Q: When beginning a new book, do you plot and plan or are you a "seat of the pants" kind of writer? I'm somewhere between the two. I come up with a fairly structured plan-I have to, in order to understand the dynamics between the characters. Also, editors and agents are more comfy if they have a sense of what you're doing. The Princess and the Primordial Ooze Monster might be a tough sell to the marketing department.

On the other hand, once the characters are on stage and doing their thing, the plot can wander away from the plan. It's a judgment call how far to let it stray. Sometimes the surprises are great, sometimes they're the result of too many late nights and skipped meals-in other words, authorial hallucinations best forgotten.

Q:After turning on your computer do you begin writing right away, or do you burn a bit of time by checking email, playing computer games, or employing other dawdling techniques?

I have very limited time, so I'm strict with myself. My settling-in ritual is reading my horoscope and one or two blogs I like. I don't allow more than that or I'd spend the whole night playing instead of writing books. Believe me, I can procrastinate with the best.

Q:If you could change one thing about the way you approach writing a manuscript, what would it be?

Time! I'd love more time! I'm a slow writer. I can't churn a book out every few months and have it up to the standard I want.

Q: It is a dream come true when a writer makes their first sale. What were you doing when you found out about yours? Did you do anything special to celebrate?

I was at my day job when my editor called. Afterward, I went for coffee with my mom and we did a collective "huh?" You work and work to get a publishing contract, but when it does arrive it's kind of startling. It's a bit like someone leaving a giraffe on your porch. Lovely. Magnificent. You're pleased as punch-but now what? You really need a plan about what to do next. If you don't, there's every chance you could blow a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Q: Your fairy godmother has waved her wand and is going to whisk you away to the location of your choice. What place would you choose and why?

I'm always drawn to Europe. I love history and hate hot weather, so poking around a museum or a drafty old castle is my idea of a good time. If somebody was murdered there, if it's haunted, if it's macabre, I'm all over it.

Q: What has been your biggest adventure to date?

Getting published. It's certainly touched most aspects of my life and made me push myself in new ways. I've had to learn a huge amount about many different disciplines-marketing and promotion, graphic design, how to get out of handcuffs, basic spellcraft. Honestly, I'm glad I had some background in stage performance as well as business and finance. I'm not sure there's any scrap of useless knowledge in my repertoire that I haven't had to call on.

Q: What does your writing space look like? Do you eat there? Play any computer games?

I'm a mobile writer, dragging my laptop from place to place looking for the perfect vibe. The couch and the kitchen table are the most frequented spots. I like the couch for first drafts and the table for editing, because I can spread out my reference books on the table. My desk? Who uses a desk? That's for holding mess.

I do sometimes eat when I write, mostly when I'm pressed for time. It's not my preference-I write fairly graphic stuff sometimes, and that doesn't go well with food. Mmmmnn severed limbs. Yum yum.

Q: What are the traits that make up a "real life" hero?

A hero is someone who makes a significant sacrifice for the sake of another. We hear about police and firemen and soldiers, but there is also a lot of quiet heroism out there. Someone who kicks an addiction for the sake of his or her kids. Someone who works two jobs to keep the family together. It's the stuff that doesn't make the papers that is often the most profound.

Q: What is the best way to spend a quiet evening at home?

Collapsed in front of the TV watching a really good DVD. I rarely get that kind of down time, so I treasure it when I do! My most recent treat was season two of True Blood.

Q: How do you describe Sharon Ashwood? How do Sharon Ashwood's family and friends describe her?

What I hear most from people is "you're always busy!" Yes, but I have a great day job and a writing career-so I'm also incredibly lucky!

MORE FUN...??

Q: Gotta ask: did you make any New Year's Resolutions this year? Have you broken any yet? Ever keep any that you made in previous years?

Ummmm - yeah, broken a few. I meant to blog every day this year. I haven't. My excuse is poor planning. I do okay for a while, and then fall off the wagon when I get busy. I remember at about midnight and by then I have no brain cells left.

If I have a reward system in place to keep a resolution, it tends to go much better. It worked when I started playing audiobooks while I did housework - now I do dishes every night because I want the next story instalment. I can be bribed, apparently.

Q: What is the one appliance that you could not live without; that if it broke down in the morning a new one would be in its place by late afternoon? Which one should have stayed at the store?

The coffee maker is a must-have. I can't function without caffeine. I'm downright mean without it. I wouldn't have to go get one-people would leave coffee makers on my porch and run.

The worst appliance purchase I ever made was a rug cleaner. It breaks down every time I use it, and now it sits sulking in the basement.

Q: If you had to choose between a beach, jungle or desert vacation which would you choose and why?

The beach might be okay, but I'm not a sun worshipper. I'd be miserable someplace hot. Give me Paris. Better yet, give me the catacombs under Paris.

Q: Is your desk organized or complete chaos?

I'm actually a neat freak, but the place I live is so small that things get messy fast. The result is chaos even though I fight it constantly. When I'm deep into a book, I end up with paper in archaeological layers. How old something is depends on how many inches down the pile I go .... and then there are the cats, who like pushing the piles off the desk just to watch me leap up and scream. Human hysterics are great fun.

Q: And lastly, no interview of a writer would be complete without this question: what is your favorite comfort food?

I'm a huge fan of the slow food movement, which is simple, traditional, natural cooking. My favourite deli is this Italian place - it serves preservative-free, locally made, absolutely fresh products. They have a huge selection of cheese, olives, prosciutto, and home-baked bread. And their hand-made gelato! OMG! I could take a sleeping bag and move in. Eating there is like remembering what food actually tastes like. It's a revelation.

Sadly, it's a revelation that I could have three or four times a day, which means way too much time at the gym in compensation. Their meals are all fresh and natural and stuffed with enough calories to support a small village for several months.