What advice would you give to the aspiring writers out there?
Most of your books have been made available in audiobook format. Do you get involved with the production of those at all?
Are there any movie or television adaptations of your novels in the works?
That certainly makes me happy to know that!!
When it comes to audio books, I generally get a say in the narrator(s) which is wonderful. They’ll send me audition tapes and we go from there. In terms of the production, I’m consulted only on pronunciations, certain tricky elements that might come up, that sort of thing. I’ve never been invited into the studio while they’re recording.
I’ve had a few nibbles in terms of film and TV though the years but nothing I can really share. It’s always such a long short so I try to manage my expectations and not get too excited about any of that stuff.
I’ve had a blast promoting Barbie and meeting readers and doll collectors from across the country. Along the way I’ve been really touched and surprised to see people showing up to my events dressed in pink and some have even brought their own Barbies. I love when people told me the book gave them a much needed escape and brought back childhood memories. That does my heart good!
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Along with the usual, write, read, write, revise, I think it’s important to believe that it’s going to happen for you. Get a very clear vision of what you want to see happen and hold that thought and believe in it. That belief will carry you through the inevitable rejections that come with the industry. For every one pass I got from an agent, I sent out five more queries and I held to my vision that I was going to be published author and be able to support myself as a writer. It didn’t happen overnight by any means, but that was my method all along and that’s always the advice I share whenever anyone asks.
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In Let’s Call Her Barbie, is there a scene that’s your favorite, or one you’re particularly proud of? Any that were a real headache to write?
Do you have a community of authors that you meet up with - a group that might offer advice or support?
Do you generally have an audience in mind when you write, or do you just write the types of books you, yourself, would like to read?
One of my favorite scenes in the book (just because I think it’s funny) is when they’re all in the board room discussing Ken’s anatomy. There is a scene that I’m really proud of and that’s the scene in the Finding The Muse chapter, after Stevie runs into an old classmate and returns home, determined to reboot her career as a fashion designer. I remember when I wrote that scene. It was a Sunday afternoon and the words and images just flowed. Oh, if only an entire novel could write itself that way!
Some people may be surprised to learn what a small circle the writing community really is. Especially the historical fiction writers. We all seem to know each other either online or in person.
I consider myself very lucky to be part of a historical fiction group called The Lyonesses (because we’re all agented by Kevan Lyon). We have a weekly Facebook chat and hold annual writing retreats and gathering for various Zooms chats. It’s a powerhouse of talent in that group and everyone is wonderfully supportive and generous about brainstorming, critiquing manuscripts, offering advice on everything from covers to marketing plans. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without my agency sisters!
That’s an interesting question. I really don’t think about the audience. I know that you can’t please everyone so I think I’d fail miserably if I tried to write what I think others wanted. Basically I let the story unfold. It’s almost as if the characters have a destiny they’re trying fulfill and I’m just the vehicle, writing down what they tell me. 
I looked up her website just now, and I was surprised how many authors she represents. That’s quite a group! How many people are members of The Lyonesses?
I know you said it took five years to find this particular agent. The process sounds daunting! After talking to you I’m even more impressed with your persistence and the persistence of authors in general. I’m not sure how I believed books went from manuscript to store shelves, but I’m discovering it’s much more challenging than I ever thought.
It must be an incredible feeling to have someone agree to publish one of your books. Has the euphoria abated since your first books went to press, or do you still get equally excited when someone says yes to your latest effort?
What question do you wish people would ask (or ask more often) about your books?
Are you done touring for Barbie now, or are you headed off somewhere soon? I know you were in Cleveland not that long ago (my hometown).
Do you ever get back to Akron?
Do you always have ideas for books rolling around in the back of your mind, or are there times when you’re just not sure what comes next?
Kevan is an AMAZING agent and we are all so lucky to be represented by her. I believe we have a total of 42 Lyoness members and I think each of us would agree that publishing is a tricky business. You have to have a thick skin and the fact that I’m able to do this at all, let alone full time, is never lost on me. I’m still in the pinch-me phase of it all. Thankfully it has never felt like a job, but rather a labor of love. It’s always a wonderful feeling when you come up with an idea that your team is excited about. Gives you a little added confidence when it’s time to face the blank page.
Hmmmm, I’ve never really thought about that. I’m just happy when people are curious enough to want to know more. 
I still have a pretty full Barbie schedule, but it has slowed down a bit. I just returned home from doing three events in Ohio–Cleveland, Columbus and Hudson. I have events coming up in Milwaukee, Las Vegas and several local/regional and virtual events.
I did get back to Akron (twice!) Last week we were there celebrating my mother’s 91st birthday! She’s amazing–still lives alone, still drives, still so much fun to be with! Back in March I was there to do a hometown event and that was fantastic. Always so great to see my high school friends and family. They did such a great job of promoting the event and we had a fabulous turnout.
Oh how I wish I had a stock pile of ideas rolling around in the back of my head. I do keep a file of possible ideas but it’s been a while since I’ve added to that. There have been times when I just have no idea what comes next. It’s a little scary and I’ve worried that I’ll never have another book idea again. But I’ve found that sometimes, I just need to take a little break, walk away, read, meditate, relax and that when the ideas start to flow again. Some of them are awful but out of twenty or so possibilities, there’s usually one that stands out and my agent, my editor and I all go, “Yes! That’s the one!”