Would you rather have critical acclaim, or commercial success?
I would love to have both, of course, but I don’t write with either in mind. I think I write because I have to; it is like breathing to me.
Looking at the fiction you’ve written to date, what kind of themes or elements does your work explore?
My longer fiction focuses on learning to change: to accept oneself, to grow from experience, to accept others as they are. All with a dose of fantasy thrown in, of course.
Do you have a favourite place to write? If so where is it?
My favorite place to write is on my patio. Being in Florida allows me that luxury most days. I have a background sound of a waterfall, which is peaceful and conducive to letting my mind wander.
What genre do you normally write in? What do you enjoy most about this genre? What do you find challenging?
Fantasy is my favorite genre. I love magic, fictional worlds, the fantastic. The challenge is to create a world that the reader can immerse herself in and understand without over explaining the mechanics of it. Although it’s been conjured from my imagination, it still has to make sense to the reader on a visceral level.
Which book do you wish you had written?
REPLAY by Ken Grimwood.
I am fascinated by the ‘what ifs’ of human nature and alternate history. That book clearly shows why you must accept who you are now—mistakes and all—in order to move forward with your life.
Chinese Whisperings invites you to kick back with your favourite beverage and Take Five with Richard Jay Parker.
The Red Book, Audio Trailer
