I am very into genealogy and heritage, and that's how I started writing.

I'm a history person, and I love the groundedness of that, of being able to go, "Yes! People acted like that."

I would not want to forget the first time I read The Lord of the Rings. I would never want to forget that! That was so magical to me, and that was a real eye-opening experience. I was probably 11 when I read that and already a reader, but I think that book really showed me how you can be transported and how your imagination can take you to a whole other place.

I never have the feeling that I actually know what I'm doing or anything that I'm writing is any good.

I personally love books that make me think, so I naturally gravitate toward writing a book like that, one that's going to make someone think and make me think.

I don't think I've ever done anything that's completely the same, yet.

I love getting into the basement of a courthouse, and all the dusty records - all that stuff makes me really happy.