About the author
Tell us your story? What made you start writing?
I started writing for the fun of it. As a child, I was a constant daydreamer and eventually started documenting some of those dreams, which turned into stories. I enjoyed creating characters (yes, I was the kid who had imaginary friends!) and making them do all sorts of crazy things. It was entertaining and it made me feel free. It still does. Seeing the way people have connected with Rose, Roosha, and all of the other characters in The Night Sender is rewarding and makes me want to keep writing.
What’s your favorite family tradition?
I’m actually a big fan of traditions and we had quite a few growing up, some of which I imposed on everyone! But my favorite was probably decorating the Christmas tree. Every year, my father and I would find the perfect tree, and then we’d all spend the night in the living room putting up lights and ornaments, listening to Christmas music, and sipping hot chocolate. It made the house warm and cheery and during the month of December, we’d spend more time in that room together as a family than any other time of the year.
If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
I’d go all the way back to around 50BC. I’ve always been fascinated by Ancient Egyptian culture, so I’d love to see firsthand what it was like, and 50BC is right around the time Cleopatra came into power.
What is one thing you will never do again?
I’m more of a “never say never” type of person…
If you could hire someone to help you, would it be with cleaning, cooking, or yard work? Anything else?
Definitely cooking. I love the experience of eating. I am that person who, when something tastes amazing, has to stop and pause, close my eyes, and lose myself in the moment enjoying the array of flavors teasing my tongue. To have a chef preparing different dishes every day would be a dream.
About The Night Sender
Who are the night senders? Where do they come from? Why are they so shrouded in secrecy?
These are the questions Rose Woodburn desperately wants answered.
At midnight on her 18th birthday, Rose, like all ladies of the court, receives a visit from one of the night senders. It is a coming of age rite she has been warned to fear, but Rose, always defiant, is not scared. She’s fascinated by these creatures.
When the visit awakens a part of her she never knew existed, Rose begs her night sender, Roosha, to return. But Roosha, condemned to a life of servitude, is bound by sacred law never to see her again.
Undeterred, Rose embarks on a mission to uncover the secrets surrounding these mystical creatures and their true purpose—a mission that will reveal far more than she bargained for and forge an unlikely alliance. But can it be trusted?
Obsessed with discovering the truth, Rose finds herself on a harrowing path of self-discovery and drawn into an affair so forbidden, its punishment is a fate far worse than death.
Tell us a little about the book. How did you come up with the idea for The Night Sender?
One day, I woke up in the middle of the night with the idea for The Night Sender on my mind. It’s crazy because at that point in time I wasn’t thinking about writing a book. Still, I turned on the light, scribbled the details down on paper, and went back to sleep. The next morning, when I read what I wrote I thought it was crazy, yet here we are. Thankfully, I had a friend who convinced me to see this story through.
Roosha (and the other night senders) have one of a kind appearance. Was it something you knew from the start or did it take a while to figure out the perfect look for the creatures? What made you choose this particular appearance for them?
Their general appearance came to me when I had the initial idea for the book. However, after reading the first version of the story, one of my readers, who is also an excellent writer, said she wanted to feel more attracted to Roosha. That comment prompted more emphasis on his preferred male features… his chiseled physique, long hair, and his voice. There is something sexy about a deep, smooth voice. I’ve always enjoyed Greek mythology, in particular, pegasus and centaurs, and that helped shape the night senders. Because they must remain covert, I thought having their skin blend against the night sky was practical and also painted a great image for the reader when imagining them soaring above Dover unseen.
Growing up in the society of Dover as a court lady, would you dread your 18th birthday or look forward to it?
I will withhold answering this question until the final book is released…
Which of the characters did you have the most fun writing?
Vivianna. In many ways, she has the most layers to her character, many of which have yet to be seen.
About writing
What is one of the most interesting things you have researched while writing a book?
I researched the difference between fatal head blows and ones that would knock someone out cold.
What were your expectations for writing and publishing your first book? Have they changed since then?
My original expectations were to get an agent and a publisher, but after speaking with several industry professionals, I decided to self-publish. I didn’t really know what to expect initially; I was just proud of myself for putting my work out into the world. But for the second book in this series, I have higher expectations because I understand and have already been through the process.
How long have you considered yourself a writer? Did you have any formal training, or is it something you learned as you went
I’ve considered myself a copywriter for years now, but it wasn’t until I published The Night Sender that I really gave myself credit for being a writer (which makes no sense and I do NOT recommend doing that! You do not need to publish a book to be a writer.) I’ve never taken a creative writing course. I’ve done plenty of different forms of writing in school, as a marketing/communications professional, and as a hobby in my spare time. My legal education greatly enhanced my writing abilities.