The Ultimate YA Reading Group

6. Which character (in any of your novels) do you connect most with? And Why?

The characters in SOLSTICE are created from my imagination solely and don’t match people I know in real life. Sure, I use bits and pieces of so many people to create so many different parts of characters, but with SOLSTICE, there are not definite matches. As for which character I relate to the most, I’d go with Chloe. She’s fun but smart and looks out for her best friend. Plus she likes to walk on the wild side just a bit J

7. What are some of your favorite novels and/or authors?

As a teen, I read all the time. That said, mostly what I enjoyed was adult science fiction or fantasy, or classics like The Odyssey, Oedipus Rex, and Beowulf. As for my adult SFF favorite authors, there are so many. I loved Tolkien, David Eddings, Roger Zelazny, Terry Brooks, and Isaac Asimov, just to name a few. The list could go on and on, and I could talk all day about it, but I’ll keep it at this. I read tons of current YA fantasy stories also, and it’s hard to name any here because I’m always finding new stuff I like.

8. You probably get this question a lot, but why Austin?
Well, I live here. It’s hotter than blazes during the summer. And it’s a fun, eclectic city that uses the phrase “Keep Austin Weird” as its tagline. Combine that with Greek gods and global warming, and there was just no other choice. And I love that it’s set in my home base. It makes the novel that much more special!

9. For our aspiring writers, what is the easiest part of writing a book? The hardest?

The easiest part is coming up with ideas. I have gazillions of new ideas. So many I have a hard time catching up. The hardest part is the soggy middle of the story. I’m all excited to write a story at the beginning, but by the time the middle comes, things get harder and new ideas sound so much better. They try to tempt me away to write them.

10. What are you working on next? Any new releases in the future?

I’m working on a middle grade and a young adult novel, both fantasy. I never talk much about unpublished works, but I am managing to keep myself busy. And there are definite

plans for a sequel to SOLSTICE!

Thank you again for letting me be here!