Getting Re-inspired by Les Misérables

I recently had to take a break from reading and writing due to a medical condition, and I was absolutely miserable. As my stack of books from the library that I couldn’t read grew higher and my notebooks sat untouched, I grew more and more desperate to get back to my job. However, now that … Continue reading Getting Re-inspired by Les Misérables

Choosing Point of View

Though I know that many YA readers enjoy first-person stories—just look at such popular series as The Hunger Games, The Selection, and Divergent—and my novel Somewhere Only We Know is written in the first person, I don’t see myself using that point of view (POV) very often in the future. It felt completely natural to … Continue reading Choosing Point of View

Somewhere Only We Know Launch Party

I debated for a long time what I should do to celebrate the release of my debut novel, Somewhere Only We Know. I'm so introverted and have so much trouble speaking in front of people that I knew doing an event in a bookstore would not be ideal for my very first book-signing experience. I decided … Continue reading Somewhere Only We Know Launch Party

Somewhere Only We Know Book Birthday!

It's here! Somewhere Only We Know has finally been released. I can't believe I now get to say that I am a published author. It has been a long journey to get where I am today and I have been grateful for every step of that journey. Both the print and the e-book versions turned … Continue reading Somewhere Only We Know Book Birthday!

Thoughts on Publication

Wow. One week from today I am going to be a published author. In a week people can buy my book and read my words. They will get to hear this story that I made up and that has been so important to me. I don’t really know how to feel right now. Everything just … Continue reading Thoughts on Publication

What I’m Reading – How it Feels to Fly by Kathryn Holmes

With her second novel, How it Feels to Fly, I think Kathryn Holmes has officially made my favorite author list alongside Kiera Cass, Neal Shusterman, and Laurie Halse Anderson. Her first novel, The Distance Between Lost and Found, instantly made its way to my favorite books shelf, and I can’t wait to buy my own … Continue reading What I’m Reading – How it Feels to Fly by Kathryn Holmes

A Birthday Treat – the first scene of Somewhere Only We Know!

Since today is my birthday, I wanted to give all of you a treat. Below is the first scene of my novel, Somewhere Only We Know. You can learn more about the book by clicking here or on its tab at the top of my website. The book comes out on November 18th, but you can pre-order … Continue reading A Birthday Treat – the first scene of Somewhere Only We Know!

Antioch Writers’ Workshop Fall Retreat

Last weekend I attended the Antioch Writers’ Workshop Annual Fall Retreat. I’ve been having a lot of trouble switching gears from Somewhere Only We Know and getting started on my new project, so I wanted to attend this retreat to get the push and confidence I needed to go forward. I also wanted to go … Continue reading Antioch Writers’ Workshop Fall Retreat

Laurie Halse Anderson at Books & Co

On Friday I got the chance to meet one of my favorite authors and one of the biggest inspirations on my own writing – Laurie Halse Anderson. She came to Books & Co in Dayton as part of her tour for Ashes, the final book in the Seeds of America trilogy. I only started reading … Continue reading Laurie Halse Anderson at Books & Co

Kristen Simmons, Natalie D. Richards, and Mindee Arnett at Books & Co

Last night I got to see three authors at Books & Co in Dayton: Kristen Simmons, Natalie D. Richards, and Mindee Arnett. Simmons and Richards were there to talk about their new books, Metaltown and One Was Lost respectively, and Arnett led the panel. She asked them lots of questions, from what two sticks inspired … Continue reading Kristen Simmons, Natalie D. Richards, and Mindee Arnett at Books & Co