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1. Where did you get your inspiration for the book?
This book was inspired by several things. First, I was living in Maine at the time where the book begins, so many of the details are from my life there. Then some came from a road trip that I made across Texas to visit my sister. There’s not a lot to do when you are driving alone on a long highway, so I used the time to think about writing. The deeper issues probably came out of my own teen years. It was hard growing up with divorced parents – always being shuttled from one home to the other. Cal feels many of the things I did at that time. She wants to belong and feel like she has a home.
2. Inspiration for characters?
Cal was based on many of my own experiences. Eliot was based on Brad’s experiences growing up in North Carolina. I think the disconnect with parents is something that a lot of teens feel. But somehow, it’s worse when your parents are the ones to turn away. But I think having other adults step in to be there to talk to -- like Abel -- is so amazing. I wanted to show how even if you think you don't have anyone, someone can show up in your life unexpectedly and everything changes.
3. Was there any research that was needed for this book?
There wasn’t much research needed for this book. Dream Factory was a different story. All of those details about Disney World needed to be right. The one thing that we did need to research was why Eliot’s lips turn green. I wrote that into one of my chapter and sent it off to Brad. He emailed me back and asked why his lips were green. I told him I didn’t know, but he better figure it out.
4. How do you go about doing this research?
Well, the obvious, I guess is the internet. You can find everything there (and a lot of it is helpful and true!). But I do research when I’m in the middle of writing too. When I’m writing and I’m not sure how a scene should play out, I walk it out and talk it out. It’s a bit strange, but I do try to do it when only my dog and cat can see.
5. How did you work with Bard Barkley on Scrambled Eggs at Midnight? How was that process?
We sent chapters back and forth online through email. It was fun. I never knew what he was going to write, nor did he know what I was going to write. It was a game – try to surprise and challenge the other person.
6. What are some of your favorite books? Authors?
Oh there are so many. Right now, I’m reading Robin Hodd’s trilogies. The Assassin and the Fool books are amazing. I also love J.R.R. Tolkien, Nancy Farmer, Gary Schmidt, John Christopher, Jonathan Stroud, and C.S. Lewis.
7. What time of day do you usually get your best ideas? When do you write?
I get my best ideas when I’m running, but I have to be quick about writing them down or they disappear. I try to write earlier in the day, but life often conspires against that, so I have to be flexible and write when I can.
8. Can we middle-schoolers expect any new novels anytime soon?
I have a new novel coming out in Spring 2019 entitled We Were Beautiful. It’s about a girl suffering from amnesia after a car crash that leaves her scarred for life. The audio version of The Cupcake Queen is also coming out soon. And Frosted Kisses will be released as an audio book shortly after that. I’ve also been talking with a screen writer about creating a series pitch for The Cupcake Queen. Seeing the story come to life like that would be really exciting.
Stay tuned for another author spotlight!
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