Where are you from?

California!

How old are you?

31

What and who inspired you into reading and/or writing?

I'm an only child, and I learned to entertain myself at an early age. My dad would take me on weekly bicycle rides to the local library, and so there was never a shortage of books in the house. The writing was a bit more complex. My family moved when I was very young, and I had a pen pal from our old town as soon as I could write. I had lots of diaries while growing up too. I would start lots of stories but never got very far. It wasn't until my muse Seto Kaiba entered the picture that I started writing anything substantial. I guess technically speaking that means Kazuki Takahashi inspired me, but I never had direct fantasies of Kazuki Takahashi.

What was the first book that you read that started your love for reading?

I can't remember the very first. My parents claim that my first word was "Curious George," but there have been so many other books over the years. "Sagwa The Chinese Siamese Cat" was particularly inspirational for me. It's a story about social change, and I gave my copy to my dead boyfriend's daughter for her birthday back when I thought I wasn't going to have kids. Then I got married and sent a copy to my new nephew. I'll buy another copy when I have kids.

What was the turning point in your life that you decided to take your writing seriously?

That would be when the professor for the university writing course I was required to take told me that I had earned the only A in his course all year. I majored in a science-based discipline. Although I had a lot of term papers to write and wrote them well, I had a love-hate relationship with writing. It was stressful, not something to take pleasure in. After that course, however, I began writing a Seto Kaiba fanfic in the back of one of my university notebooks, and it took off. That was back in 2010.

What is the inspiration for your stories?

My entire life inspires my stories. Joan shares the same goals and desires I have. Emotionally speaking, she's been through the same things I have. I've changed some minor details here and there, but we're the same at our core. We both aim to "be the change you want to see in the world."

Do you outline your stories or write whatever comes to mind?

It's a little of both. I always have some notes on the side, but sometimes the characters take things in a direction I never expected. That's what happened while I was writing Chapter 40, and then they kept throwing surprises at me.

What is your method of beginning to writing a book?

It starts with hours upon hours of daydreaming. It's more of a pre-sleep fantasy. I dream until I have something so good I can't resist writing it down.

Do you ever get attached to the characters in your story? If so, what part of their personality or quirks do you find relatable?

I was in love with my characters years before I started writing about them. I can't begin to count the ways they make my world go round. I can't do it without crying, at least. When one of them is causing trouble for me, the others step in to help.

Do you base your characters on people in your personal life, imagination, or both?

When they're not Yu-Gi-Oh! characters, 80% personal life, 20% imagination.

What is the best part of writing a story?

Editing/proofreading. That's when I get to sit back and enjoy what I have written and only change things if it seems off. Typing, on the other hand, is where I make most of my changes. I write by hand in a paper notebook first, let it sit for a long time, type it while making lots of changes, let it sit another month while my husband reads it and gives feedback, and then I reread it several times before it goes live. It's the last two reads that are the most enjoyable.

How do you deal with writer's block?

I set time aside every night before bed for writing. When I get stuck, I go to sleep while thinking over the problem. When I don't have a story to think about, I wind up stressing over things and not sleeping well. Escaping into my fantasy world before bed improves my quality of sleep.

Would you want to see your story or stories be adapted? If so, who would you want to play your characters?

Yes. I write my stories not only for entertainment but also for activism. I want the message to reach as many people as possible. If one of those ways is through a movie, so be it. As for actors, I have absolutely no idea about that department. I only watch movies when a friend or lover wants to show me something, and I've never been starstruck enough to do any research on actors.

What kind of advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

Keep in touch with your imaginary friends as well as your physical ones. They all have things to teach you. Most of all, keep in touch with yourself. Write from your heart. You may feel alone at times, but there is always someone out there who feels what you feel and is too afraid to express it.

Are you working on a new story?

I'm having too much fun writing the current one to think about another right now. I'm also too busy in day-to-day life to juggle multiple stories at the same time. I'm already juggling multiple lovers, after all.