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—Why did you decide to write NSDWAZ?
Ever since I worked on the TV show Even Stevens, I'd been wanting to write a YA novel. I came up with a few ideas. This is the one that stuck.
—Why Zombies?
I have always loved zombie movies. I wanted write a zombie story that had chills, but was still fun, sort of like a Sean Of The Dead for teens.
—You're not a girl. Why did you write from a girl's point of view?
Most of my friends are girls. It's been that way since high school. I've been a confidante for my female friends on boy issues, so I've been hearing girl problems for a longtime. I have nothing against writing about boys, but girls are more interesting. Sorry fellas. My hope is that while the book is about a girl, boys will find it interesting as well.
—Where did the character of Margot come from?
I hate to say this, but Margot is mostly me- not the snarky part, but the insecure part.
—Did you have a high school manifesto?
The night of junior high school graduation I was miserable with who I was. I didn't write down a manifesto, but I did come up with one. And just like Margot, midway through high school, I realized I hadn't achieved any of my goals.
—Is there a sequel to NSDWAZ in the works?
Not at the present. I've moved away from zombies. But don't worry, there's still lots of weird stuff happening in the next book.
—So, what's next for you?
I have completed a novel called Boyfriend From Hell, about a girl, her single mother, and the boyfriend from hell...literally. And I'm currently writing my first book series.
—Where do you write?
At home mostly. But I like to move around the house, so I write in my office, the living room, my favorite spot is the dining room table. It keeps me close to the food.
—Do you have any advice for young writers?
I started writing when I was ten. Nothing significant happened with my work until I won a writing contest as a senior in college. So you have to love it, and you have to stay with it if you want to get published. My best advice is, never get discouraged.
