1-
When did you begin writing? Why did
you decide to become a writer?
I
started writing late in high school, the segued into writing screenplays in
college (I have a film degree). I attempted my first novel, then abandoned it,
early in my 20s. After seeing Pirates of the Caribbean (weird!) I went home and
finished it within a few weeks and haven’t looked back.
I’ve
always loved reading, and honestly, have always been a huge storyteller (or
liar, as a child/teen). It seemed like a natural and more socially acceptable
way to spin my stories!
2-
I love your Whitman University series,
so I am curious as to what your inspiration was for the series?
My inspiration for the series was two things—my love
for tennis and the fact that I missed Gossip
Girl something fierce when it went off the air. Although several people
have compared Broken at Love to Cruel Intentions, in my head Quinn and
Emilie were always an homage to Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf.
Whitman University itself is not unlike the private
university I attended, and my fellow Horned Frogs will surely notice some
direct parallels between campuses!
3-
What books or authors have influenced
you the most in life?
Hard
question! Madeleine L’Engle, JK Rowling, Emily Bronte, Jane Austen, for sure.
Both
JJ Abrams and Nora Ephron, who wrote for film/television, continue to have HUGE
influences on my work.
4-
What was the hardest part in writing
the Whitman University series?
The
fact that even though I love these kids, it’s fair that readers
sometimes don’t. They’re not all that likable sometimes, and the biggest
challenge to writing uber rich kids is that a lot of people think they’re not
allowed to have problems. So, yeah. Particularly with Ruby, the heroine of By
Referral Only, I’ve struggled with not defending my characters. Because I love
her, but there isn’t much love for her out there in the world.
5-
How do you begin to organize your
writing process when you are starting a new project?
I
always start with characters—who they are, what made them that way, what they
want, and what’s in the way of that. Plot is secondary, but I’m not a huge
plotter up front. I always know how a story begins and ends, along with high
points along the way, but I let the characters tell me how they get from one to
another.
6-
Are any of your character's traits
similar to you or to people you know?
Of
course! No one is based on any one person, but I pull little quirks and
personality tendencies from people I know. My college roommate sees a lot of
herself in some of these girls, I’m sure. J
7-
What advice would you give to aspiring
writers?
First
of all, write. Sit down, every day, and put words on a page. Second, write what
you want—not what people tell you to, not what you think is going to sell, and
certainly not what’s flying off the shelves at the moment.
Oh,
and work on thickening your skin. Your creative side won’t survive the business
of publishing without it.
This or That:
1- Peeta or Gale? Peeta
2- Ron or Harry? Ron
3- Physical book or e-copy? Physical
book, although I do buy ebooks when they’re on sale, or when they’re forever
long (like Game of Thrones!)
4- Pen and paper or computer? Computer.
I still jot notes and things like that, but it would just take too long to hand
write anything substantial.
5- Prince William or Prince Harry? Harry
6- Beach or mountains? Beach
7- Cookies or brownies? Cookies
