What originally made you want to become an author?
I was a huge bookworm while growing up and then I wanted to tell my own stories just like the ones I loved to read. The first story I ever finished writing was a portal fantasy about a girl who was transported to a medieval realm and learned to fight with swords. I printed it out, stapled it into a book, and drew my own cover art. I still remember the feeling of how proud I was when I held it in my hands. It feels magical to me to be able to create something from nothing on my own, and that’s why I continue to write.
In your opinion, what makes a great story?
For me it is all about character. When I pick up a book, I want to be transported into another person experiencing their world, whether it’s a familiar one or a new one. I don’t necessarily want the main character to be relatable, but they have to be interesting. Whether it’s showcasing a different perspective or learning about a new place through their eyes, I want to get to know them deeply. The best feeling is being able to close a book and feel disoriented, like I’m not sure who or where I am anymore.
Describe a typical work day in your life as an author. Do you have any unusual writing habits?
In a typical writing day, I would start off by making myself a latte or a cup of tea before sitting in my office to work. If I’m writing a new book I will put on my playlist where I saved all of the music that inspires me and cues my brain into “writing mode.” An unusual part of my writing is that if I’m stuck on a story I might put on a movie in the background that conveys the feeling and the vibes that I want to insert into my book. For The Dark Becomes Her, that meant I watched a lot of scary movies with great atmosphere that I tried to carry over into my own writing.
What messages or themes do you hope readers take away from your book?
The Dark Becomes Her was written because I wanted to showcase the pressures of growing up with a lot of family expectations that may not match what you want for yourself. It’s my hope that readers will relate to Ruby’s experience and her journey of finding a place where she feels like she finally belongs, and also acknowledge that being a teenager is sometimes a terrifying experience in itself! I hope that readers learn part of growing up is figuring out what type of person you want to be and that high school is not forever.
What advice do you have for kids who are interested in writing?
Read, read, read. Read all sorts of different types of writing. Essays, comics, short stories, poetry, biographies… Read widely to try many different genres to see what you like, and if you find a genre that you really love, read deeply in that genre. And be curious, keep learning, inspiration can be found in so many different places. I’ve been inspired by historical books on tea banquets, magazine articles on poisonous plants, and all sorts of topics that are fascinating to learn about. Many times one topic will lead me to another and that pool of knowledge enriches the stories I’m able to write.