How old are you?
25. Eek!
What made you want to be a writer?
I was a reader first and foremost. It was a love of great stories that brought me to writing, and I have my wonderful parents to thank for that. They read to me and my brothers every night before bed as children.
How long have you been writing?
For as long as I can remember. I wrote my first story in elementary school, and it was suspiciously like Thumbalina. It also ended with the whole thing being a dream. See? We all make mistakes.
Who are your favorite authors?
Oh man, the list is pretty endless. I'll read just about anything.
I have a special place in my heart for YA and fervently follow the works of Sarah Dessen, John Green, Veronica Roth, and Laini Taylor. I've also read everything Stephen King has ever written. I even once slept in a parking lot to get his autograph. Basically, I'm a fangirl.
What did you do before this?
I worked for a company testing blood pressure equipment. It's about as exciting as it sounds. Since then, I've been a waitress to keep my head above water. My jobs typically suck, but as a wise instructor once said, "As long as you're not living under a bridge, you're doing all right."
Is that your natural hair color?
(People constantly ask me this.) Yes. I've been a redhead my entire life.
Are you an identical twin?
No. I have a twin brother, and we are fraternal twins. Yes, we do look alike, but just as brother and sister.
About my writing
Are you published?
Not yet! I'm typically a long form writer, but I'm working on my short story game. I am currently looking for representation for my work, so shoot me a message if you're interested in my novel, Momentum.
Where do you get your ideas?
I normally become obsessed with something, and the idea snowballs from there. With Momentum, I learned a lot about synesthesia and was instantly fascinated. With my current WIP, I had this crazy neighbor whose erratic behavior I couldn't explain, so I made up a story about it.
What type of novel is Momentum?
It is a novel of psychological suspense. It also falls into the New Adult Category, a much debated distinction from YA now. JR isn't in high school and he's not in his late twenties--he's a college student.
Can I read it?
Only if you'll finish it and offer a critique!
When's it coming out?
The process is a long journey from writing to agent to publication. At the moment, I am seeking representation.
What happens if it's never picked up by an agent?
This isn't my first novel, and it won't be the last. Plenty of published authors have unpublished manuscripts gathering dust in drawers. It's possible Momentum will end up there one day, too. That's just something you have to accept. Not every idea works.
Are you working on anything new?
Yes! I've started a new WIP that's based on a short story I wrote for a creative writing class.
What's it about?
Two boys spy on their new neighbor in rural Virginia during the summer of '92.
What advice do you have for young writers?
As a young writer myself, it's hard to give advice to those in the same boat but here's my spiel: Keep trying, learn humility, grow a thick skin, and let your rejections inspire you to improve.
Also, here's a picture of me and my best friend with a llama. You know, because.
Her name was Peaches.
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