Some of your questions answered 👍(Updated)

I'm asked questions regarding my writing and thought I would answer a few of the most common ones. 🤩

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I remember writing as a child, and in fact, I wrote my first full-length manuscript when I was a teenager. Due to a lack of confidence and guidance, I didn't pursue my dream of writing until around 2007-2008. I published my first book in 2010.

When did you write your first book?

My first book was Fire, published in 2010. 

What inspired you to start writing?

My goals have been to make people think, be empathetic, and see various perspectives. I enjoy provoking people because they are more likely to get involved in the story if they feel an emotional connection. 

How long does it take you to write a book?

I write a chapter a day and 50 chapters in my books, so in essence, 50 days to complete the first draft. Editing and figuring out details such as a synopsis and cover image also take some time, but it can vary. For the last few years, I've published two books a year. 

What is your genre, and who is your audience?

I hate being stuck in a genre because I think my writing falls into many categories: suspense, thriller, murder, crime, romance, and more. I even have a couple of books that fall into the fantasy category. My audience varies. 

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

I gain information from reading or watching documentaries and interviews about topics that interest me. Many of these topics end up becoming a part of my books. For example, I often read about cartels, violence, and the psychology of a criminal, which ends up making it in my books. 

How long does it take to research for your books?

I don't pay attention but research when needed. 

Do you write using a pen or computer?

Computer. However, I write notes about characters and each chapter in a journal to keep organized and for reference.

What part of writing is most difficult?

Editing is the most difficult because it's very tedious and requires extreme focus. Writing the back cover synopsis is also a challenge. How do you sum up an entire book in a few words without giving too much away? 

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Sixteen so far and it's too difficult to choose! 

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? ( if you have any?)

I only write chapters early (like 6 AM) in the morning, and I do so with no interruptions unless necessary. I don't get up to eat, take out the garbage, or do anything else when I'm writing. I try to stay focused and not divert my attention because it's a struggle to get back on track if I do.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

It tends to be the other way around. I usually write around my work schedule. On mornings that I'm not working, I get up and write. On the mornings I'm working, depending on how much time I have, I might do some light editing, work on social media, upload or record a video for YouTube, or any other task that requires my attention. 

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

I recently read a quote that said that writers aren't playing God when writing a book but are merely secretaries. This is very accurate. You cannot force a character to do what they don't want to do unless you enjoy getting writer's block. 

What is your favorite type of books to read?

I mostly read non-fiction on topics that interest me, but I've been known to sink into a good fiction book from time to time. 

Were there any authors of books that had a particular influence on you or your writing?

George Orwell. He was a genius. Orwell could observe and analyze human nature and create works of fiction that reflected how he viewed the world, in a way that served as much as a warning as an entertaining tale.


How do the books get published?

This could be a rather long answer, but essentially, you can self-publish, seek out a smaller publisher who is interested in your specific genre or seek out an agent. Large houses generally only deal with agented writers. Always do your research when doing any of the above. There are a lot of scumbags out there. I recommend Writer's Beware. 

Do you design your book covers?

My publisher designs the cover, but I pick out the image I would like them to work with and perhaps make suggestions such as darkening the image, colors I prefer, etc. 

How do you market your books? 

I mainly use social media, but I also use my website, send press releases when new books come out and give out bookmarks with all my covers. I'm always trying to think of new, creative ways, but social media is my first stop.

Where can we get your books, other than here?

Everywhere online!! Check out my site for more details. 

All my books have hidden themes 🤫(Updated)

Did you know that my books have a theme? This is the message that takes the driver's seat and creates a direction for the entire book or, in some cases, the series. But why are themes important?

In a nutshell, themes are the 'point' of everything you do. For example, when you pick jobs, there's probably an underlying reason that goes much deeper than a paycheque. When you choose a mate or friendships, chances are there's a theme there too. With my writing, there are underlying themes that create a central idea behind by books. Themes are essential because they are the lifeblood of the story. I think the best way to demonstrate this is to give some examples.

In my first two books, Fire and A Spark before the Fire, my theme was how our culture often doesn't see entertainers as real people but rather machines whose every move is meant to be entertainment, their lives on constant display. This happened when I watched a celebrity have a very public meltdown, and people were essentially laughing at her rather than having any concern for her mental state. It frustrated me that we have tabloids and silly shows that focus on everything the stars are doing, and actually, this has only grown worse since writing these two books over ten years ago. Of course, this wouldn't exist if there wasn't a demand.

My third and fourth books had a vampire theme. Not surprisingly, the vampires in my books represent the 'bloodsuckers' or 'vampires' in our lives. Around the time I wrote these books, I saw an increasing number of people who fell in this category, not even in my own life but the world in general. We view it in the news regularly as many of these questionable characters float to the surface, in clear view. The Rock Star of Vampires is my first of two books that dive into this area, and in it, we discover that the protagonist, although she's a vampire, is probably less of a vulture than other characters in her life. In Her Name is Mariah, we learn about a young, troubled woman who preys on others because it's the only way she knows to survive, therefore, showing both sides of the same situation.

My current (Hernandez) series eased the reader into the whole world of organized crime and an underground world that people may assume is rare if they even believe it exists at all. The central theme is corruption, crime, collusion, and the belief that sometimes it's hard to distinguish the 'good' people from the 'bad'. Although my books follow a group of criminals, there is a point where readers see that the lines are often blurred. My goal was to make readers think and perhaps ask some questions, if only to themselves. Who runs the world? Politicians, corporations, religious leaders....or is it you? Who controls what we see and what we know? Is it manipulated? These are the questions that I've explored as the series unfolded a few years ago, and I continue to ask myself.

A theme gives us a larger focus, which is essential to both the writer and the reader. 

Why readers love to be shocked? 🙀(Updated)

I'm sure there's a part of our brains that light up like a Christmas tree when we read something shocking. Let's talk about why. 

It's interesting how we're iffy about surprises in our everyday life, but we do love it in our entertainment. There's something about the unexpected that is alluring. I've often said that I'm sure there's a part of our brain lights up when something exciting or stunning happens to our favorite character (in books or television) that we never saw coming. That's entertainment.

When I'm writing a book, I tend to be very conscious of when the story starts to take a low point. It doesn't mean it's terrible to do so, but I don't like to have things go an even course for too long. My rule is if I'm feeling a little bored, so is my reader, and therefore, it's time to shake things up.

Shocks can come in many forms. It could be as simple as a character's comment or reaction to a situation or something more alarming, like violence, an impromptu sex scene, an argument, unexpected news, sudden death, illness, or when surprising characters show up. Of course, there are many other options, but the main idea is to add something that readers didn't see coming, and ideally, neither do you, as the writer.

Shocking twists keep the story alive. Readers want to be entertained, so entertain them.

Why do you have to be as much a marketer as a writer? ✍️ (updated!)

If you're about to publish your first book, it's time to sharpen those marketing skills! Let people know about your book, what it's about and most important of all, why they should read it.

1. Make your front cover pop! Realistically, marketing begins with the cover. Make it eye-catching. If it grabs the reader, they're more likely to investigate further and see what the book is about, which brings me to...
2. Create a back cover teaser. Your job is to make potential readers want more! Choose spicy words and descriptions to captivate them. Authors often find this tricky. How do you sum up your book in a few words, create intrigue without telling too much? 
3. Send out a press release with a cover photo. Start with your local media, smaller newspapers, free newspapers, radio, and television stations. Send it everywhere! Not everyone will open your email, but you never know who will or if your cover will catch their eye. 
4. Change your signature at the bottom of your emails. This allows anyone you send an email to know that you're an author, the title of your book, and even add an image of the cover if you can.
5. Post on social media. This is one of the best tools in your toolbox. Social media is FREE and a great way to let people know about your new book. Be creative. Present the cover, share reviews, events, and news with your readers and friends. Have a page or account dedicated to your writing life so people can find you and learn about your book.
6. Videos are nice. Not everyone is crazy about recording videos, but I find it helps to let people learn about you, your books, and it's another way to capture attention. It also allows you to discuss your books while increasing your confidence and make you more comfortable talking about your writing in interviews and events. 
7. Ads are doable but expensive - so look for deals. You can pay next to nothing for ads, or you can pay through the nose. Be careful who you're dealing with too. There are a lot of scammy, suspicious people out there. I receive an email from sketchy companies attempting to sell me marketing packages every week. 
8. Bookmarks are the best! I have bookmarks made with all my covers on them and where to find me online. Remember, bookmarks travel, can be shared, and are just fun to give out. 

Of course, there are many other things you can do to get your book out there. Traditionally, many authors have book signings or book launches, while some might choose to speak at their local library. 

Remember that marketing is a big part of selling your book. It doesn't matter if you're the most famous author in the world or an indie author of your first book, this is an essential part of the process. If you aren't sure, research online, see what other authors are doing and check out books on the subject. Good luck! 

How do you write books so fast? 🙀(updated)

One of the most common questions I get asked is how I write my books so fast. I've been fortunate enough to average a couple of books a year for the last 2-3 years, but now that I'm working more frequently, this might change in the future. Of course, the fact that I'm currently writing a series helps too. This makes it easier to pick up where I left off, rather than creating a whole new group of characters and storylines.

I work full-time plus have a casual job, so I must plan my time carefully. Depending on my work schedule or what I have to do, I organize everything accordingly. I get up early to write (6 a.m) on my days off or when I have later shifts. Other tasks like recording videos, writing blogs, and social media have to be planned around everything as well; it's not easy, but I manage to make it happen.

I write one chapter per day. I try to avoid stopping halfway through because it's hard to get back into the same headspace if I walk away and return later. Editing takes longer and is much harder to schedule because some chapters are easier to get through than others, and of course, there are many rounds of editing before I can upload my book to the publisher. Meanwhile, when I'm finishing a book, I also have to start thinking about what I want for the back cover synopsis and, of course, the front cover image. Both involve marketing as much as creativity, so there are a lot of factors to consider. 

It's essentially up to me how much time I want to dedicate to my writing, and therefore, it's also up to me to make the best of the time I have each day. It's really about organizing your time in advance and being self-motivated. 

Knowing the ending first 🤭(Updated)

I know it's common for many authors to 'write the ending first' when outlining a book. However, I don't. There are two things in that sentence that I don't do. I don't outline, and I don't know the ending when I start writing a book. I like the surprise element. If I'm surprised, then so will be my reader. 

But then I geared up to writing my 11th book, and something strange happened. I knew the ending first. 

I fought it. I tried to push it aside, but the final scene was too powerful for me to ignore. This forced me to get out of my comfort zone. I eventually started writing with the ending crystal clear in my mind. 

I won't lie. This freaked me out. 

UPDATE: In the end, even with some ideas on how my book would end, it turned out there were still a few surprises. I guess it's great to have some ideas about how the ending will look, but again, if you're surprised by the final pages of your book, so will the reader. 

Do writers need a high word count per day? 💻 (updated)

I often notice authors commenting on their word count per day, and there seems to be a certain amount of self-imposed stress to meet specific targets. But should they be worried at all?

I guess it's a matter of opinion. Word count has never been a concern to me, other than whether or not I had a reasonable amount of words when I finished a book. It's not something I think about each time I sit down to write, and I certainly don't check my word count per day - ever.

I do think we all need a way to measure ourselves when it comes to a successful day. I like to write a chapter with each sitting (note I said 'sitting' not per day. I firmly believe that it's best to do in one shot to keep momentum or train of thought) and with that, I'm happy. I don't feel like a failure if I don't reach a certain amount of words, and in my opinion, neither should you..

The problem is that if you set your sights on a specific amount of words per day, what could end up happening is it can become your focus more than the actual writing itself. It also might end up being too wordy, and you'll have to edit a bunch out later on. Also, a lot of words don't necessarily mean it's going to be pure gold. 

The bottom line is that I don't like to see any writer put stress on themselves to meet some crazy target because it actually can make writing feel more like work than a project that they love. And if that's the case, what's the point?