Fan Interview

A while ago I asked on my author page on Facebook for fans to ask me questions they'd like to see me answer in my upcoming vlog. I'm still planning on doing a vlog but there are some things I need to do first before making one. So.. I've decided to use some of these questions for our first Fan Interview. So here we go...

 1st question is from Jen Hawk: When did you decide to be a writer? Why? 

I figured it out with the help of my younger sister. She was looking through the shorten version of Silenced and suggested I add to it. She said it’d make a very good book to help spread awareness for self harm and depression.

 2nd question is from Aileen Aroma: Did anyone influence you to write Silenced?

There are several things that have inspired me to write SILENCED. First of all the lack of knowledge that I’m seeing when it comes to depression and self harm. I’ve met so many people that had no clue self harm existed.  Second I suffer from depression and in the past did cutting to help me feel I had control some where within my life. I felt like the depression controlled me.  In my opinion, it’s time that depression and self harm become another issue people bring awareness to.

SILENCED isn’t about having the perfect storyline or the perfect adventure. It’s to help people understand. Thus inspiring me to try to help those people understand.

 

 3rd question is from Kate Warren: What's the first book you remember reading (and loving) as a child?

This one took me a while to think about. I've read so many books (and loved them) over the years. The one that sticks out the most to me is Night by Elie Wiesel. 

4th question is from Greg Stephen Buda: What are your goals as a writer?

I have several goals for different aspects of my writing. My overall goal for being a writer is to get my name out there along with my work. If you'd ask me what my goal is for Silenced... it's to send the message that cutting isn't the only option for those who are going through it and to help those who don't suffer to understand.

5th question is from Tara Davisson: What is your target audience?

My target audience with Silenced is young adults. Anyone 13 and older due to the depth of the scenes within Silenced as well as drugs, drinking, and some sexual content.

6th question is from Brandy Jeffus Corona: Who is your favorite character??

Amber Brown is my favorite character. I based her off of a few people I know and she’s all of them mixed into one. She’s the outcast in school and finds her one true friend in Casey. This was me in high school. It was hard to find where I fit in. Her outlook comes from a mixture of people I met and based her off of.

7th question is from Carole Ronneberg:  What inspires book titles?

The title just came to me. I felt that when my main character Amber cuts, she’s silencing the feelings that go along with depression.

  

I want to thank all seven of you that submitted questions. If you posted a question and you don't see it here... keep your eye open for the next Fan Interview...they may be posted there. If you have any questions you'd like to add on for the next interview.. feel free to post them in the comments below or visit my author page.