I definitely look up to Veronica Roth, Suzanne Collins, and J.K. Rowling.

I didn't have a desk to write 'Red Queen' on, so I got a nice writing desk.

'Jurassic Park' and 'Star Wars' shoved me into loving sci-fi and film in general when I was a barely coherent 3-year-old. And 'Lord of the Rings' took me to another planet entirely. Before that series, I knew I loved writing, but after, I knew that I had to write.

I'm really enamored with the idea of a reformed society, and I've always been fascinated with the Dark Ages as well as the power vacuum that followed the fall of the Roman Empire.

I start out giving characters archetypes and parameters. Once I know the basics and have a rudimentary model, it's easier to carve unique curves and edges. It's quite easy to guess how a character is going to react if you know their background, and at a certain point, you realize you understand them personally.

My favorite part about Mare Barrow is her almost selfish survival instinct, as well as her increasingly gray morality. Her character arc in 'Glass Sword' is a lot deeper and more emotional than before, so I'm glad I got to write this sequel and that people want to read it.

I like to let the story flesh itself out, and usually, the characters make their own decisions as things get under way. Dialogue especially seems to write itself once I'm familiar with the characters and their backgrounds.

I have sort of weaned myself off of reading my own reviews, which is a constant struggle.

I write, having seen what's happening already in my head. I see it as a movie, and I'm just writing down what's happening in front of me.

I don't necessarily set out to teach or say anything in particular in my writing. Morals and themes come out as I'm telling the tale.