Reading and Writing FAQ's
What books did you love growing up?
The Babysitter's Club, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, The Giver, The Last Unicorn, Hatchet, Peter Pan (of course), The Westing Game, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Ramona Series and any teen horror book I could get my hands on.
What are some of your favorite books now?
The Game of Thrones series, The Scholomance Series, The Harry Potter series, Red Rising, I’ll Give You the Sun, State of Wonder, Peace like a River, The Poisonwood Bible, Unsettled Ground, All The Light We Cannot See, The Song of Achilles, Children of Blood and Bone, Before the Ever After, The Time Traveler's Wife, Where the Crawdad’s Sing, The Hunger Games, The Push, Circe, The Last House on Needless Street, The Wayward Children Series, Untamed, The Hazel Wood, Searching for Sunday and the Eragon series.
What inspired you to become a writer and what is your favorite part of being one?
Many essential pieces came together to make me a writer: the books I read growing up, the encouragement of my parents and teachers, my love and passion for writing, and the winding path of education that was always directed toward my craft. Writing is like breathing to me; it’s necessary to keep functioning at a level that’s healthy and creative. My favorite part of being a writer is when I get to interact with readers about my books. That, and the actual writing. I get to live in worlds I create and that's such a privilege.
They always say that to be a good writer, you need to read good books. What authors do you enjoy reading?
Ann Patchett, C.S Lewis, E. Lockhart, Pierce Brown, Sarah J. Maas, Julie Murphy, Angie Thomas, Jandy Nelson, George R.R. Martin, John Green, Jeff Zenter, Leigh Bardugo, Kent Haruf, Ernest Cline, Melissa Albert, Glennon Doyle, Kristin Hannah, Daniel James Brown, Audrey Niffeneggar, Neal Schusterman, Seanan McGuire, Claire Fuller, R.F Kuang, Ann Napolitano, Maggie Smith, Liane Moriarty, and Lev Grossman are just to name a few. Honestly, we could be here all day.
What encouragement would you have for young, aspiring writers?
I think the most important thing to do if you want to be a writer is to read. After reading, the most important thing you can do is to write and learn about writing; immerse yourself in that world. Go to conferences. Meet other writers. Read books about writing. That's the best way to start. I would also tell aspiring writers to trust their own story ideas and not wait for approval from others because it won't come. The best stories come from your heart and no one else can pull from that place; only you. You are a font of originality; don't waste time wishing you had written something someone else did. Write the dark stories that come from your own fears or the hopeful stories that come from your own unexpected joys.
Read books. Get writing. Learn your craft as you go. Finish at all costs.
What was your biggest inspiration while writing your books?
I have a great need to tell the stories in my mind, and to entertain readers with that story. A forward-moving plot and the unique settings of my story are always my biggest inspirations. I want to thrill, I want to ask questions that haven't been asked before and I want to give my readers a strong protagonist to cheer for.
What is usually on your nightstand?
A endless TBR pile of three to five books from the library, my phone and eight half-empty water glasses.
What book was the most challenging to write?
That would be Wendy Darling Seas, because that had pirate battles, and to understand those, you had to be an expert on pirate warfare, old ships, weapons and pirate lingo all at once. Then I had to write that into comprehensive, engaging scenes over and over again. While it was my most challenging book, I believe it is also my best book.
What is something your readers would be surprised to know about you?
That I didn’t always believe that I could be a writer. I thought that was for other people, but here’s the secret: big dreams are for everyone.
Where is your favorite place to write?
In my imaginary office where it rains every day and I have a giant bay window that overlooks a rocky, cold ocean. Until that is a reality, I write at my local Starbucks, cozied up with a hot chocolate and earbuds, or in the basement of my house at a small, cramped desk.
Describe your writing style in three words.
Ambitious, dark, unflinching.
What is your writing process? I usually start with a piece of music that speaks to me. I use that to help myself imagine the finale of the book and then I start writing. I usually write between 10-20 hours a week, as I’m also a PT librarian. First, I decide on the overall themes of the book and then I follow that with a chapter-by-chapter loose outline. I’m a pantser, meaning I write from the seat of my pants, but I like a little outlining. I write linearly and I usually just power through until it’s done. If I deviate from my outline, that's okay; I let the story take me like a current. It takes me about 6 months to finish a book and that’s pushing it. I'm usually in edits for another two months after that.
And now, a random list of favorite things:
Food? A gourmet grilled cheese and tomato soup. Movie? Moulin Rouge. Favorite fictional hero? I’m a sucker for Hermione Granger, Jo March, Edmund Pensieve and Quintin Coldwater. Dream vacation? A month in Kauai in a rental property just outside of Princeville. Person? My kid, my sister and my husband. Weather? Cloudy, grey and rainy. Hogwarts House? Slytherin. Westeros House? Greyjoy. Drink? Hot Chocolate, Tintero Moscato D’Asti and I’m always drinking water.
Between your Queen of Hearts saga and the Wendy Darling series, you’ve got a reputation for retellings. Do you have plans for more classic literary reimaginings?
I do, but I’m not at liberty to say which one is coming next, not yet. But think…sweets.