When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
When I was a little girl, I got a typewriter for my birthday, and I used to write stories about my dog, Trixie all the time. So the dream of being a writer was always there, but it wasn’t until I moved to New Orleans that got the courage and made the decision to do it.
What gave you the idea to write Phone Kitten?
I’ve always worked in the customer service field, and there are clients and customers you see regularly who become part of your life in a peripheral way, and sometimes for reasons you never know, they disappear. I’ve also always had one of those voices that prompts people to say “Have you ever considered working on a phone sex line?” Well, that seemed like the ultimate customer service job, and in it, you would see an intimate side of a person, yet you never really know them at all. Everything would be a fantasy. But what would happen if that person disappeared. That was a jumping off point for me.
How far did you go for your research for the book?
I decided to try working on a phone sex line. I worked for two different companies, both of which are very successful. One was a call center of sorts. At the other company the calls came straight to my home. All the calls that are in Phone Kitten are calls I actually took. Names were changed to protect the not-so-innocent, but the fantasies were real.
What was one of the most surprising finds when you were doing research?
There are men in this world who will pay you to sit on the phone, in another state and watch TV with them, and it’s usually a girly reality show, like Project Runway. It’s okay if you laugh. Thee caller knows the whole thing is ridiculous. There is always something out there that will surprise you.
Do you have a certain writing routine that you stick to?
I’m a night owl, so I don’t really get started writing till late, and I think I’m a little loosey goosey with writing. I don’t set a goal in regards to word or page counts;, I just want to write something. I listen to a play list that I made that reminds me of the story or characters to get me in the mood, I make a pitcher of iced tea, I reread the last thing I wrote, probably make a couple of changes, and then dive right in. Once I’m in, I’m set. I fall in love with the story all over again.
What is the hardest part about writing for you?
Starting. I can avoid writing like no other. There are so many interesting things on the Internet.
How do you spend your free time?
I always like taking my dog, Dash for a walk in French Quarter. He’s a happy dog, and we get stopped by tourists who want to take his picture, and he has a few friends at different places he likes to visit. I carry my camera too. I’m not a great photographer, but it’s hard to take a bad picture in New Orleans. I can never have too many snapshots of flowered balconies. I also cross stitch, right now I’m working on a zombie pillow.
Do you think social media and eBooks are a must for authors these days?
Absolutely, and I’m just beginning to navigate the social media thing. Till recently my FaceBook was exactly like everyone else’s, I used it to keep up with friends and high school buddies. Now I’m using it more to keep updated on what is going on in my old home St. Petersburg FL. I am trying to use FaceBook and Twitter more to promote Phone Kitten, I have a blog at www.missquoted.com, and there have been times when something embarrassing will happen to me, or I will see something odd and the first thing I think is “YES! Something to blog about!” I think eBooks are the future, so is social media, writers have to embrace it. I’m working on it.
Are you working on a new project?
I think my girl Emily has a few more stories in her, so right now I’m working on a “sequel” to Phone Kitten. Emily has a new job, new friends, neighbors, and a whole new crime to solve. I’m loving every minute of it.
What is your best advice for aspiring writers?
I think that the BEST advice I ever given to me was from an award- winning mystery writer. She told me that at some point, something in the story you are writing should make you cry. I’ve never forgotten that. It keeps your writing honest. Also invest in a comfortable chair, you’re going to be sitting for awhile.
Where would be your dream vacation?
I did a lot of dream vacationing when I was younger. I worked for an airline and the travel benefits were amazing. So I’ve had the opportunity to see lots of the things that people dream about already. Maybe I’d like to take another trip up the East coast, or go to Little Big Horn (Can you tell my Dad was a history buff?) But really, my favorite destination is my own city. In New Orleans, there’s always a festival or an adventure around the corner.
June 28, 2011
