Frequently Asked Questions (kind of)
1. How old are you?
I just turned old 27 in May.
2. What's your favorite color?
Blue and green.
3. What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
Pistachio. Yeah. I know.
4. What is your favorite place in the world?
My family has a cabin in UP of Michigan and we've been going there since I was about four (I think). It's a few feet from Lake Michigan and surrounded by forest. We get ice cream in the summer and rent VHS tapes. It's the perfect place to breathe and relax and remember who you really are.
5. 'Paper Breaths'? What?
"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart." -William Wordsworth
6. What did you do, you know, before?
I graduated from Grand Valley State University and then taught high school for nearly three years. While there, I taught English and Yearbook and, aside from the fact that I still look like I'm in high school, loved both very much. I loved teaching, learning, and still do, but being an author is something I've wanted to be since before I knew what one was. Eventually, I realized the things I love about teaching (books, reading, writing, discussing), are the things I could love by being an author.
7. Who is your favorite author, and what is your favorite book?
I have favorite authors who have written books I love, but I can't pick a favorite from either category! I read mostly YA books so I tend to focus on those author. That said, I really love when an author can make words more than what they are, as if they were composing a symphony rather than a novel. In my opinion, Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton, and Brenna Yovanoff do this well. I also really love the writing styles of Lauren Oliver, John Green, and David Levithan. I love books that are as lyrical as they are compelling. I've listed some of my favorite books HERE and you can see even more on Goodreads.
8. So you like gummy worms?
I love anything gummy (gummi?). Gummy cherries. Mmm.
9. How do you write?
That's a loaded question, but I will say this: I outline first, word vomit second, and edit third. I've heard many times that a writer should write what he/she knows, but I don't think that's true. I think, more or less, we should write what we are afraid of, what makes us tick, what makes us passionate and fearful and happy and emotional. If that is what we know, great, but I truly think that a writer must rediscover his/her craft each and every time a project is started. Grow. Every writer is different, except in the sense that we're all a little crazy. And we all think we're funny. Don't lie. You do.
10. Did you write a book?
I did write a book, yes. LIGHT OF THE MOON is the first book in the LEGEND OF THE DREAMER series, and will be released in late 2012. I have a short story following that called THE WARRIOR'S CODE, which is a prequel story that can be read before or after LOTM. TWC will be released in early 2013. The sequel to LOTM and the second book in the LEGEND OF THE DREAMER series, SHADOW OF THE SUN, will be out in late 2013. I also have two other projects I'm working on that I hope to release in the near future.
11. LIGHT OF THE MOON. Sounds like a werewolf story. Is it?
Um. Negative. LIGHT OF THE MOON is about a boy, a girl, and a curse. It's about stars, blood, and magic. It's about kissing. And secrets. For the full synopsis, check out Goodreads.
12. Where can I purchase your books?
Check my blog for official publishing dates, but all my books are available online at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.