• Tell us something about yourself. Something that would make your name stay with us.

I’ve always been a firm believer in fate and astrology. However, believing in life after death is something entirely different. It wasn’t really until 2009, following the death of my mother than I had an epiphany. Literally. I’ve always had ‘experiences’, partly because I’ve lived in a lot of very different houses, some over 250 years old. For most of my life I acknowledged each incident that happened to me then looked for ways of explaining it away. If I couldn’t, then I conveniently filed it away. I never dismissed anything out of hand, because each time it was something unique. I was happy to be a sceptic because ‘coming out’ is the hard part. As a sceptic you have nothing to explain away; as a believer you have no real proof. My husband wouldn’t even talk about it, so I rarely mentioned anything that happened. Then we moved into some converted stables and as soon as I walked inside I knew the old lady was still there with us, watching what we were doing. A short time later my husband had his first experience. It was a while before he started talking about it, but by then he was regularly seeing orbs and we were both feeling the very real dip in the bed when she sat at our feet at night. Even then, it took a couple of years’ until we had moved into another house and began having separate, then joint experiences. The problem with an experience when two people witness or feel it, is that you can’t continue to ignore it or put it down to an over-active imagination. Since that time so much has happened that has been positive and reaffirming, suffice to say we now both believe in life after death. We’ve had enough proof and validation from loved ones to know when they are with us.

• What made you decide to write a book?

My psychic experiences began when I was very young and I have always had a very acute intuition when something is wrong. I gave up my full-time career because I had this building sense of anxiety that my mother wasn’t going to be with us for very long. I had nothing on which to base that feeling and it was a drastic thing for me to walk away from a job I loved. Within three months she died unexpectedly from leukaemia. I was home alone whilst sorting out her affairs and I found myself sitting down and writing that book I always knew I would. I didn’t think I would have the time until I was retired and I certainly didn’t think I would end up writing full-time instead of being in employment. Since the age of eleven I’ve maintained a journal where I write ideas for stories, although while raising my family and then building my working career there was no time to write develop them. I did however write quite a few poems. It’s hard to stop the ideas flowing, but I sensed that one day the time would be right for me to take ‘me time’ and write. I also knew it would then take over my life and it has!

• What is your first ever read? The one that made you fall in love with books?

Well, it has to be The Angelique series by Sergeanne Golon (pen name for Anne Golon). I was much too young to be reading those books and I believe the library assumed I was borrowing them for my mother. I loved the sense of period, history, danger and romance. I also fell in love with The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins and re-read it so many times as a young teen. Both of these authors made me want to create my own world of characters, it’s pure escapism isn’t it?

• What is the hardest part of being an author?

If writing was simply about sitting down and being alone in the study with the characters in your head, life would be a dream. However, I’d probably become a hermit and life would pass me by (laugh) so I realise it’s ‘be careful what you wish for, it might just come true!’ So, all of the other things that go along with the job - like editing, promoting etc are an essential part of the process. Sometimes though you simply have to write and then the other things become distractions when you really want to be at the keyboard working on a new project.

• What are the perks of being an author?

Without a doubt the amazing people you meet on your writing journey. Fellow authors, who are generous in sharing their knowledge, offering help and support. Wonderful book reviewers whose lives revolve around reading new books and spreading the word, the level of professionalism is astounding. Many have very busy lives outside of their reviewing and I applaud them. Also the thrill of receiving a new review, each one is precious. You get to see another person’s perspective of your work and whilst not everyone is going to think what you have written is wonderful, it allows you to take on board comments and continue to improve. I’ve also had some wonderful Emails from fans – and for a new author that is the highest compliment anyone can ever pay you. To touch someone with something you have written to the extent that they contact you personally, is amazing.

• Where did you get the inspiration to give life to your characters?

The Quintessential Gemini was written as a fun, romantic read. I’m a Gemini myself and I know how complicated we are, and how complicated we tend to make our lives! I’ve read my daily horoscopes for over twenty five years and nowadays mine arrives on my Blackberry every night, so I check it before I go to sleep. I like to know what the next day is likely to bring. One night the thought hit me ‘what if someone really did lead their life according to their daily horoscope and what if something went wrong ….’
From there the story evolved quite naturally. I love writing about the way people interact and I usually write from the perspective of several of the characters. I find it interesting glimpsing the different viewpoints. I try very hard to make each character believable, to show the flaws and insecurities, the baggage from the past that often weighs us down. But I also live as an eternal optimist and whilst life can be hard at times, eventually the sun will come out! For me life has one purpose and that is the pursuit of true love. If you are in love with the person you are with, then no matter what happens to you in life you know you can face it. Romance doesn’t dull as a relationship develops, it becomes a much deeper and more meaningful thing.

Giving life to a character is hard, for ‘Familiar Ties’ I picked on various features of people I know and my favourite TV show characters to breathe life into them. I needed to make sure people can relate to them, or knew someone like them. Characters need to have an effect on someone, whether it is a good thing or bad thing you want them to be remembered and have someone say ‘OMG I hate Jack for doing that’ or ‘I’m so happy Cassidy did that’. You want people to emote with your characters otherwise there is no point in writing them if they are going to be 2D and static because without great characters you won’t have a great book.

• Tell us something about yourself. Something that would make your name stay with us.

When people meet me the almost always make reference to Dr. Quinn Medicine woman, Quinn the Eskimo, or The Mighty Quinn.

• What made you decide to write a book?

I have always loved to write but was discroraged by the idea of never getting an agent. Once ebooks became all the rage and something attainable I thought okay, I can do this.

• What is your first ever read? The one that made you fall in love with books?

A Wrinkle in Time

• What is the hardest part of being an author?

Self discipline. Making sure you stay on task when you don't have a boss helping keep you accountable.

• What are the perks of being an author?

Make my own hours, do something I love, meeting all the amazing fans and other authors

• Where did you get the inspiration to give life to your characters?

My high school girlfriends

• When the word 'Hunk' is uttered, who is the first person that comes into your mind?

My husband, no lie, he is mega hot.

• Who is that one "HOT" celebrity you would want to marry? (If you're not married)

Already married to a hottie.

•  If you're going to heaven, who is that ONE person you'd want to be with?

My son

• If you're going to hell, who is that ONE person that you would drag with you?

I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Not since redemption is possible.

Thank you so much Ms. Quinn Loftis for being game to answer those questions! I had a really great time knowing you more. I want to apologize one more time for posting my stop for your tour.

Just One Drop