Thanks for joining me today, Renèe. We’re going to start with a little flight of fancy. How would you finish these sentences?

If I could travel anywhere in time and space, it would be to…

I’d love to hit pause long enough for a face-to-face visit with Jesus. I’d ask to see myself through his eyes. How would that conversation end up changing me? Would I be more patient with myself? Less critical?  Or would I end up in a frenzy trying to change my choices and my life?  I don’t know, but I can’t imagine any other encounter having a more profound impact on me.

That would be amazing!

If I could assign one household task to the fairies forever, it would be…

Just one? Well, if I’m forced to choose, it would be cleaning the bathrooms. Too much wet hair and soap scum. Gross.

Definitely not my favourite job!

If I were a musical instrument, I would be a… 

Violin. They can resonate deep or be fun and fiddly.

Great choice!

If I could say one thing to my younger self, it would be…

Untangle the messiness of your heart. Pull out the weeds in there, water the good seeds planted by your maker, then follow your heart.

Sounds like good advice!

If I could be an Olympic athlete, I would compete in…

Gymnastics. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a gymnast so badly. I took a stab at it, but I was at least a head taller than other girls my age and twice as clumsy. Didn’t work out. 

Ditto for me, I’m afraid.

When I was a child, I wanted to be a…

As I child, I don’t remember any big career ambitions. But, I played school and house a lot, so I’m sure the idea of becoming a teacher and a mom wasn’t too far from my mind. Incidentally, I did have three children and I homeschooled them for ten years.

I’m a homeschooling mum too!

One item on my bucket list is…

Everything on my bucket list is a travel destination. Near the top is a cruise to Norway. I’m part Norwegian, and I’d love to explore my roots along that dramatic coastline. 

That would be gorgeous. And cold!

Now down to business. What sparked the idea for this story?

The idea for the “I Am Girl” books stemmed from years of working in ministry with middle grade girls. I love the openness of their minds, hearts, and souls as they explore who they are. It’s a confusing, awkward time as they straddle childhood and the more independent teen years. I wanted to address this inevitable struggle, which creates serious problems in Violet’s life. She’s willing to lie and sneak around to make some grown-up decisions, but finds herself in way over her head.

Could you introduce us to your main characters and give us a few adjectives you think best describe them?

VIOLET (Our heroine) – Dishonest, daring, tender-hearted, and generous.
REX (the antagonist) – Cruel, loud-mouthed, and wounded.
SLOANE (Violet’s BFF) – Brilliant, talented, and mischievous.
TREY (Violet’s skatepark buddy) – Loyal, energetic, and honest.
OLIVER (Violet’s brother) – Non-verbal, artistic, and faithful
JOZA (Violet’s elderly mentor) – Wise, perceptive, holy, and forgiving.  
SENATOR WINDSOR (Violet’s dad) – Respected, commanding, and generous.
MRS. WINDSOR (Violet’s mom) – Energetic, athletic, and superficial.
MARIA (Violet’s nanny) – Hard-working, loving, and exhausted.

Violet is a New York City girl, and Carabelle (from your first book) lives in rural Mississippi. Which of these characters did you find it easier to identify with and why? 

Definitely Carabelle the country girl. Although I spent the first half of my life as a city girl in both Seattle and Los Angeles, I’ve been a Mississippi country girl for almost twenty years, now. I love the night sounds of crickets chirping and frogs bellowing under a bright canopy of stars. I love the quiet mornings beside my glassy little lake. I love the lush green meadows and pine forests.  Mississippi wouldn’t suit Violet, though. Its country roads are narrow and twisty, with no safe shoulders for skateboarding — or walking for that matter, unless you want to stumble through tall grass and cotton fields.  Not nearly enough skate-friendly concrete for Violet’s taste.

If you were a character in this story, what would you have found most challenging?

If I were Violet, I would have found it most challenging to break free from the high-society mold in which my parents expected me to fit. The gap between their expectations and my own desires would make me feel like giving up. I would be afraid to show them who I really am, for fear of their disappointment.

What surprised you about these characters or their story as you wrote?

My characters have a tendency to gather up their own energy and leap right out of my outline. In book one, this both surprised and annoyed me. When one part of an outline changes, it has a trickle-down effect and the whole story morphs. It changes for the better, though, so I’ve learned to perceive my outlines as more of a loose direction for the story.

What did you learn from these characters as you wrote their story?

I learned a lot, especially when researching autism for Violet’s brother, Oliver. I chose for him to be autistic and non-verbal because I liked to imagine how high-achieving, socially visible parents like Violet’s might respond to the challenge of being special need parents. Not being a special need parent myself, I watched a lot of YouTube videos posted by parents of non-verbal autistic children to learn about their behaviors. It was inspiring to see the love between these children and their parents, and how they work through the challenges of autism. I also researched artistic savants, especially those with autism, and was fascinated by their extraordinary talents.

Do you have a favorite scene or an excerpt you would like to share with us?

I am in love with Violet’s ending, but to share it as an excerpt wouldn’t make sense without a lot of back story. I chose an excerpt from the first chapter, which offers a glimpse into Violet’s rebellious nature that that propels a lot of the storyline.