Q1: Have you always wanted to be an author? Does it come easily to you, or do you struggle?
Answer: I don't remember when I first realized I wanted to become an author. It was always my back-up plan. First, I would pursue a socially acceptable career. Then, if those things didn’t work out as anticipated or when I retired, I’d let myself give in to the indulgence of writing fiction. It's how my father came to be an author, so it seemed like the path I had to follow.

Writing has always come easily to me. So much so that it doesn't feel like work. Maybe that's why it took me a long time to accept that it was a legitimate career option.

I'd like to think that I would have found my way to this life even if 2020 hadn't unfolded the way it did. But, in truth, it's likely that it would have taken me much longer. It's one of those unexpected Covid silver linings.

Q2: How did I go from writing a first-person blog to writing fiction?
Answer: While I was working full time as an administrative assistant, blogging gave me a much-needed creative outlet. More importantly, it allowed me to connect with other parents of young children and writers sharing similar experiences. My favorite part about blogging was the emails I’d occasionally receive from readers thanking me for sharing such relatable stories.

That, on top of everything I have done professionally, from blogging regularly for over fifteen years, to writing and publishing a first book with an indie publisher (a RomCom called Aloha Also Means Goodbye, which is seriously lacking in anything paranormal or magical, but is nevertheless quite entertaining), to marketing, to being an office manager has led me to where I am today.

Analyzing and dissecting my life and my experiences to write authentic and relatable blog posts back then allows me to write well-rounded, authentic characters today.

Creating social media promotion plans for various clients taught me how to connect and engage with my own online community.

And writing ad copy for an ad agency for years gave me just enough knowledge to craft my own ads.

I don't usually ascribe to the adage that everything happens for a reason, but when it comes to my author journey, it’s hard to deny that it’s true.

Q3: How important is the support of my family to my writing?
Answer: I couldn't do what I do without my family’s support. My kids help me brainstorm plot points when I get stuck, and my husband is the first person to read any of my completed books. He has a knack for knowing which scenes don't work and how I can fix them.

But, more than anything, my family's unwavering belief in me is what makes it all possible. They give me the space I need to write, encouragement when the words don't come, and they rarely complain when we're having pizza for the third time in a week because I've gotten lost in a fictional world and written through dinner prep again.

Q4: What does success as an author look like to me?
Answer: I started writing my paranormal women's fiction series in the dark days of 2020 because I missed hanging out with my friends over coffee. Between my husband, my two teens, the cat, the dog, and the guide dog puppy we raised through most of 2020, I was rarely, if ever, truly alone. And yet, I was so lonely, I had to create a group of imaginary friends to keep me company.

When the world opened up again, I discovered that I wasn't the only one craving friendship and connection. For most of us, that yearning didn't pass even when hanging out in person was possible again.

I feel successful when readers reach out to thank me for writing stories that make them feel like they're hanging out with friends. I feel successful when people email to thank me to for writing characters that make them feel like they're not alone with their struggles.

Q5: What inspired my interest in the supernatural?
Answer: When I was much, much younger and spending most of my free time in the school library, I discovered Lois Duncan and her amazing books. She gave me my first taste of the paranormal beyond fairytale witches. Among others, ‘The Third Eye’ was about a girl who could see things that no one else could. ‘Stranger with my Face’ was about a girl with an evil twin who can astral project. The one I remember most clearly is ‘Down a Dark Hall,’ a book about a boarding school for special kids that served as a conduit for dead prodigies of all sorts.

She opened up my eyes to a world not constrained by the usual rules. And once you see what’s outside that box, it's impossible to look back. After all, who doesn't dream of having a little magic in their lives?

Q6: What real life challenges do my characters face that readers can relate to despite not having access to magic?
Answer: The characters in my stories are real people first and witches second. They experience the same highs and lows that we do. They might be able to cast spells and control the elements, but their magic doesn't help them deal with the emotional challenges we all face.

For example, Cassie finds herself suddenly single with a pre-teen daughter. She needs to figure out how to support them both while also trying to regain her footing. Meanwhile, her daughter has to learn how to control her fiery magic while riding a typical hormonal rollercoaster of ups and downs.

Next door, Cassie’s cousin, Juliette, like so many of us, struggles with chronic anxiety and panic disorder. She develops a magical ability that pushes her way out of her comfort zone. The anxiety doesn't go away, but she doesn't let it deter her from doing what she needs.

Q7: What's next?
Answer: Juliette's story might be complete, but there are many more Portney stories to be told. The next series will feature a diner owner with suppressed telepathy powers. Beyond that, I have four other Portney series lined up, but I'm keeping those under wraps for no