I grew up around books and readers. Our home was like the neighborhood library; carrying authors ranging from Enid Blyton to Stephen King, J.K. Rowling to Charles Dickens. I read everything and was well ahead of my peers when in English and Reading. However, despite being a voracious reader I was never inspired to create stories. The only writing I did was class assignments.

I got into writing in college. I was doing a particularly hard course and needed a lighter unit to balance it out and raise my GPA. So I registered for a creative writing class. Basically I was only in that class because it was a ‘bird’ unit a.k.a A’s were flying all around (the lecturer was very generous).

And that’s when I discovered that I could actually do this.

Every time I read a good book, it inspires me to become a better writer. Every time I read a bad book, it challenges me to write the same story but in a better way.

Let’s just say that I discovered my aunt’s secret stash of Stephanie Laurens’ books when I wasn’t quite an adult yet. RIP my innocence lol.

I’m a writer. Anything you say can and will be used in a book.

My ideas come from my daily life experiences; the people I hang out with, the shows I watch, the strangers I see, the books I read… I have so many draft ideas that I’m scared I’ll never be able to write them all in my lifetime.

Themes that regularly come up in my books include redemption, second chances, loyalty and devotion to one’s family. I’ll admit, I have strong feelings about each of these themes. I think everyone is redeemable but that does not mean that we are obligated to give them a second chance – they have to work for that. I think faithfulness, loyalty and friendship are essential for any relationship to work – even more than sexual compatibility.

That being said, I try not to preach in my books. I just let the characters take me where they want.

I can’t help myself.

I love a good plot twist, not to mention I’m addicted to investigative shows. Castle, Elementary, CSI, NCIS, Luther, Psych, Rizzoli & Isles, Mentalist, Monk, Republic of Doyle, Sherlock… if there’s a crime drama out there, I’ve watched it or I’m about to watch it.

I spend such a long time with my characters that inevitably bits of me bleed into them. But mostly they are based on the collection of women in my life. I was fortunate enough to have been birthed by one of the strongest women I know and to have aunts and sisters who are just as strong. Because of them, I naturally gravitate to women and friends who have some spine; be it the ‘in your face’ kind of spine, or the silent strength that only emerges when you push them into a corner.

That’s not to say that my characters can’t be weak or are admirable all the time. Oh, no. They have flaws too. But I try to push them to realize these weaknesses and work on them before my books end.

I choose to write mostly women of color because I’m a woman of color, and we need more books out there that feature us in a positive light.

I live in Nairobi, the cool Capital city in Kenya. It’s a pretty terrific and fast-paced city. Happy, ambitious and welcoming people, delicious but sometimes strange food… and the night life is EVERYTHING. My writing space is a dedicated corner in my living room, though I will sometimes go to the roof of our apartment building if I need a change in scenery.

Now that I’m writing full time, my routine is pretty fixed. As soon as I’m awake (7 or 8) I shower, brew a cup of coffee then sit down to write. I write non-stop until I’ve finished one chapter in whatever book I’m currently writing. Usually I’m done by lunchtime. After that my day is up for grabs; cleaning the house, hanging out, going to the market, gym etc.

Sometimes coupled, sometimes single…. It’s complicated. No kids… or cats

Ha! Wouldn’t you like to know?

A lady does not tell.

Wow! Where do I start? I read everything. From Bette Ford to Liliana Hart, Lindsey Kelk to Mallory Monroe, J-Peach to Elle Wright…. I love reading.

If you’d like to find out what I’m currently reading or to recommend something I should read, then visit my Blog. I always write posts about the books I’m currently reading as well as what I’m watching.