What’s the best thing about being an author?

Meeting other authors, for sure! As a lifelong reader, I love it when I close an excellent book, then email the author because she’s a friend of mine. Also there’s an amazing support group among YA authors. We’re a tight knit bunch and I’ve found some true friends.

If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be? 

I’m Not Nearly As Interesting As You Think

What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

I also work full time as a librarian in a public high school, so I put in 40 hours a week for the day job. I’m also pretty adamant about getting in two days at the gym, and three of cardio, throughout the week so a lot of the daylight is eaten up with regular stuff. I write at night, in bed, usually after 9PM and I try to write at least 1000 words once I’ve settled in. I do not however, write everyday. In fact, I go months – sometimes even a year – in between projects.

What are you currently reading? 

AVALON by Mindee Arnett

What was the inspiration behind Not A Drop To Drink? 

I watched a documentary called Blue Gold, which is about a projected shortage of potable water on our planet due to overpopulation. It was a horrible thought – we all need water to survive, and it’s something we can’t make. I went to bed very grateful for the small pond in my backyard, and that night I dreamt I was teaching a young girl how to operate a rifle so that she could help me protect the pond. I woke up and thought, “Hey… I wrote a book in my head just now.”

How would you describe Not A Drop To Drink?

It’s a post-apocalyptic survival story, a neo-western, Little House on the Prairie on crack, a YA version of The Road and Walking Dead without the zombies. At least, those are all ways I’ve heard it described. I like them all.

Which character from Not A Drop To Drink is most like you?

I think most writers would say that there are little pieces of us in every single on of our characters, even the despicable ones.

What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

Are your boobs real? Yes, they are.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I’m currently writing a gothic historical that I hope is sufficiently thought-inducing yet terrifying to merit publication.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? 

Look deeper into everything. If something that you read sparks an interest in you, go learn more about that subject. Fiction is made-up, but everything is based on something.