Hi Alexa, and thank you for being here! What sort of research did you do to write this book?

I did a lot of online research for the many different parts to the story. I needed research for the football part and there is a medical part I needed research on. When it came to the wedding, the engagements and all the event planning I knew from first hand experience, as I had been an event planner. Apart from my own experience I loved watching all the wedding and marriage shows, which helped to get ideas as did reading other novels.

What are you working on now?

I am working on the sequel to With Love, Ella and another Novel that is different from the With Love, Ella series. I will probably be doing a few stories in the With Love, Ella series with some of the side characters.

Do you have a day job, or what was your job before you started writing full time?

I am working as a writer full time, but before I took it full time I was an Event Planner. I liked event planning and thought it was my dream job, but then I realized it wasn’t for me and decided to follow my passion as a writer.

What started you on the path to writing?

When I was younger I always used to write letters and cards to my family. I even wrote songs and sent them into Hollywood Records thinking I was great at singing when I really wasn’t. In school throughout the years I would have projects where I would have to write short stories, or mini fiction and it was always my favorite. I even tried to write a novel my senior year of high school, but I ended up with writers block and couldn’t finish it. My junior year of college I had this idea for a story and decided to give it a shot and it turned out to be With Love, Ella. I realized that writing has always been there it just took me a while to realize it was what I was meant to do.

What do your friend and family think about your being a writer?

My friends and my family are all very supportive of my writing. They are very excited about my journey and what lies ahead.

What was the biggest surprise you had after becoming a writer?

My biggest surprise was that I could actually write a full novel and keep writing novel after novel with no ending in sight. I just published my first one and I already wrote my first draft of book two and I am working draft one of book three. I was also surprised that as many people liked my novel I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out.

Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?

I am for sure more of an outliner. It helps me to stay focused and on task. Of course I will still change it as time goes on, but I at least know where I want my novel to go and it helps to steer clear from writer’s block.

What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?

I think one of the most rewarding experiences as an author is when people tell you, or review how much they loved your book and how they emotionally connected with your characters because they are like your family. When something happens to them it happens to you whether it is good or bad.

How long does it take to write a story?

It takes anywhere from a month to three months depending how many chapters the book is and if I am able to write everyday or if everyday life gets in the way.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I like to spend time with friends and family, I like to read to get more inspiration, I like to travel, I like to go to concerts, drink wine and meet new people.

If you were stranded on a deserted island and can have only 2 people with you, a person from your books and a person from any other book, which would they be?

I would want to be with Ella Chambers from my novel and Cate Forbes from the novel Cruel and Beautiful by Terri E. Laine and A. M. Hargrove.

Pen or computer?

Computer.

Music or silence?

Silence.

Is marriage outdated?

I don’t think it has been outdated, I think it has just changed just like the way the dating scene has changed. Years ago one-time marriages were more common and divorces were less common. Now times have changed divorces are always happening, which makes marriages feel not as special.

What famous person would you like to have dinner with?

I would want to have dinner with Zac Efron. He has been my favorite actor since I was younger and I have grown up as he has. I have seen him change from Troy Bolton to Ted Bundy and I think it would be amazing to talk to him about his transformation.

Thank you, Alexa!

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