Q&A (or: “In Which I Interview Myself”)

What’s your favorite dessert?

If you know me at all, you know that this is a question I take very seriously. I really can’t be left alone with a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie slathered in fresh vanilla ice cream. Yum.

What was your very first written-down story? Can you remember?

I sure can. It was the tale of a Cow and a Cat who were friends and ate a lot of candy together, then got sick at the playground and went to sleep. As one does.

What made you start writing?

I’ve always loved writing (I’m immensely proud of my fanfic roots!), but it turned into a serious venture during the Covid-19 pandemic. Writing was joyful escapism; it brought comfort, gave me community, and made me feel like my life was moving forward when the whole world, for a time, was standing still.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever been given?

On a practical note, I once received a tip that combining smaller characters would help with character development, because you can go deeper more effectively with one or two sub-characters than a handful. On a more emotional note, I think remembering to write what I love and let the chips fall where they may has been very freeing.

What’s one item you can’t live without?

Fuzzy socks or a thick blanket. I am almost always freezing!