The Summer Solstice: Enchanted was most definitely inspired by nature, magic, and love as I preach in my promos. When I was 12 I started writing contemporary romance novels in my spiral notebooks, but I never thought to have anything published. I simply enjoyed the process of writing and shaping a story but I always knew there was an element missing. It wasn’t until I moved to Florida in 2008 that I came up with the idea for The Summer Solstice: Enchanted. I spent time at the bookstore reading a lot and researching story ideas. Nothing clicked until one day I sat there for hours pouring over the Mythologies section and that’s when I was completely sucked into the subject of Midsummer/Summer Solstice. The festivities and rituals that take place during this time fascinated me. I found it beautiful, magical even, how celebrated nature and the seasons are to certain cultures. From there on it was like a floodgate of ideas opened and they still keep coming. I’m very excited about the History and Mythology I’ve created with the Summers in Enchanted. There’s a supernatural spin to this story that I’ve never explored in the past but I know now what that missing element was in my writing – it was magic.
2. How long was the writing process?
If I cut out all of the long breaks I took in between, I would say that The Summer Solstice: Enchanted took 12 months to research, outline, edit, and publish. I wrote four drafts of this novel which each took 2-3 months. And then I spent a good two months on editing. What most people don’t know is that the next book in the series was actually written with the first book but I cut it out and decided to make Enchanted more of an intro or soft launch for the series. It’s been doing really well so far so I think I made the right decision!
3. Have you ever been to Apollo Beach?
I don’t know why I laugh every time someone asks me this question. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t visit Apollo Beach until after The Summer Solstice: Enchanted was written. It’s only an hour and a half drive away – but to my defense, for most of my writing process, I had no plans to publish this book. I relied on Google maps and images to shape my imagination. I did get a chance to visit Apollo Beach a few months ago and it confirmed all of the magic I wrote about and more. I have so many ideas for the rest of the series based on this one visit. I will have to go back when the Manatee Viewing Center opens in November.
4. Do you and Kat have anything in common?
Other than our hair color and taste in guys, I don’t think we have much in common. And unless there’s something my parents are keeping from me – our heritage lacks any magic. Kat is also much stronger mentally and emotionally than I was at 16. She is very grounded as a result of her bringing up which is a part of her character... Read More
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