For Runaway Swimmer, I planned it out a little and did some research, but the writing process itself was very organic. Most of the time, I sit down with an idea and just write. The idea grows and leads and I simply follow. It's almost collaboration between me and the story. We grow and change together.

I understand your writing process is not as high tech as budding authors would expect. You actually use pencil and paper to write. Do you prefer to hand write rather than type?

It has been proved by scientists that there is a creative flow that happens when putting pen to paper that does not occur when typing on a computer. I didn't know that when I first began to write. I just felt more inspired and comfortable that way. But, I can see why people would be more creative making art on the page the way people have for millennia. It's hardwired into us.

On to the business side of things, what steps did you take in attempting to get your first book published? Were you successful? If not, what emotional challenges did you face when you learned that no one wanted to publish your book? Any advice for authors who get rejected the first few times? Or never get published at all?

Don't worry about publication, but try your hardest to get published. I know that's a contradiction, but you have to respect your work enough to try to get published and respect yourself enough to know that if you don't make it the first time, you aren't a failure and you're allowed to try as many times as you like. My recommendation to anyone who wants to get a book published is to buy a Writer's Market or sign-up with Writer's Market online. You'll find up-to-date information on hundreds of reputable publishers capable of publishing your book.

What kind of scams and schemes are out there that new authors are subject to fall for? Did you give in to any of these schemes in your early writing days?

There are more schemes and scams than I can name. The main ones to watch out for are vanity presses and Print On Demand (POD) companies. Vanity Presses are exactly what they sound like. You pay to have your book "published." PODs do the same, except they offer very minute marketing, ISBN, and a few other helpful things that might get your book onto a bookstore bookshelf. But, with both VPs and PODs, you are VERY unlikely to sell any books. You have to watch out for fake competitions, too. There are plenty of reputable publishers and competitions to be found out there in Writer's Market.