An Interview with Myself
Happy New Year, friends! A lot happened in 2025 both for my accomplishments and in the real world (which I avoid when I can), and 2026 is shaping up to be another big year for me. Some of you have been around and some of you are new, so I thought I would share some things about myself through a self-interview. Let me know if anything resonates with you, or if you totally disagree! I’d love to discuss more over on my socials.
1. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Growing up, I remember being bored with reading. It wasn’t until 2nd or 3rd grade that I was truly ‘allowed’ to read chapter books. (Thanks Accelerated Reader! /s) After that, I started to really dig into stories with interesting characters and exciting plots. My school also ran a program every year when each student wrote their own short book, which was then entered into a competition. My stories started growing too long for the provided blank books in about 4th grade, and that’s when I knew I had a lot to say through written word. At one point in middle school I thought I wanted to be a journalist because it seemed more like a ‘real’ job than writing fiction, but then I started writing full-fledged fantasy novels that I shared with my sister chapter-by-chapter, and I was completely hooked. I thought about pursuing creative writing in college, but eventually landed on engineering because I love that kind of creative problem solving and the job security and pay were attractive. I landed in the grand ol’ automotive industry (like so many engineers in Michigan) and put off my dream of writing epic fantasy until a couple of years ago.
2. How did you learn to write?
I was always a skilled writer in school. I paid attention to the stories we had to read in English class and put effort into my writing projects. But there are two factors I attribute most of my skill to: reading veraciously and writing, writing, writing. I devoured YA and adult fantasy books of all kinds starting in junior high. I wrote, first for my sister, then for Wattpad, and always throughout for myself. My skill boils down to what most people would give credit to–study and practice.
3. Who are your favorite authors?
I have so many favorite authors. I’ll start the list with the obvious, J. R. R. Tolkien. Some readers take issue with his long, sometimes meandering descriptions, but I loved all of it. (I’m team Bombadil, by the way.) My first big epic fantasy series was the Inheritance Cycle, and Christopher Paolini earned his spot on my list. No dragon has been able to knock Saphira out of my top spot. A more recent addition is Rachel Gillig. I couldn’t put down her Shepherd King Duology. Her skill of communicating such a fantastical setting with new, interesting magic and not spending 700 pages on it is something I aspire to. Another predictable name is Brandon Sanderson, but I have to caveat that I’ve only read Mistborn and Warbreaker. I plan to get into the Stormlight Archive, but I’ve been putting off diving into it. Finally, Leigh Bardugo has made it onto the list. The Six of Crows Duology is amazing and I loved The Familiar. I’m looking forward to reading more from her! There are more, but this blog would be never-ending!
4. What is your favorite part of writing?
My favorite part is when I’m getting through the beginning of a book, after I’ve plotted the big things and put a little meat on the bones of the characters, when suddenly the characters are telling me exactly what they’d do next and the world is telling me exactly where the plot is. That, to me, is my runner’s high. I have never felt runner’s high, but I imagine it feels like those moments when the words are putting themselves on the page. They may not be perfect, but they’re flowing like they’re meant to be there and I’m feeling each emotion I put on the page, every breeze or rain drop, each cut of a sword. Those moments come and go as the story progresses but the first one is the most exciting because it's the first ‘aha!’ moment.
5. How has writing Speak with the Dead changed you?
Speak with the Dead is the culmination of all of those years spent writing and wondering what was possible. It’s not perfect, but it’s a perfect representation of this point in my journey. By completing the story and then publishing it, I’ve proven what’s possible. The window I was daydreaming through has become a set of wide-open french doors. Now, I feel that anything is possible on my writing journey and I’m ready for the long game. The pedal is to the floor and I’m moving full-speed ahead. I can’t wait to build my author shelf and some day quit my day job to do this full time!
Want to support my writing? Pick up your copy of Speak with the Dead HERE, buy some merch HERE, or just say hi on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, or Facebook! If you want to meet me in person or want a signed copy, check out the list of events I’ll be at on my home page HERE.