Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
While I am Scottish, I have lived all over the world because my father was in the forces, and we moved from country to country as I grew up. I think that this helped me to understand different cultures and to see other civilizations and how we connect on this big hunk of rock called Earth. As we moved around, starting anew from one place to the next, I would lose myself in books, devouring them, books a constant thing in my life.
I also liked to people watch and make stories about those unknown characters that passed me, creating stories telling of their lives for the amusement of my sister. I learned to pay attention and empathize with them (though given the stories I would tell her I hope that their lives were not so complex) and when I started to write I always ensured that the stories were character driven, because rich characters make for a good story that a reader can be part of.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I think the greatest job of writing has to be allowing my imagination free rein to see where it takes me. I create characters that I find interesting. They have flaws, but ultimately redeem themselves, and I enjoy taking a scenario that might seem ‘wrong’ but allowing it to ‘right’ itself in a beautiful and romantic way.
Read more of this interview.