What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Dark Tide?
I’ve been a scuba diver for about 30 years, and I wanted people who don’t dive to get a chance to see how amazing it is. And I love writing mysteries. Tada! The Fin Fleming Sea Adventure series was born.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Dark Tide, what would they be?
Pretty much anything by Jimmy Buffet.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I love reading mysteries, but I read a lot of SciFi and YA too.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
C. Michele Dorsey’s Salt Water Wounds, Andrew Mayne’s Sea Storm, Nick Sullivan’s Deep Devil, Elly Griffiths The Locked Room, Gregg Hurwitz Don’t Look Back, and Spencer Quinn’s Short Tails, among about a thousand others.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
When Fin goes diving with Chaun and he chases the manta rays and she has to rescue him because he gets nitrogen narcosis.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
My dog Molly usually sleeps on my feet, which is cozy and warm. Also, I keep a spreadsheet with a pie chart of my progress on each book. Whenever I get stuck, I have to update the spreadsheet so the pie chart advances. It helps me see how far I’ve come and so I know I can do this.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
I pretty much live by the golden rule. I try not to hurt anyone or anything if I can help it.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
The ocean is a fragile and beautiful place, and our lives–and the lives of thousands of amazing creatures–depend on it.
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