What were you like as a teen?

Alien. I was goth before Hot Topic, which was good because people kept their distance. However, it was bad because people kept their distance. (Actually, in a lot of cases, that wasn’t bad at all…)

What were your favorite books as a kid?

The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, Alanna: Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause.

If you had one wish what would you wish for?

Unlimited genies who would each grant me three additional wishes. I believe in maximizing my magical return on investment.

What musicians have influenced your writing?

All of them, pretty much. I listen to different music for each book. Everything from Concrete Blonde to Dvorak to Luke Thomasson… I wrote one book entirely on waltzes; another entirely on classical. If it’s in a minor key, I love it!

What are you looking forward to about YALLFest?

Hanging out, talking books for two days straight, and braiding Beth Revis’ hair again.

What is your favorite kind of pie?

French Silk, though I’m partial to Key Lime and Lemon Meringue. And cherry. And strawberry-rhubarb. Oh, also blueberry! Let’s face it, I’m addicted to pie.