Romance, Spice, Everything nice! Faceless Businesswoman #5

What is your Job Title?

Indie romance author

Did you get a degree, and if so is it directly related to your field, if no, what is your degree in?

I actually didn't get a degree in creative writing. I went to school for journalism. Buuuuut I

dropped out and happily became a stay-at-home mom.

How long have you worked in your industry?

I published my first novel, Falling In, in 2015.

How did you get started in your industry?

I've always been a writer. Always had stories in my head. Momhood kinda silenced those stories

for a little while until my kids started school and my husband was deployed. Those stories that I

kept at bay started screaming at me so loud I had no choice but to listen.

What do you wish people knew about your industry?

How hard it is to break through. Especially as a woman of color who writes interracial romance.

The market is just so competitive. And I feel like I'm always ten steps behind but I just keep

writing because I love it and I have the best readers ever who are incredibly patient with my

flaky slow-writing ass.

What advice would you give someone looking for their place in your industry?

Don't be afraid to ask for help. It's something I still struggle with but I'm working on it lol. Also,

connect with as many authors and readers as you can. The book community can be incredibly

beautiful and support. Find your tribe. I don't know what I'd do without mine.

What do you think are essential qualities for someone to possess if they are interested in working in your industry?

Driven but patient. Thick skinned–reviews can be brutal sometimes (but also the greatest gift

ever). Supportive and collaborative. Willing to listen and take criticism.

What is the hardest part of your career/industry/job for you?

It's just hard to keep up. Between social media, trending tropes, book releases, and promoting,

and writing, and reading because you can't write without reading. It can be overwhelming.

Trying to find the calm in th storm can be tricky and exhausting. But the second your book

comes out, all that shit fades away and you just feel joy and pride and relief. It's all worth it in

the end.

What is the most fun part of your career/industry/job for you?

Connecting with readers. Getting DMs with highlighted sections of your books. A review that hits

just right. Gah! I love it!

If you could change one thing about your business/industry what would it be?

I wish there was enough room at the table for everyone.

If you could do it all over again would you still want to end up where you are now?

I love where I am now but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to reach more readers and grow as

an author. I still have goals that I haven't reached yet. But I'm proud of where I am.

If you could meet any businesswoman who would she be and why?

Rihanna. Haha. But for real though. She just has this gives-zero-fucks energy that is inspiring.

She makes unexpected choices. She's creative and inclusive. She does things on her own

terms and schedule. She's one hundred percent herself and I am so here for it.

What is the worst advice you've ever gotten, or in hindsight given? Did the advice hinder

or embolden your advances?

What does your typical daily schedule look like?

I wake up at 5:30 am. Drink coffee/read/post/scroll on IG or TikTok.

5:45am: Wake up my teens–London and Jude

6am: Make sure the teens are actually up and getting ready. Wake up my little dudes–Harrison

and Max. Feed them breakfast.

6:30am: Get the teens out the door/work out

7am: shower/get dressed for work/make sure the little dudes are ready to go

7:45am: get the kids to the bus/head to work

8am-1pm: work

1-4:30pm: write/errands/whatever the fuck else I need to do before my kids get home.

4:30-7:30pm: Dinner/homework/pack lunches

7:30pm: Book time with littles

8pm: Littles bed time

8:30pm: Hang with my hubs

10:30 pm: Bedtime

What does work/life balance mean to you? And how do you personally achieve it?

Making boundaries. I try to do the bare minimum of social during the weekends. Weekends are

for my family. I also cut off social in the evenings. I try to do the bulk of my writing while my kids

are at school but sometimes that isn't possible and thank goodness for my amazing husband

who holds it down when I need to squeeze in writing during the weekends.

What does self care mean to you? How often do you take time for self care, or is it not

important for you?

Self-care to me is taking time out to decompress. To do things that bring you joy. I read. I go on

walks. Listen to pods. I rewatch New Girl or watch my many sports teams/F1 hot boys. I do

family gamenight with my kids and I laugh (and do grown things) with my husband. That i

my self-care.

How do you show yourself care and compassion while ruling your world?

That is something I have to work at every day. I'm learning to celebrate the littles wins just as

much as the big ones.

How often do you schedule time off and vacations?

Well I have four kids, so not often. But we do little things like family hikes. Date night every

Friday with my husband. Family gamenight/movie night every weekend. We make the best of it

for sure.

What did you do for your last vacation or time off?

We went to Vegas this summer! It was so much fun.

Are you a life planner or do you let it go with the flow?

As a mom of four, I have to plan a little. Buuuuut I am a go-with-the-flow type by nature. It's a

constant struggle lol

If a planner, what is the next goal you are going to hit?

I'm dying to get that bestseller tag, girl! I've been close but no cigar.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

When I was little little, Kit from A League of their Own. When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a

Rolling Stone or Nylon writer.

Fun additional questions - lightning round style (quick answers):

Favorite Book: Act Your Age Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Favorite band/singer: Elliot Smith was my fave growing up. But rn my go-tos rn are Leon

Bridges, Beyonce, Kane Brown, Megan Thee Stallion, Two Feet.

Favorite Hobby: Reading. Hiking. Dancing. Ya girl loves to shake dat ass.

Favorite Food: A good burger and fries.

Favorite Color: I don't discriminate. I love all the colors!

What’s the weirdest/funniest thing in your bag for work: I literally keep post-its with me at all times. My desk is covered in them.

Secret Talent: I can pick up anything with my toes.

Best life hack: Wine.

A Mundane thing about you: I've never stopped watching Grey's Anatomy.

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