Interview:
- What got you wanting to be an author? Was it something you have always wanted since you were a kid?
- Yes, I've always wanted to be an author. I loved to read as a kid and I used to make up my own stories in my head all the time. Eventually I started writing them down. I've been a writer ever since!
- Can you tell us a little bit about what your newest novel, Doppelganger, is all about?
- Doppelganger is about a 16 year old girl names Citrus Leahy who is having a really bad day. First she's late to school. Then she runs into the girl who drives her nuts because she always calls her Orange instead of her name. To cap it all off, when Citrus finally makes it to class, she sees herself already inside. Wait. What? Citrus Leahy has a doppelganger! It's probably aliens taking over the world and her life has just turned totally upside down. Goodbye, normal. Hello, paranormal! Luckily, her crush Aedan has the exact same problem!
- Having a doppelganger is such an interesting idea to me. How/Where did you get the inspiration to write about that?
- I had a friend tell me in college that she thought she saw me. My friend waved at me and tried to get my attention and I ignored her. It turns out that it definitely wasn’t me that she saw. I was in class at the time. Since then I thought it would be an interesting idea to explore – the whole idea of what would happen if you had an exact replica of yourself, who took over your life.
- Which of your novels (The New Girl Who Found A Dead Body, Connected, Adventures in Funeral Crashing, Adventures of a Graveyard Girl, or Doppelganger) was the toughest to write?
- I’d say Adventures of a Graveyard Girl because it’s a sequel. You have a lot to live up to and remember when you’re writing a sequel. I’m sure I’ll feel the same way about the second book in The Doppelgangers series. I can’t wait! Challenges are fun!
- I have heard from a few authors that they have a certain routine they do when they are writing. A certain spot to write at, a certain drink, a certain food, etc., Do you have any routine or ritual you have to do when writing?
- I usually have a cup of caffeine (okay a vat), preferably coffee, but sometimes tea, and sit at my tiny, tiny desk in the living room and write away! If I’m on a word count deadline, I’ll reward myself with treats at certain intervals. I will say this – peanut butter cookies definitely make me write faster!
- Now that you have so many novels out and you have so many fans do you still enjoy writing as much as you did before the fans and when you were just writing your first novel?
- Yes! I love writing! I still write for myself, as much as the fans.
- What is your favorite part about being an author?
- Having other people read my stories! It’s as simple as that.
- What is one experience you have had because of being an author that you will never forget?
- My first email from a fan. It was an amazing feeling to know that one of my readers had actually sought me out!
- Who would you say are your literary heroes and who would you say are your ordinary, everyday heroes?
- My literary heroes are Jane Austen, Meg Cabot, RL Stine, and Stephen King (his book On Writing is amazing!). I have more, but my list would probably be endless if I let myself keep going. My ordinary, everyday hero is my grandma. She escaped from Lithuania during World War II and made it to America to save herself and her family. Now, that is an exciting real life inspirational story filled with adventure, suspense, and a happy ending.
- If I told you that I had a magic machine that would transport you to have one day to hang out with one person alive or dead who would that be?
- My answer was going to be Jane Austen, but as I thought more about it I realized that hanging out with her for the day might be really awkward since we’re from such different time periods. She wouldn’t get any of my pop culture references, would probably think my clothes were strange, and she wouldn’t even know what the internet was, much less an ebook! So, although I would love to spend the day with her, my answer is going to be that I would love to hang out with John Hughes. He wrote some of my favorite teen movies and I would love to hang out with him at a particular time: when he was shooting Sixteen Candles. That would be an amazing experience!
This or That:
- E-Books or Physical Books? E-Books (Although, it's close! I love both!)
- Coke or Pepsi? Coke
- Sweet or Salty? Sweet
- Male MC or Female MC? (MC - Main Character) Female MC
- Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate (Yum!)
- Fruit or Veggies? Fruit
- Series or Standalones? Series (The story lasts longer!)
- Watch TV or read a book? Book (Another close one! I heart TV too.)
- Rain or Sunshine? Rain (It barely rains in California, so it's a nice change!)
- Writing during the Night or the Day? Day
Giveaway Guidelines:
- Must be at least 13 years old
- Open INTERNATIONALLY
- If you only I and the author will have access to your email address and will only use it for contact purposes and to send you your prize.
- If you win you have 48 hours to respond to the email or a new winner will be chosen
- Ends on August 24th at 12:01am
- One Rafflecopter account per person
