Oh man. Spelling. I’ve never won a spelling bee. Thank goodness for Webster’s Online Dictionary.

2. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Hon, don’t you listen to your grumpy, old principal. He’s just jealous. Make sure you save that story he hated. You’re going to wish you still had it one day.

3. What book do you feel is under-appreciated?

My friend, Kaci Morgan’s book, Queen Immortal, is an amazing book that’s definitely under-appreciated. Everyone should read it.

4. Favorite childhood memory involving books?

Snuggling with my mom while she read The Black Cat to me by Edgar Allan Poe. I was just a tiny little girl, but it was my favorite story.

5. If you could dine with any literary character, who would it be and why?

Does an author count as a literary character? Because I really want to have dinner with Edgar Allan Poe. I don’t really have any questions for him, I just want to listen to him talk. I want hear about the clouds in his mind. I also want to have dinner with Stephen King. I think he’d be a delight to hang out with.

6. What fantastical fictional world would you want to live in (if any) given the chance?

The Harry Potter world. I don’t necessarily want to live there, but I’d definitely like to visit for the summer.

7. Did you want to be an author when you grew up?

Yes I did. Ever since I was little. I lost sight of it for a while, but I eventually found my way again.

8. Have you ever met anyone famous?

I met Catherine O’Hara at the The Nightmare Before Christmas live performance at the Hollywood Bowl. It was one of the most memorable, awesome experiences of my life. I’ve loved Jack and Sally since I was little! She came out onstage after most everyone had left and I went right up to her, thinking, “If I don’t talk to her right now, I’m going to regret it for the rest of my life.” She was so kind and so humble. I’ll treasure that memory forever. I just love her.

10. What creature do you consider your "spirit animal" to be?George McFly

11. What are your top 5 favorite movies?Without any particular order (picking an absolute favorite is just too difficult), they would have to be, Jurassic Park, The Empire Strikes Back, Back to the Future, The Green Mile, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice and the 2017 IT… I may have added an extra one…

12. What fictional character would you want to be friends with in real life?The hero of my book, Rain a.k.a. Richard Holland a.k.a. Lipstick Rick! I just love him so much! I need his positive attitude and encouragement in my life. And his best friend, Nothe. He cracks me up. I would definitely want to hang out with those two on a regular basis. It would be amazing.

13. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?Don’t give up! Don’t you ever give up! Your words are important. You have something to say that the world needs to hear. You can’t give up on your message, your characters, and most importantly, you can’t give up on you. Finish what you’ve started. It matters.

14. What book do you wish you had written?What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. That book is amazing. The way she writes her characters, they’re just so believable. I feel like they could be my neighbors down the street. It’s pretty amazing.

15. If you could live in any time period, what would it be and why?I’m pretty happy with this one. We definitely have our baggage, but in comparison to any other known time period, we’ve got it pretty good. I don’t want to be anywhere but right where I am, right now.