Tell us a little bit about your childhood and where you grew up.
I grew up in Northern Virginia. with my twin sister.
How did you discover your passion for writing?
I've always loved writing, even when I was little. I used to make picture books about The Long-Haired Unicorn, a detective. I think being a reader is what made me want to write. Loving someone else's words makes me want to write my own.
When and how did you decide that you wanted to be a professional writer?
I've never wanted to be a professional writer per say. I just always wanted what I wrote to be read by people who might enjoy it. But it was becoming an English teacher and working with young adults that helped me finish my book and decide to self-publish it.
What would you like to read in a suspense novel?
To me, suspense means edge-of-your seat tension. Josh Malerman is excellent at suspense.
How did you come up with the plot of your novel, Wolfhowl Mountain?
It's based on a short story that I wrote for a creative writing class in high school. Like anything I've written, my story always starts with a "What if..." idea. What if a little girl was raised by an abandoned house. Could they form a family?
Who inspired the character of 17 year old Rose Delaney?
I didn't base Rose on anyone, but rather thought about what I wanted in a character - a strong-willed person who strugles with anger and identity - and thought about what other characteristics and elements would work well with her personality.
What kind of cultural value do you think reading and writing have/brings?
I've always thought the value in reading/writing in any cultue is about enjoyment. As long as you enjoy it, as long as you feel fulfilled by what you have read or written, then it's done its job. Sometimes you learn along the way, like when you read about a character whose experiences or identity is different than yours, and in this way you can also learn about other cultures. But that's secondary to fiction's real purpose.
When deciding your book character, do you go with a name that no one has heard before, or a familiar name?
When I wrote Wolfhowl Mountain, I was very conscious of picking names that had a religious significance, or names that had Irish origins since many of the characters are Irish Catholic. But often times I'll pick a name out of thin air and just stick with it.
Do you prefer giving gift cards or actual gifts to others?
Giving gifts is more fulfilling because you get to see the other person's enjoyment.
Criticism, whether constructive or otherwise is part and parcel of any art form. How do you deal with reviews of your books- both positive and negative?
I do my best to be objective when I see anything negative. I also try to remember that everyone enjoys different kinds of books, so not liking mine is okay.
Which option do you prefer, reading some books or watching movies adapted from them?
I'm always going to pick reading first.
What is it like to live with cats?
It's a lot like living with loud roomates who enjoy keeping you up at night and eating all your food.
What are some of the most profound "shower thoughts" you've had?
I always think about what I'm currently writing when I'm in the shower. I've written some of my best scenes when shampooing my hair.
How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?
I've always wanted to write a locked-room murder mystery that takes place on the International Space Station. But rather than the crew being NASA experts, all of the "mission specialists" are B-list celebrities. And for a long, long time I've wanted to do a modernization of the Persephone myth.
How has your experience of being associated with AllAuthor been?
Good!
