Where did you grow up?

In New Mexico, and yes, I had a horse when I was about the same age as my main characters in the DEL TORO MOON series and ON A GOOD HORSE. Beau Bar Drift was a gray Arabian gelding who could do anything from English huntseat to Western pleasure, from dressage to competitive trail riding. A prince of a horse. I still miss him.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

No, I wanted to be an anthropologist, and I actually earned my degree in that field. Not a lot of jobs for anthropologists, so I became a social studies teacher. I taught fifth grade for six years, then I taught seventh grade social studies for fourteen years, all in Colorado where I live now. I never dreamed of writing a book until I was 50 years old.

Where do you get your ideas?

My ideas mostly come from the tales and legends of various cultures around the world. This is another way I use my anthropology degree. But always, I write the books I want to read.

What’s the worst part of the writing process?

Writing the first draft. It is brutal and even though I craft outlines and even write a multi-page synopsis, I struggle with doubt until I get that first draft completed. A blank page is terrifying.

What’s your favorite part of the writing process?

Revising the story. I am most creative when I have something to mold and tweak and polish and improve.

What’s your favorite part of the publishing process?

Seeing the book cover for the first time. Yeah. Pretty cool. It never gets old.

If you could pick only one favorite book, what would it be?

THE LORD OF THE RINGS by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Favorite movie?

It’s a tie between THE LORD OF THE RINGS and STAR WARS.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

Read, run, ski, bike (single-track), hike, and read some more

Do you have any children? Pets?

My husband and I do not have children. We do, however, have Henry. Or rather, Henry has us. Not sure which.