This is one of those icebreaker questions in workshops that introvert-me never knows how to answer, and when it comes my turn, I overcompensate by sharing inappropriately. Ha! The truth is, there isn’t anything unique or interesting about me. I’ve been writing since I was a kid because it was my way to process my environment. Did I know that I was creating my own therapy as a kid? No. Was I writing sexually explicit content at the age of twelve? Yes. Did that make me a writer then? Who knows? But I was popular with my friends who read my stories (not inappropriate ones; those were secret.)

In high school, it morphed into what I suppose would be considered fan fic today: entertainment pieces for my friends hooking up with their rock star crushes. I did write a friend into a pirate story and I had him captured and unalived for piracy. He thought it was awesome to be a villain who died in one of my stories. 

I stopped writing when I was in a relationship. For 11 years, that outlet was stunted. Literally, the day I sent him on his way, I sat down and the words came flowing out. Book one (which will never be published) was written. I wrote Turbulence (now a series, Entanglement and Tranquility) next. I moved to Minnesota and started writing Those Who Are Bound when a character named Mac made himself known and I had to stop writing Those Who Are Bound to write Mac’s story. 

After Mac’s story was finished, I immediately returned to Those Who Are Bound. And then I was in a grocery store in St Paul and the flash drive (on a key chain) was pick pocketed. Copies of my manuscripts were on the flash drive, so a writer friend of mine told me to copyright immediately and publish in order to protect my work.

So, now I am a published author. And I have moved to California. 

Chaos. Ha! I don’t know that I have a process. When I have a moment, or the words come, I open up my laptop, zone out, and write. I’d liken it to meditation.

I work a demanding and fulfilling full-time-plus job. Writing is the therapy/hobby and side hustle. Beyond these two things, when I get the chance, I do like to travel. As my bio states, Puerto Rico is a go-to. I am determined to get back to Ireland soon, however.

I suffer something along the lines of anxiety. Writing is still my therapy, so when one story is complete, I need another to move on to. If I don’t have anything brewing, then it’s less of a celebration and more of a meltdown, lol.

 I don’t. It’s just me, so I hit the button and that’s that. Ta-da. I’m sorry the answer isn’t more exciting.

I was writing Those Who Are Bound when Jonah’s (TWAB) personality started to change. And I started dreaming about this absolute prick. Jonah is a cinnamon roll/golden retriever and not this abrasive, crude, womanizing dude who kept interrupting.

So I sat back and concentrated on this guy. And he showed me his horrible cabin, his view of the lake, and the dog he stole. I wasn’t able to write out his story fast enough. I’d been around military personnel—worked in a veteran’s affairs hospital—and in the course of my life have had conversations with soldiers detailing their trauma. This story is not theirs. I was hesitant to publish it, even, but I had a veteran read it (I’d of course spoken with military medical personnel and read peer reviewed journals) and he liked it; found the PTSD part “gripping.” 

How did it come about? Mac wanted to tell me a story, so I told it. I consider the Turbulence Series to be Brit’s story. Those Who Are Bound is more Elliott’s than Jonah’s. But this one is Mac’s. 

Not in this book, no.

Making sure I wasn’t glorifying PTSD or using it gratuitously. Also, Mac is part Puerto Rican, as is his friend, Grady. I did pull the original, Alive Day, and had it sensitivity read; I’d hyper-focused on the veteran side and trauma, I hadn’t done my full due diligence. I effed up. Once I realized it, I pulled the publication. I also took the opportunity to cut 16.5k words. Amber, my sensitivity reader, brought out Mac and Grady is ways that enrich the story. I’m so grateful and thankful for that and her perspective.

Basically anytime Mac and Cassidy interacted; their sparring.

None; this is all Mac-driven.

So many favorites with these two; they are my comfort read. But here’s one:

“’Lijah,” she said into the room, adjusting the jacket over her shoulders, as it

seemed determined to slip off her, his arms refusing to hold her. She tugged

it back up as tears started streaming down her cheeks. “Elijah!”

Tears turned into sobs. She clapped her hand over her mouth, the other

across her chest, holding onto the now-weighty jacket. She bowed her head,

shoulders heaving with her tears as the song played. It was too much, the

reminder, the loss, the empty room that was supposed to be filled with him,

with them, instead of an empty jacket and clothes that no longer held him.

Her knees buckled beneath her. But before she could fall, a hand, warm

and strong, was pressing into her stomach and pulling her back up, pulling

her against an even warmer, stronger body. She sucked in a breath; her body

responded with an electric surge.

The jacket was gently pulled from her clutches and tossed aside as she felt

his breath, heard his voice in her ear, low and gentle, “Cutting in, sweetheart.”

Britton, from the Turbulence Series, Entanglement and Tranquility. I’d just give her a hug and tell her I’m proud of her for coming out okay on the other side.