FAQs
Q: What inspires you to write?
A: Honestly? Everything and nothing. Sometimes I’ll see a commercial that gives me an idea for a character, sometimes I’ll have a dream I actually remember that I think would make a fun story idea. Even fortune cookies are fair game! I’ve learned to tune into what’s going on around me and pick up ideas in the oddest of places. For me, that’s part of the fun of writing.
Q: Were you really a cheerleader or are you just saying that to be cool?
A: Does that mean you think cheerleaders are cool? 
The answer is: yep and nope. I cheered from seventh grade through my senior year (and then cheered in college too). Well, except for one season in high school when I was too wrapped up in my first true love to practice like I should have for tryouts. (In my defense, he was very cute. But still, no excuse for dissing my passion, right?) Never fear… I made up for it the next season and never missed out again. I was even a staffer at summer cheer camp.
Q: Were you a Rah-Rah?
A: Okay first, in case anyone isn’t familiar with the term Rah-Rah, let me explain. Real, die-hard cheerleaders understand that cheering is a sport that requires athletic ability, discipline and teamwork. Rah-Rahs is a derogatory term (and we’ll be having none of that, right?) used to describe people who only cheer because they think it’s a status symbol.
Now having explained that… What?!?! I was real through and through. I’d always been an athlete, so I approached cheering with that same competitive instinct. I was really lucky to cheer with some terrific athletes who worked their butts off to be competitive. In fact, my high school cheer teams were mostly filled with honor student, non-partying athletes, so we broke pretty much every ridiculous, outdated cheerleader stereotype on the planet. (With great pride, I might add!)
Q: So, let me get this straight… you’re a former cheerleader and sorority girl, but you’re also a member of Mensa and have an M.B.A.? This does not compute.
A: LOL. Yeah, I get that a lot. I always kind of chuckle when it surprises people. I’m not sure why, but some people seem to think that being a cheerleader or a sorority girl somehow means you’re devoid of brain cells. Or that having an M.B.A. or being in Mensa makes you a boring stuffed shirt. Maybe it’s because of outdated stereotypes or because they once knew one person who fit the bill. All I know is that there are plenty of brilliant cheerleaders and sorority girls and loads of M.B.A.s and Mensa folks who are fun, interesting, engaging people. So here’s to busting down more stereotypes… WHAMMO!
Q: What’s your favorite color/food/vacation spot/hobby?
A: Okay, let’s see… I’m a big fan of purple and red. I love pizza and Krispy Kreme donuts (just the regular glazed kind – yum). I’m a big fan of tropical places with plenty of breezes. As for hobbies, I love tennis, yoga, movies and reading, though I don’t always have time for them when life gets super busy (which is, you know, most days).
Q: Have you really been around the world?
A: Ha! Not really. My family was big into traveling though, so we went on lots of trips to far off lands like Greece and Hell, Michigan. (So not kidding.) By the time I was 20, I’d been to Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein (which is roughly the size of my hometown), Greece, Italy and Turkey. (Word to the wise… Italian pizzas are not like American ones.)
Q: What are your favorite YA books of all time?
A: Sheesh, that’s a tough one. My favorite book growing up was The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. I just bought a new copy because I’ve moved so many times over the years that I don’t know what ever happened to mine. I’m a huge fan of series books because I love watching characters grow and change over time. Recent series books on my keeper shelf are:
- The Traveling Pants books by Ann Brashares
- The Valerie Winslow/Schwerinborg books by Niki Burnham
- The Princess Diaries books by Meg Cabot
- The Secrets of My Hollywood Life books by Jen Calonita
- The Gallagher Girls books by Ally Carter
Which, I’ll admit, makes it look like I only read authors whose last names start with B or C. But I promise there’s no conspiracy here. I’m all about equal opportunity for the alphabet. To prove it, here’s my favorite series of all time:
- The Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling (love that Harry!)
