You may also check our her website, Paws4Thought, to learn more about her books, puzzles and other interests. She also talks to different authors about their work and you may find more titles that interest you.
Now let's hear from Debbie about her work.
1. How did you get
interested in writing?
I’ve been writing
ever since I was small. The first story I remember writing was about turning
into a ladybug (see even back then I liked shapeshifters). I sent that little
story to the Puffin Post and got a mention in the magazine. I was so thrilled.
2. What inspired you to come
up with this story?
Back in October 2012 I had
an idea about a young girl receiving a silver cat charm from her grandmother. I
knew the charm was important and over the next month the story started enfolding
in my head. I went to the zoo with my son that month and I started telling him
the story of P.A.W.S. and then the next month in
November I began writing the first draft as part of NaNoWriMo (National Novel
Writing Month.)
3. Tell me about the main
character, Miri, and what inspired you to create her.
Miri’s a lot like me. She’s
clumsy, messy and spends a lot of her childhood in a dream world of her own
creation. She’s also bullied as a kid, as was I, and a lot of her experiences
are based on my own (though sadly I don’t have magic, other than maybe writing
my stories.)
4. What characters, other
than Miri, did you find enjoyable to write as you progressed with the book?
Oh, I love my characters –
the good and the evil and those in between. Some of my favorites include Joey
Marks, the animagus kangaroo exchange student from Australia (who I created for
my son, Joey, who shares a lot of his characteristics), Ian the animagus chimp
that lives in St. Louis zoo, and my old wild Welsh warlock, Gromer the Green,
who first appears in book 2 of the P.A.W.S. Saga, Argentum.
5. What are some of the
themes you explored in writing the book?
Each book in the series has
a slightly different focus. In book 1, there is a underlying theme of rising up
to bullies and abusers, both for teens and adults.
6. What were some things you
learned as you wrote and edited the book?
That I can do it! All
through my life I’ve written stories, BUT until P.A.W.S. I’d started many but
never managed to finish a novel. With P.A.W.S. I took the NaNoWriMo challenge
for the first time and that helped me get the story down and keep going until I
reached the end of the first draft.
7. What do you find is the
right environment for you to write?
By my computer in the
morning with the internet turned off. The internet (and particularly Facebook)
is my biggest distraction.
8. Are there specific
programs or tools you find useful in helping you with the writing process?
Just a lot of tea (and the
occasional bribe of dark chocolate.)
9. What have you found to be
useful methods for promoting your writing?
My best promo for ebooks is
a combination of occasional 99 cents sales for the ebooks (like the one I’m
having now) with a little paid advertising. I also enjoy doing real life events
at schools, bookstores, libraries and conventions. I’m doing several of these
in April to help release my new picture book, Adana the Earth Dragon.
10. What are some famous
books or authors you enjoyed or have inspired you?
Favorite authors include
Douglas Adams, JK Rowling, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, and Cornelia Funke.
11. Are there any aspiring
or independent authors whose books you've read that you've liked and think
others should check out?
Oh yes, these days I mostly
read indie authors. Some of my favorites include R.R. Virdi, E.A. Copen, Jen
Ponce, Rebecca Jaycox, Michelle Proulx, Mirren Hogan, Misha Burnett, M.A. Ray,
and Robert Franks. Really guys, check these out. They are awesome.
12. What advice would you
give to those who want to write a novel before they get started?
Just do it. I’m a cancer
survivor. For years I thought that writing a novel would be something I’d do in
the future, once the kids were older and I had more time. Going through cancer
treatment taught me that if I really wanted to write and publish I needed to do
it now because you never know how long you’ve got. So new writer, sit down at
your computer or with pen and paper and start writing words. (Oh and try
NaNoWriMo – Camp Nano is in April and is a great way to get started.)
13. I've seen you written
several anthologies as well -- in general, what do you find enjoyable about
writing these anthologies?
I’ve put together a few
short story collections of my own. (Tea & Dark Chocolate, Will There Be
Watermelons on Mars? and Tales from P.A.W.S.) Plus I’ve participated in a
number of group anthologies including the Sins of Time series of which I’m not
just a contributor, but also the editor of the series.
I like writing short stories in between working on my novels as it gives me the opportunity to experiment in other genres. My main series is YA urban fantasy, but in my stories I’ve dabbled in humor, sci-fi, horror and a little literary fiction.
I like writing short stories in between working on my novels as it gives me the opportunity to experiment in other genres. My main series is YA urban fantasy, but in my stories I’ve dabbled in humor, sci-fi, horror and a little literary fiction.
14. Tell me more about
Paws4Puzzles and the work that Yuri Shamne provides for your site.
When I’m not writing fiction
I write puzzles for Penny Press magazines and sometimes create custom puzzles
of different kinds for clients. Paws4Puzzles is puzzle central, where the puzzly part of me takes over.
I recently was privileged to
meet the Russian artist and puzzler, Yuri Shamne, online. I was wowed by his
talent and now we’re collaborating in a weekly column on blog, Wednesdays with
Yuri.
15. I can tell you are a cat
lover -- tell me what it is you like the most about cats.
Well, they’re furry and
cute, but also independent. My kitty, Miri Billie Joe, mostly likes to do her
own thing, but appreciates having some human servants around to do her bidding.
16. What are some of the
differences you noticed about life in the United Kingdom versus life in the
United States?
Little things that bug me.
In England you can pretty much get a warm drink (tea and coffee) at any
restaurant. Here I have to search. And even more so for vegetarian food. London
is about a gazillion times more veggie friendly than St. Louis. I enjoy London
a lot when I visit each year. But my friends over there say it’s because I
don’t live there full time. Circumstances led to me moving to the States and
while I don’t hate it I don’t like the current mood since the election.
17. What was it like to live
in Israel and how does that compare to other places you've lived?
Ah … Israel. I lived in
Israel for eight years and my mum still lives there, so I go back and visit
each year. There are obviously many differences, but one of the main ones that strikes
me is that in Israel there’s more spontaneity less planning. In Israel it was
not unusual for friends to come by without making advanced plans and I’d do the
same. Here (and in England) it would be odd to turn up on someone’s doorstep
without calling first.
18. Is there a particular
type of tea you prefer -- and do you find it's the perfect drink to have while
you are writing?
I get through about a gallon
of hot tea a day especially when I’m writing. I like it strong, British style
with milk. (Tetley’s or PG Tips)
19. Tell me a little more
about your family and in what ways they support your writing.
I live in St. Louis with my
husband (who is a St. Louis native and how I ended up here), son, daughter and
the really ruler of the household, our kitty, Miri Billie Joe.
My kids are immensely
helpful when it comes to my writing. My daughter often acts a sounding board
for my ideas and encourages me to write. In fact it was she who originally
encouraged me to start writing P.A.W.S. My son, Joey is my puzzle partner. We
wrote a puzzle book together, Paws 4 Logic, and plan another in the
future.
20. Who would win a battle
of superhero skills: Superman, Batman or Wonder Woman?
Wonder Woman for the win!
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