Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like? Did you have any particular experiences/stories that shaped your adult life?

I grew up in Midvale, Utah. I had a really good childhood. We were poor, but I’m glad for it—it taught me to work and budget, and to appreciate what I have. We had family dinners, my dad built us tree houses, and I had three sisters to play with/torment. 🙂

I don’t have any breathtaking stories to share. I definitely have emotional experiences growing up that filter into my writing—but I think all authors do. We funnel our pains, embarrassment, power, betrayal, and elation into our characters, and that kind of reflected empathy is what makes them come to life.

What is something you wish you would’ve realized earlier in your life?

That it doesn’t matter and so many things aren’t important. I wish I’d had a spine at a younger age. Stood up for myself more. But I’m glad I have one now. 😉

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?

Write what you know. Why would you do that? Why write about what you’ve already lived and experienced? Write something you don’t know. Discover something new. Create and explore new worlds. Wield magic. Fight dragons. Don’t hold back.

Tell me about one of the darker periods you’ve experienced in life. How you came out of it and what you learned from it?

There was a time recently where I got a glimpse into what it was like to be depressed. It was horrible. I feel so much more for people who struggle with depression regularly. I had to change how I did things, really evaluate my life and my processes, and learn more about myself to pull out of that one. It taught me to slow down, to think, and to set the bar high . . . but not higher than I could jump.

What is one thing that you do that you feel has been the biggest contributor to your success so far?

The way my brain works, and there are some aspects to this I’ve only recently discovered. I’m weird. I’ve always been weird. And I think, having my creativity filter through that weirdness, helped me stand out in slush piles, and helps me get the attention of readers. I’m focused. I get things done because it stresses me out to procrastinate. And I’m not a perfectionist. In fact, I’m not even going to proofread this interview, so I hope you have a copy editor on hand! The drive for perfection can tear people, especially creatives, apart. Sometimes “good enough” is what gets drafts done, dinner made, kids to bed, etc.

What is your morning routine?

I wake up at 6:11 every morning. I read my scriptures, check my notifications, and eat breakfast. I help my husband get kids ready for school, then either go to the basement or the gym to exercise. Get home, shower, and start work at 9:00 AM.

What habit or behavior that you have pursued for a few years has most improved your life?

Funny that this is the next question because I’d probably say that morning routine! I’m the smartest in the morning, so waking up early so I can finish all those tasks and still have prime writing time is really important to me. It throws me off when I can get into my office on time. And exercising has really improved my health, confidence, and productivity—I started doing that two years ago. I also gave up sugar in June and now I don’t need that afternoon nap anymore!

What are your strategies for being productive and using your time most efficiently?

My answer to questions like this is always really disappointing: be a type-A personality. XD I mentioned my brain being a contributor to my success, and I’m not lying. I’m a go-getter. I always have been. I am unhappy if I’m not productive and progressing. It’s just how I’m wired.

BUT. I was always a believer that hard work pays off, so I put in the work. I used to hold myself to a daily word count. If I missed any words, I would make them up the next day. I was devoted to that number, and that’s how I got my first book (and second, and third) finished. And I let myself suck. Some of the best writing advice I ever got was, “Allow yourself to suck.” I stopped worrying about how good my words sounded and just WORDED.

And, eventually, it paid off.

What book(s) have influenced your life the most? Why?

Probably Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones. Both that and the Studio Ghibli adaptation have wriggled themselves into my creative process. That novel is a comparison title for probably half my works.

Do you have any quotes you live by or think of often?

“Fake it ‘til you make it.”