How did writing this book affect you?

 I’m drawn to intensity; the kind of emotions that unravel the characters so completely that you can’t tell where one ends, and the other begins. When I wrote Starcrush, I was going through a series of personal crises, compounded by an epic hurricane that decimated the Jersey Shore and left us without power for weeks. Many writers feel that whatever is going on in their personal life finds its way into the book. During that time, I found my writer’s voice and began to explore the genre.

In the book, every scene, every moment is sourced from an actual experience — something I felt or endured that left an impression on me. Writing this book gave me the presence to explore past encounters, past hurts and the ability to examine how they affected me from a safe distance.

Is there anything you haven’t written about that you would like to in the future?

Of course. There’s always something to write about. I would like to write a different kind of vampire book series, one that doesn’t make use of the usual behaviors and props. I want to write stories where romance is the driving force instead of  violence. I also want to write more poetic, lyrical prose that sways the modern reader like a music video.

Which of your characters would you want to be and why?

That’s easy. I would have to be Genna, because Genna is who I used to be before I was old enough to vote, not necessarily who I am now. She’s essentially a flawed creature, given to narcissistic impulse, easily disillusioned and ready to jump to all the wrong conclusions. Through Genna’s perspective, the reader experiences her growth. In the first part of the book, Genna is forever resisting her emotions. Later we see a gradual acceptance, a readiness to allow love to transform at the deepest, core levels. In the sequel, this transformation comes full circle and is truly … beyond perfect.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

Write under any set of circumstances — where conditions are uncomfortable and distracting. I seem to write best when I’m in this perfect mind set, when my body is fed and warm and music is lulling me into this creative trance-like state. I would like the ability to write with urgency, like a war correspondent in the middle of battle.

What are you currently reading?