(okay...maybe not frequently. But these questions HAVE been asked)

Questions About The Snowball Effect

What inspired you to write your book?
The short version of the story is that one morning I woke up and wondered what it would be like if my parents were dead and I had to raise my younger sisters. Yeah, this is the sort of morbid thought I have first thing in the morning. It occurred to me that I'd probably be really angry at my parents, and that's where the idea for Lainey came from.

What will your book make us do? Laugh, cry, become happy, something else?
I really hope it doesn't make anyone cry! Lainey's whole situation is pretty sad, but I think there are definitely funny parts (well, funny to me). And there's a bit of romance.

Questions About Me

Sweet or savory?:
I'm pretty fond of things that are sweet, especially anything cherry flavored.

Milk chocolate or dark?
I'll eat anything in a pinch, but I've always been partial to plain old Hershey's chocolate (with or without almonds).

Boxers or briefs:
Briefs. I like things to be compact.

If you could be a fly on the wall of any writer, who would it be?
Stephen King. I find him fascinating. I don't even really like horror as a genre anymore (I am a huge scaredy cat), but I've admired his writing since I was 11.

What are your thoughts on tapirs?
This question required me to read the wikipedia article on tapirs. The verdict: I like them. Baby tapirs are 100% adorable, and it's impossible to dislike an endangered species. Also, they get bonus points for being herbivores.

Have you ever crashed a funeral?
No, but I keep trying to work a funeral-crashing scene into a novel. When I finally come up with a reason to have a character crash a funeral, I will likely have to crash one for research.

What are three RANDOM FACTS about you?
1. I am afraid of fish.
2. I have a scar shaped like a Scottish Terrier on my left hand.
3. I have to make an "L" with my left hand before I know which side is left.

What is your favorite type of cookie?
There are so many good cookies out there. But I think my favorite has to be the ones my brother used to make for holidays, peanut butter cookies with a Hershey kiss melting in the center.

If you were a jelly bean, what flavor would you be?
Sour cherry.