One of the reasons I enjoy writing in the young adult genre so much is because I love the intensity and chaos of this particular time in a person’s life. Along with heightened emotions and swirling hormones comes falling in … Continue reading →

 When I was 20, so a bit older than the typical target YA reader, I fell into a mad-love relationship: love at first sight, international borders, nuclear submarines, the Persian Gulf and even an impact from U.S. President Nixon’s death. … Continue reading →

Many of you know that before I became an author, I worked as a pediatric neuropsychologist, diagnosing central nervous system disorders in children and young adults. While every case was different, one diagnosis was always a little more personal to … Continue reading →

When I was 16, my mother kicked me out of the house.  Why? I hadn’t put a glass in the dishwasher.  If you live under my roof, you live by my rules!  Mom had determined my incorrigible defiance would come … Continue reading →

As a reader, I can’t count how many times I’ve closed my eyes, clutched a book to my chest, and wailed over the horrors a beloved character is being forced to endure. I dare say we’ve all shouted, seethed, or … Continue reading →

Pop Quiz! (Yes, I hear every teen (and used-to-be-teen) groaning… 😄) In my YA fantasy novel, Evangeline’s Heaven, which of the follow scenarios can be defined as “trauma”?  Trick question.  Not because they’re all traumatic scenarios, but because the correct answer is that they … Continue reading →

If you were to try and figure out the most popular trope in YA literature, it’s a good guess “falling in love” would be at the top of the list. But, I think there’s a strong probability “grief” would be … Continue reading →