What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Legacy of Power?
Legacy of Power is a prequel to my Leftover Girl series. Set in 1990, It takes place 25 years before Leftover Girl and revolves around Charlie Conners, a teen who finds out her mother is an alien and she’s inherited the power to shoot with precision. I always planned to write this story one day, but jumped into it head first after the death of someone close. Writing this story was a powerful way to work through the grief.
If you woke up in the world of Legacy of Power, what is the first thing you would do?
If I woke up and realized I was Charlie, I’d make sure I had my gun close by and call my sister to tell her how truly sorry I was. Might be tough, though, since cell phones aren’t easy to come by in 1990.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
Is it the same as your favorite genre to write? For reading, I’m torn between YA Sci-fi and Fantasy, plus I love historical romance and Pride and Prejudice retellings. For writing, YA Sci-fi and Paranormal are my favorites.
What fictional world would you most like to visit?
I take a break from writing to see the various Marvel and DC movies, and I have a ton of fantasy books I check in with when new releases drop, but I spend so much time living in my own world I have to say it feels most like home.
What book did you expect to hate, but ended up loving?
I recently read A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas. Based on the beginning, I thought I’d absolutely hate the main character and never finish the book. Got to give Ms. Maas credit since she changed my mind by the end.
What’s your favorite thing about writing? What’s your least favorite thing about it?
My favorite part about writing is the intense feeling of finally nailing the story I’ve seen in my head. My least favorite thing is the anxious feeling I get when I want to write too many stories at a time.
What scene in Legacy of Power was your favorite to write?
I don’t know about favorites but I put a ton of emotion into this book. I don’t always have good memories of growing up in the early nineties, but Charlie has so much on her plate and some things I couldn’t help but revisit. When I started this story, the first scene was originally going to be (stop reading if you hate spoilers) the final one with her mom. I pictured those last few moments a few years back when I wrote the fifth Leftover Girl book, and the connection between mother and daughter has always had a special place in my heart. However, I realized I wanted more for her. I wanted to show the relationship with her mother and how this shaped the person Charlie becomes.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
Write now. Fear later.
What will your next adventure or writing project be?
Currently, I’m working on a new series that continues my Leftover Girl Universe. This will be for readers who enjoyed The Fear Chronicle books and want to see what happens next. It will weave new storylines for characters from all of my books and finish threads I haven’t been able to before. I’m also working on the second season of Legacy of Power which will be released in February!
