Autumn. Pretty leaves, pumpkin pie and sweaters. Perfect weather for reading. Winter is great but I hate shoveling.

Dad and Mom were frustrated artists - Dad wanted to study engineering or architecture and Mom wanted to be an actress - but the world was a different place when they were young so Dad became a public works foreman and Mom became a stay-at-home mom. When I said I wanted to be a writer, they were thrilled. They did everything in their power to support me.

I usually tame my off-kilter sense of humor for novels.

Once your writing is out there, you can't control how other people perceive it. All you can do is stand in your truth.

I think the best advice I got was to not worry about what other people would think while you were working on your first draft. Focus on getting it out of your head. You can always edit the manuscript later.

The push and pull of representing your world responsibly and your artistic license is a tricky balance.

I do get flak for the lack of romance in my stories.