Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve known I would be a writer since I was a kid. Growing up, I would often find myself lost in inner worlds, both those I found in books and those of my own imagining. My first novella, Lúnasa Days, was a work of magical realism set during the Great Recession. Since then I’ve written literary short stories and now the dreamy storyline of our coloring book, Introvert Dreams.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Introvert Dreams is a grownup coloring book with 90 pages of colorable artwork—and a storyline based on our own dreams as introverts. The story follows a woman and her cat as they wander through the vast, quiet landscapes of her inner dream world. Along the way they will find forgotten places, search for a wish-granting star, and ultimately find themselves in a loud, crowded city—somewhere she knows she won’t fit in.
As introverts ourselves, my co-creator Jenn Granneman and I find that we often feel alone or misunderstood. We wanted to make this book because we want introverts to see themselves in the story. Many of the scenes are taken straight from our life experiences, like being in the middle of a raging party that everyone else things is fun, but only wanting to cover our ears. Other scenes just represent that beautiful, imaginary, quiet place that I think all introverts retreat to when they have time to close their eyes and dream.
This is our first coloring book, although we are both experienced authors. We brought on a talented illustrator, Maxeem Konrardy (also an introvert), who has created a whimsical, breathtaking world. We also paid attention to what colorers told us they want in a book: the images stop just short of the edge of the page, so you’re not trying to color into the binding, and none of the big scenes are printed back-to-back, so you don’t lose one when your pens bleed through from the other. We want it to be a book you really cherish and enjoy revisiting for years.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think people imagine that all writers are passionate creatures who write when the inspiration strikes them. In that context I am a bit unusual—I have learned to maintain a very disciplined daily writing schedule. This never came easy to me, and I can remember spending hours just staring at a blank screen (or a few terrible ideas) and wanting to run and do something, anything else. But I think creative writing is like a muscle that can be trained and toned. With time, you learn to sit down and work a little more every day.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many. Lately, I have been deeply into literary short fiction and have really enjoyed contemporary authors like Ian McEwan, Katherine Damm and David Bradley. Throughout my adulthood I’ve been nourished by great magical realists (Isabel Allende, Carlos Ruiz Zafón) and early modern authors with a mystical bent (Hermann Hesse’s “Demian” really speaks to me). And for my whole life I’ve always loved good fantasy literature, no matter how far-fetched.
I think all of those influences blended together for Introvert Dreams, which tells a dreamy, magical tale that echoes with real life memories.
What are you working on now?
I’m starting a fantasy fiction series that will be released in free, weekly chapters online. I can’t say much about it yet, but it involves a group of young people who must go on a pilgrimage across a vast desert—and *think* they know what’s waiting for them on the other side.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think the best thing an author can do is just talk to their readers and be open and accessible on social media. Book promotion sites are useful, but I find that there’s really no substitute for readers who know and trust you.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Practice! I think many authors say something like, “Always believe in yourself,” and that’s true, but there will be times when you are 100% certain that what you wrote is awful, or even where you think you can’t even finish it. And sometimes you’ll be right. That’s okay. We all, all, all of us write some real stinkers on the way to honing our art. Just write again, and again, and again. It will pay off.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This is a personal choice that every writer needs to make, but for me, the best advice was “use an outline.” That works wonders for some writers and makes others feel held back. It’s worth trying out.
What are you reading now?
The latest issue of the Tin House literary magazine. Many authors don’t realize how much amazing fiction is published every month in lit mags. They are a wellspring of inspiration.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Thanksgiving turkey, a 1-day break after launching Introvert Dreams, and then diving right into the fiction series.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would probably bring 4 large, blank books, on the theory that a desert island is a very good place to get some writing done. But I might sneak a copy of Les Miserables in there for good measure.
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