#WritersCoffeeClub June 12: What passions appear in your work?

Lots! I try to slip in descriptions or activities like cooking, gardening, tea drinking, hiking, lots of nature and animals. Every book so far featured a different animal, some with magical abilities. But these are all subservient to the plot!

#ScribesAndMakers June 11: "How much do you worry about what others think of your creative work?"

I made the decision to self- publish, and so don't really care. That said, I've had very few critics so far. I DO care if my readers are entertained, and learn something new, or feel something or experience empathy. I mainly do it for myself and my creative outlet.

#WritersCoffeeClub How arbitrary are the names in your work?

They are not! I find keywords that describe the player's character, then translate them into different languages, then riff on that. For my kids spy book (Clawed: The Spy Cat), there were animal agents, and I was inspired by South African rhyming names, so made up a bunch of those that were just too silly!

#WritersCoffeeClub June 10: What is the greatest pleasure of your writerly life?

Having such an amazing creative outlet! My mind needs it - creating fantasy and living inside my head, it relieves a lot of stress from everyday life, especially now.

#WritersCoffeeClub June 2: What do you hope sticks with a reader long after?

The emotions I stirred in their souls. An inkling that empathy helps us understand each other.

#WritersCoffeeClub May 30: What do you do when you're "stuck"?

Walk away. I take a break - sometimes, for a month or more! So often, real life intervenes and writing takes a back seat. But I always come home to it eventually!

#WordWeavers Day 29: What would your antagonists do if they were given a bouquet of flowers?

Their first thought would be to stomp on it. But they would most likely sell it for a profit, being greedy sons of bees.

#ScribesAndMakers May 25: Stella had been dreading this moment...

She had been masquerading as a manatee for years. But balmy climes had enticed her to shed her protective skins, allowing her mermaidness to be on full view. It was then that Tristen happened to see her, from behind some rocks. Stealthily, he crept closer, until...

#WordWeavers May 24: If your characters were pets, what would they be and how would they react?

Most likely, quiet indignation, then a sudden urge to flee!

Most of my kidlit stories center on an animal. It helps kids have empathy towards creatures and learn about nature. What do animals think?

#WordWeavers May 23: If your antagonists came with warning labels, what would they be?

Do not attempt to pet!

(See my pinned post for the answer)...