1 what inspired the idea of your story?
The inspiration for Black Ties & White Lies came from a daydream that I kept having while I drifted off to sleep. I'd imagine the scenes and after two or three weeks, I decided to pick up the (digital) pen and start writing it all down.
2 what is something you struggled constructing with your story?
The concept of something as severe as an eating disorder is not something that I take lightly, and I don't ever want to trigger anyone who is struggling with that battle. We all have a burden to bear, but I found myself really gravitating to telling the story of someone with anorexia – and not just as something that affects teens in high school (where we see an overabundance of this in literature). Adults deal with this, too.
3 what did you enjoy writing most of your story?
My favorite thing to write in this story has been Diego's sassy attitude. I just love being in that headspace, and it is nice to see him come to life on the e-pages here.
4 what's the overall response of your story from your readers?
Readers ask a lot of questions and get that shock factor as they read on to find answers. It's a real romance, not a Hallmark movie or a Hollywood script. Everything isn't perfect all the time, and the characters are flawed. I've received positive feedback about how genuine some of the interactions read.
5 is your story a stand alone novel or a piece of a series ?
Well... I haven't announced it (until maybe here), but I am considering a sequel. I'm wrapping up this – the first of the sagas of Sarah & Diego, but there is definitely more to the story in my head!
6 what would you like your readers to take away from your story?
Oh man, if I could boil down the key takeaways they would be.... Ladies, do not EVER let a partner (male or female) deter you from pursuing your dream. Make decisions for you, and if that person fits in your life... great. If not... also great. Everyone, it is okay for your dream to change – your career is critical to your independence, but it shouldn't define every part of who you are. And never assume that the person next to you isn't going through something – maybe something even worse than you are – even if they are adults.
7 what advice would you provide to fellow writers, when it comes to focusing on their own story?
I wrote this entire novel in under two months while working FULL TIME 50+ hours a week. I had no storyboard, no elaborate planning outline, and no overthinking. These chapters were drafted and posted within 24 hours, and they worked out. My advice: if your story is real, it'll come out. Don't let your process take away your progress.
8 does your main character share any similarities to yourself?
I have two main characters... although Diego is skewed to have a bit more 'air time'. I'm a woman working in a male-dominated industry, and I kick ass at it. In that regard, I'm very much like Diego. But Sarah shares my view on long distance relationships (they are pointless) and a priority for having her own identity outside of a relationship (so crucial). They each have their own quirks, but parts of me are there if I look hard enough.
9 what is something about your story you believe would draw in new readers?
I don't write perpetual sappy Hallmark moments in my Romance works (don't get me wrong – there are some cute moments in the book). Frankly, I'm sick of reading the rushed romances and unrealistic expectations of some of these e-novels and I just wanted to write something I would want to actually read for a change. The situations in this book aren't cookie cutter; they're real. And I'm actively working to normalize having tough conversations and to show the role of sex as not just stimulating, but a plot piece in any relationship. That's what draws people in more than anything: it's just real.
10 do you have any future projects?
Cat's out of the bag, I suppose... there is very likely a second Black Ties & White Lies saga coming. I'm on work travel soon, but maybe I'll be inspired while I'm abroad. Who knows?