Tiffany attended the University of Missouri – Columbia, attaining two degrees in History and Social Studies Education. After working many years as an instructor and consultant in the Information Technology field, Tiffany now writes full-time.Tiffany loves to read and has been reading romance novels since she was way too young to read such things. She has an unhealthy obsession for all things Doctor Who, prefers Pepsi to Coke and Absolut to both, thinks men who drink girly cocktails are wusses, has learned to never stop believing in her beloved St. Louis Cardinals, and can recite the entire scripts of When Harry Met Sally and Apollo 13. George Washington is cool, Bon Jovi still rocks the house, and Bruce Willis is the ultimate alpha-male hero.
Married with two wonderful daughters, Tiffany and her family make their home in Kansas City, Missouri, not far from where she was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.
1) What is the first book you read that comes to mind? Why is it so important to you?
Nancy Drew, The
Hidden Staircase. It was my first “real” book and began my love affair
with reading. I devoured the Nancy Drew series and my character Kathleen
Turner in the Kathleen Turner Series was an homage to Nancy.
Hidden Staircase. It was my first “real” book and began my love affair
with reading. I devoured the Nancy Drew series and my character Kathleen
Turner in the Kathleen Turner Series was an homage to Nancy.
2) What made you start writing books?
I
got really frustrated with Janet Evanovich and Stephanie Plum. I love
that series, but grew frustrated as a reader that Stephanie never would
choose a man—Morelli or Ranger. So I decided I’d write my own love
triangle series of five books and the heroine would choose the right man
at the end. So I did.
got really frustrated with Janet Evanovich and Stephanie Plum. I love
that series, but grew frustrated as a reader that Stephanie never would
choose a man—Morelli or Ranger. So I decided I’d write my own love
triangle series of five books and the heroine would choose the right man
at the end. So I did.
3) In your opinion, what is the most important feature a book needs to have?
Relatable
characters. There has to be something for a reader to be able to
understand and relate to in the main character. That creates empathy and
attachment and helps the reader enjoy the story more, in my opinion.
characters. There has to be something for a reader to be able to
understand and relate to in the main character. That creates empathy and
attachment and helps the reader enjoy the story more, in my opinion.
4) What author/actor or musician do you ‘fangirl/fanboy’ over?
I’ve
been so very fortunate to have met some lovely authors that I’ve read
and admired for years. Eloisa James is a wonderful, gracious lady, as is
Lisa Kleypas. I had an unexpected dinner with them at RWA and it was
one of the highlights of my life. I’ve also fangirled terribly over Lee
Child, with a terrible case of diarrhea of the mouth even as I was
telling myself to shut up shut up shut up! But he was gracious as well and tolerated my star struck verboseness.
been so very fortunate to have met some lovely authors that I’ve read
and admired for years. Eloisa James is a wonderful, gracious lady, as is
Lisa Kleypas. I had an unexpected dinner with them at RWA and it was
one of the highlights of my life. I’ve also fangirled terribly over Lee
Child, with a terrible case of diarrhea of the mouth even as I was
telling myself to shut up shut up shut up! But he was gracious as well and tolerated my star struck verboseness.
5) What does your perfect writing day look like? Do you plan when and how long you write, or does it happen without planning?
I
definitely have to plan to write. I have two kids and as all moms know,
when you’re at home, there’s a million things that call for your
attention. From laundry to groceries, errands to cleaning. So my typical
day is up at six-thirty to get lunches ready for school, have my
coffee, scroll through email, and get the kids off to school. Then I
work from about nine until five or later, though if there’s a deadline
looming, chances are good I’ll have my computer on my lap for twelve
hours a day, seven days a week.
definitely have to plan to write. I have two kids and as all moms know,
when you’re at home, there’s a million things that call for your
attention. From laundry to groceries, errands to cleaning. So my typical
day is up at six-thirty to get lunches ready for school, have my
coffee, scroll through email, and get the kids off to school. Then I
work from about nine until five or later, though if there’s a deadline
looming, chances are good I’ll have my computer on my lap for twelve
hours a day, seven days a week.
6) What genre is the most intimidating when you think about writing in it? Explain why!
Definitely
urban fantasy or paranormal. It’s one of my favorite genres to read and
I can’t imagine having that kind of creativity! I’m in awe of those who
can create whole worlds that suck me in.
urban fantasy or paranormal. It’s one of my favorite genres to read and
I can’t imagine having that kind of creativity! I’m in awe of those who
can create whole worlds that suck me in.
7) What do you like to do when you are not writing? What do you think your profession would be if you were not an author?
I
like to spend time with my kids, I love to travel, and reading is
always high on my list of guilty pleasures when I should be working. Lol Before I was an author, I was a network engineer and worked as a system administrator and consultant.
like to spend time with my kids, I love to travel, and reading is
always high on my list of guilty pleasures when I should be working. Lol Before I was an author, I was a network engineer and worked as a system administrator and consultant.
8) What is the most touching reaction you have ever received from a fan?
I
received an email from a fifteen-year-old girl who told me she hated to
read because she was dyslexic. She’d decided to start trying to read
more to help her in school and read my Kathleen Turner Series inside of a
month. Her parents were stunned that she was able to do this and she
told me I’d helped her discover a love for reading because of those
books. It brought tears to my eyes because reading is truly one of the
most amazing pleasures in life and I’m humbled and honored that I was
able to help her find some books that spoke to her.
received an email from a fifteen-year-old girl who told me she hated to
read because she was dyslexic. She’d decided to start trying to read
more to help her in school and read my Kathleen Turner Series inside of a
month. Her parents were stunned that she was able to do this and she
told me I’d helped her discover a love for reading because of those
books. It brought tears to my eyes because reading is truly one of the
most amazing pleasures in life and I’m humbled and honored that I was
able to help her find some books that spoke to her.
9) How much of you and/or your surroundings is a part of your stories?
Is the influence based on a conscious decision, or do you periodically
recognize yourself in one of your characters and it wasn’t planned?
Is the influence based on a conscious decision, or do you periodically
recognize yourself in one of your characters and it wasn’t planned?
I
think there’s a bit of myself in all my characters because otherwise,
it’s incredibly hard to find their voice. The most difficult character
I’ve ever written was Ivy in the Tangled Ivy Trilogy. She is very
different from me, especially in the first book, but even she has shades
of Tiffany in her character.
I also try to write locations that I’ve spent some time in, just
because it’s more authentic and I can convey my love and feel of the
place more accurately.
think there’s a bit of myself in all my characters because otherwise,
it’s incredibly hard to find their voice. The most difficult character
I’ve ever written was Ivy in the Tangled Ivy Trilogy. She is very
different from me, especially in the first book, but even she has shades
of Tiffany in her character.
I also try to write locations that I’ve spent some time in, just
because it’s more authentic and I can convey my love and feel of the
place more accurately.
10) What is the most difficult part of writing a book, (including the preparations and after-publication-process)?
Finishing.
I can start lots of books, but pulling together the plot into a good
conclusion and wrapping things up is the hardest part. I especially like
to continue my characters stories in multiple books, so saying goodbye
to them is hard. I grow attached to my characters.
I can start lots of books, but pulling together the plot into a good
conclusion and wrapping things up is the hardest part. I especially like
to continue my characters stories in multiple books, so saying goodbye
to them is hard. I grow attached to my characters.
11)
If you had the chance to influence the questions people ask you in
interviews, what question is the most annoying and you would love to
never hear again? What question would you really like to answer that you
have not been asked yet, and what is your answer to that question?
If you had the chance to influence the questions people ask you in
interviews, what question is the most annoying and you would love to
never hear again? What question would you really like to answer that you
have not been asked yet, and what is your answer to that question?
I
don’t know if there’s ever an annoying question, though some may get a
bit repetitive if I’m doing a lot of interviews. Question I’ve not been
asked that I really want to be asked…I’m sorry to cop-out but I don’t
think I have any! Lol!
don’t know if there’s ever an annoying question, though some may get a
bit repetitive if I’m doing a lot of interviews. Question I’ve not been
asked that I really want to be asked…I’m sorry to cop-out but I don’t
think I have any! Lol!
12) Name three characteristics of your writing style that are important yet different from other authors.
I
adore love triangles. I love playing with more than one hero, usually
the anti-hero, and incorporate that a lot in my stories. I think life is
usually more complicated than just one love interest, especially if I’m
writing a series that takes place over time. People change, events
change, and relationships reflect that.
adore love triangles. I love playing with more than one hero, usually
the anti-hero, and incorporate that a lot in my stories. I think life is
usually more complicated than just one love interest, especially if I’m
writing a series that takes place over time. People change, events
change, and relationships reflect that.
I
also write first-person romantic suspense, which isn’t that common. I
used to not even like first-person. The first book I read told in that
manner was Twilight. Then I read the Southern Vampire Mysteries (Sookie series) and Stephanie Plum and was hooked.
also write first-person romantic suspense, which isn’t that common. I
used to not even like first-person. The first book I read told in that
manner was Twilight. Then I read the Southern Vampire Mysteries (Sookie series) and Stephanie Plum and was hooked.
13) Which of your characters seems to be the most independent, and has taken on a life of their own?
Definitely my most beloved character that fans really enjoyed was Kade Dennon
from the Kathleen Turner Series. That series was my first and those
characters—Kathleen, Blane, and Kade—are very dear to me. They often
appear as “Easter eggs” in my other books, a wink and a smile to readers
who’ve been with me since the beginning.
from the Kathleen Turner Series. That series was my first and those
characters—Kathleen, Blane, and Kade—are very dear to me. They often
appear as “Easter eggs” in my other books, a wink and a smile to readers
who’ve been with me since the beginning.
14) What do you want tell your readers at the end of this interview?
Thank
you for reading and following my series. Romance readers are amazingly
loyal and voracious. I hope they like the last book in the Risky
Business Series.
you for reading and following my series. Romance readers are amazingly
loyal and voracious. I hope they like the last book in the Risky
Business Series.