Tell us a little about your childhood. What was the first story you ever told?
I was born and raised in California, to a big Italian family. The first story I ever wrote was about dogs, and I don't know specifics, but I remember my grandmother loved it. She loved everything I did. She sent it to a publisher by mail, thinking that it needed to be published. They declined, of course, but told me to keep writing. I'll never forget how supportive she was.
In what ways did your grandmother inspire you to write?
She was the ultimate cheerleader. If I didn't have her support, I would not have been able to be so creative.
Did your parents ever tell you bedtime stories? If so, what is the best bedtime story they ever told you?
My parents divorced when I was three, so I didn't have that 'normal' family nighttime routine. My mom was a single parent, who worked all the time to pay the mortgage. I didn't really get bedtime stories read to me, but I do remember loving books as a child. I'll never forget Milk and Cookies by Frank Ash. It was one of my favorites.
Do you usually write books based on your own or your friend's experiences? Or do you prefer to make it all up from scratch?
It depends solely on the book itself. Like Who We Were, that was based on real experiences and so is The Brown House. I think all of my books have a touch of reality to them. I think as an author, I can't help but put a bit of myself into the stories I tell.
What would you say to a skeptic that never really reads paranormal stories to convince them to read your book?
I'd tell them that you'll never know unless you try it, and to live a little. Even if they just read one chapter, it might surprise them.
What inspired the post-apocalyptic tale that is "The Survival Pact"? Was the friendship the girls had inspired by your own friendships?
I always wanted to tell my own end of the world tale. It is how I envisioned the world ending. They aren't zombies, which I loved writing because people tend to think they are. I think once they read it, they are surprised. The girls in the story are in fact me and my friends. I loved interviewing them during the writing process and making them come alive in the book. It was so much fun.
What started the Past Lives Series? Tell us the most memorable thing you experienced while writing Avery Snow's story?
I had a dream about a man following a girl down the street. She was afraid of him, but not to the point of feeling that she was in danger. He wanted to see her again, but she didn't recognize him. When I woke from the dream, I had to figure out who these people were exactly. In the end, I had made a beautiful tale of love and romance that spanned years and years. Their love occurs in every lifetime they live. The most memorable thing I experienced was seeing my writing change from book one to book two. I think I grew up so much writing those books. I just adore those characters; I miss them.
What does the name "Ianni" mean? Do you think you will ever extend this novella and make it a full-length novel?
Ianni is one of the angels from The Many Lives of Avery Snow. I got the name off of my neighbors mailbox. She actually falls from heaven to save the girl she's protecting. So she actually gives up her angelic existence to save a human life. I don't think I have plans to extend the novella at this time.
While writing The Visitors Series, what kinds of people did you talk to for research purposes? Whose story was the most memorable?
Since the story is based one my husbands childhood home, I interviewed his family. Mostly everyone who entered that house had experienced some sort of supernatural occurrence there. The house is over a hundred years old and has been in his family for many generations. The story that stands out the most is my father in law telling me that they were coming home from Christmas festivities, and as they walked into the door, all the chairs moved away from the table at once; skidding across the kitchen floor. Then he heard footsteps going up the stairs and the radio came on upstairs. He ran up there, and saw that there was no one there but himself and the kids.
Have you ever been in a house like The Brown House? What is the most unnatural or supernatural experience you've ever had?
I stayed in a bed and breakfast that was haunted once. The door opened on it's own as I left the bathroom. The door handle turned and everything. It turned out that the lady that used to live there died in that very bathroom. I have had many supernatural experiences but I think that one stands out the most to me.
Where do you usually go to find inspiration? What inspired the Slumber Duology series?
I love going to Deviantart to find inspiration. I get a lot of my ideas through art and beautiful things. The Slumber Duology came to me because we were actually watching Sleeping Beauty one afternoon, and I just started the idea of 'what if's' in my head. Then of course I thought, "What if Sleeping Beauty killed her prince?"
What are your tips and tricks to writing a bestselling book?
I have to say that my biggest tip is to write a lot and don't give up. Have a good team behind you, with people you trust. A good editor, a good beta team, and don't look to anyone for support, because sometimes as a writer, it's a lonely job. We don't always get advice or pat's on the back, but don't let that bring you down.
What do you regard as your greatest accomplishment so far? What more do you hope to do in the next 10 years?
Wow this one is hard. I've accomplished so many great things so far, but I think that writing The Librarian and seeing how well it's doing is the biggest deal for me. In the next ten years, I hope I have thirty books published, and to have hit NYT Bestseller list.
