o   Good question.  Mainly because I know it will have to be truthful and sometimes the stories we tell others about ourselves and about are family aren’t the most honest.  So, I’m mostly afraid of pissing off my family.  Trust me, some members of my family (who shall go unnamed - for now) have hot tempers.  My fear of them is real. 

No.  Central Indiana is a great place to grow up and raise a family.  Now, ask me if I regret the weather. 

The dark.  I’m not afraid of night.  I’m a big fan of night, especially the night sky, but dark rooms – no thank you.  And don’t even ask me about scary movies, especially in a dark theater.  No way!

Easy – because my brothers did. 

Because I love to read it!  I love the honesty in young adult literature.  Good writing, no matter the genre, must be honest.  But with YAL, it seems as if there’s an even higher standard because if you’re not authentic and honest with kids, they’ll call you out.  I don’t think it’s possible to write about or for adolescents with anything less than your most honest, authentic self.