephanie Faris
They’re all students but there are things in tween/chapter books that you have to consider. Do they have siblings? Pets? Do they live in a house and apartment? I’m constantly reading books where I’ll think, “None of my books ever feature characters living in a big-city apartment. I need to try that!” Mostly you just want to avoid getting stuck in a rut where every book has the same set of circumstances.

 
Tanya Reimer
Jobs fall into two categories; 1) they define the character 2) they contrast the character. So, if I need a job that means he’s going to be in touch with the earth, he should be a farmer. But if he’s a teacher by nature and stuck in the fields, that is going to add to his character even more. As for secondary character, their jobs usually serve a purpose. I need a loan? I luckily have a banker friend handy. I need the parents out of the way? Thank goodness they have to travel a lot!.

Trisha Leaver
Actually, I don’t put much thought it to it. I mean, they have to fit the Contemporary World I have set them in, but as for their actual jobs . . . not so much. I spend more time worrying about my MC’s hobbies, summer job, sports interests then I do trying to figure out her parent’s occupations. Because of that, my MC’s parents tend to have less exotic, more traditional occupations.

Danielle Bertrand
My characters usually gravitate towards being librarians, students, criminals, has-beens, but most are professionals in badassery.

Do you put a lot of thought into picking the jobs of your main characters?

I enjoy reading author interviews, but often times they don’t ask the kinds
of questions I wonder about. So I’ve assembled a group of writers at
all levels, from un-agented to published, and every week I will
have a new question for them.
 

Do you utilize Critique Partners or Beta Readers?

Jackie Felger
Oh my goodness, absolutely! I have three people I share things with, but one person (Kimmy) who I always turn to with my writing and things in general. We clicked right away and have passed our work back and forth for a few years. I don’t know what I’d do without her or her friendship!

J.A. Bennett
I have the best critique partners in the world!! I don’t know what I would do without them! I have one online group and a few trusted friends, they are all so great! They keep me going through the hard times.

Stephanie Faris
My agent is awesome at looking over my work and giving me incredible feedback during the weeks leading up to submitting it to my editor. Our work together makes the books really great before the editor even sees them. I probably should pass it through a critique partner before submitting it to her, but usually we’re on such a tight turnaround time, I can’t.

 
Tanya Reimer
Critique Partners and Beta Readers are a very important part of every writer’s life. I have skilled people I turn to. I am always looking for new readers and partners, as I have many books on the go and hate to wear them out because I love them.

Trisha Leaver
I have a group of local children’s writers that I meet with weekly. They are my first line of defense so to speak. I’m also lucky enough to have a virtual group of fellow YA authors who critique for me, and I for them. We read each other’s works, cheer each other on, and celebrate each other’s accomplishments. Having them at my virtual side has made my path to publication less lonely. Someday, I hope to meet them in person!

Danielle Bertrand
Once I am finished with a project I will utilize a small group of friends but I only have a few I would trust. I’m not a big fan of a large group of people laying their eyes on my work. I’m kind of proprietary.

Do you have critique partners or beta readers?