You say it took six years of submissions (and rejections!) to sell your first novel. Why didn’t you self-publish or e-publish on your own?

Because I always had the goal of being a professionally published author. To me that meant that I would be paid for my work, not the other way around—me paying to have anyone print or sell my work. As the market changes e-publishing is exploding and can be a legitimate way to sell stories, and I for one am grateful that even after my category series romances are off the shelf (after only 1 month) they remain available on Amazon and eharlequin.com in electronic format. But I will always pursue the largest advance I can for my work.

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Where do your ideas come from?

This has to be the most common question people ask me and other writers, and the answer is different for all of us. For me, my characters usually come to me first. They show up like snippets of films in different settings, and from there I start the hard work. Hours and months and pages of notes and rough drafts to see what shape the story really is, where the characters will go through the story.

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To what do you credit your success?

Perseverance. Great mentors. Networking. Bottom line: having a saleable product. I’ve watched so many writers quit after receiving yet another rejection. This isn’t a business for anyone who needs instant gratification. My satisfaction has to come from the process of putting the story down on paper, or I’d never make it.

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How do you manage the demands of your Navy family lifestyle and writing?

Like every other woman who has more to do that sit in front of computer and write 24 hrs/day. I prioritize as best I can but still find myself writing in spurts around the activities of my family. It’s gotten easier as my kids have grown but they still require care and feeding! I’m also big on finding time just for Geri—the gym, yoga class, a walk.

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What do you do for fun?

I’m an avid knitter and when in the States you can find me trolling through Local Yarn Shops within a 100 mile radius on the weekends. I love learning languages and have had the privilege of studying Spanish, French, Italian and Russian. A cup of tea or coffee with my husband in a café is always a joy.

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How old are you and what do you weigh?

At nineteen and twenty-three when I entered and graduated from the Naval Academy, respectively, I weighed 119 lbs. Is that what you asked? Seriously, today I am ageless and happy in my body.