1. What inspired you with the ideas for this book?
I was inspired on two major levels: one was having a chance to revisit the world and characters from the first book (which was actually written as a standalone). At first, I was worried that creating a sequel to a book with such a neatly tied-up ending would be impossible. But then I thought about what Alexis had learned—and much more importantly, what she hadn’t learned yet but needed to.
I was also inspired by the cultural obsession with celebrity, fame, money, and material success. “From Bad to Cursed” deals with a group of girls who pledge their allegiance to a spirit in exchange for his gifts of beauty, charm, popularity, etc. It’s definitely something I would have been tempted by when I was a teen! But now that I’m older, I have a different perspective on those things, and a lot of my current viewpoint ended up being woven into the book.
2. Do you use inspirations tools when you write? (ie. music, quotes, special spots)
Whenever I write a book (or am thinking about it), I put together a music playlist and listen to it constantly, although not usually when I’m writing. The songs give me a feel for the tone, and specific songs reflect specific scenes or the relationships between certain characters.
I also love to spread my fluffy Chococat blanket on the floor and lie on it (usually with my dog Winston snuggled up at my side!). I have my notebook and I write all sorts of notes, questions, and musings.
3. How much research did you have to complete for this book?
Not too much. I made most of it up! But what I had to start doing was keeping track of my own rules, because even though I wrote them, I would catch myself trying to break them!
4. Do you have a favorite character and why?
I think writers have to pretty much love all of their characters. I still love Alexis, obviously, and I really like Kasey in this book. There’s also a secondary character named Farrin that I’m very fond of.
5. Do you base any of your characters personalities off of people you actually know?
Not intentionally. I think most of them are a blend of people I have met over my life! In terms of physical type, I sometimes picture real people as the characters, but personality-wise, they’re not the same.
6. Did you find yourself having an easier or harder time with book 2?
Well, I had years to rewrite my first book! And I had to start at the very beginning with “From Bad to Cursed” and have a totally complete novel in a year. So that was tough. At the same time, it was a ton of fun, and I feel like with every book I write, I become a better storyteller. So it’s a little bit of both, actually!
7. Will there be another book in this series?
Yes! The third book will be out next summer. It picks up a couple of months after the end of the second book.
8. Do you have any music or a soundtrack you put together while writing?
Yes! I post the full playlist on my website, but for this book, two of the most inspirational songs for me were “They” by Jem and “Anthems for a Seventeen-Year-Old Girl” by Broken Social Scene.
