When did you start writing? Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
Writing was the first career I ever wanted to do. I started writing stories in elementary school. I was obsessed with Goosebumps and Fear Street and was fascinated by the storytelling format of the show Are You Afraid of the Dark?
I’d use those multicolor pens and an old composition notebook and write my own scary stories based on my favorite books and episodes. I majored in English in college and grad school, but I didn’t actively pursue writing a novel until 2017.
How did you come up with the idea for Chloe Cates is Missing?
The idea for CCIM came from several threads.
First, as I was up with my son in the middle of the night, I’d binge watch crappy reality TV, mainly Dance Moms, and I was struck by how far some of the parents would go to not only ensure the spotlight for their daughters, but for themselves.
Paired with some aimless scrolling of filtered family moments and some low-key jealousy of why-didn’t-I-have-my-shit-together-like-the-rest-of-these-moms—I had the beginnings of a character who was determined to be famous at the expense of her family.
I also really loved the nostalgia kick of the 90s, so the secondary thread of Jennifer’s backstory was born. From there, it was about weaving those strands together in a way that wasn’t too outlandish.
Author Biography
You have a BA in English Education and MA in English Literature. How did these degrees influence or inspire your writing?
Excellent question. My degrees are important to me for many reasons. That’s not to say I think they are everything. You do not need a degree to be an author, but my education helped me in fundamental ways.
I was lucky enough to have fantastic undergraduate and graduate English departments with professors who stressed not only the basics, but also pushed me to experiment with my writing. From literary analyses to poetry to theatre and everything in between, I explored different genres, voices, pedagogies, and critiques that expanded my skills and core knowledge.
One of my fondest memories is getting a two-page critique of Robert Frost’s poem “Fire and Ice” returned with giant red slash marks from my professor. It was humbling and enlightening to realize how much work I still needed to put in, that being able to express ideas clearly was essential as a writer, and that no matter what I may think, I have no control over a reader’s interpretation. I can only do my best to get the words down.
Did you have a specific writing routine/process for Chloe Cates is Missing? Has that changed at all?
Specific in that it was ever-changing and unplanned? Lol. CCIM was the quickest first draft I’ve finished, to date. I wrote it in less than a month with minimal plotting and no clue where it was going to end.
I keep a notebook to flesh out ideas at the start of the chapter, take notes as I question character motivations and future plot points, or to keep track of my unruly thought process without planning every minute detail.
I love not knowing where a character is going to take me, and while I do have a habit of editing as I work, I am a fan of flexibility in execution.
You’re represented by Anne Tibbets of the Donald Maass literary agency. What was it about Anne that made you want to work with her? Do you have any advice on what writers should look for in an agent?
I love agent questions! The first thing I would stress is that getting an agent is a process that should not be rushed.
Do your research before you query. Create a list and check out their socials. Are they interested in your genre? Do they have similar reading preferences? What, specifically, are they currently looking for on their MSWL?
I had no “ins” in publishing when I decided to send out my first MS, and I have no shame in admitting that I’ve had a few agents since my early days. It is important to find someone who is on the same wavelength as you, who can see the value in your current work but also the potential of your future.
Anne is an absolute powerhouse. She is a fierce advocate for my work and my career, and I’m thrilled to have her in my corner. She’s whip-smart and communicates well, and I’m lucky that I can just as easily send her pictures of Jensen Ackles as I can go to her for professional advice.
You don’t need to be friends with your agent, but I am incredibly grateful to have such a good relationship with Anne.
As an experienced author, what do you suggest for aspiring authors? Any advice or suggestions that worked for you that you can pass along?
There are some more obvious answers here: read a lot. Write a lot. Don’t give up. But I want to stress how amazing it was for me to find the writing community on Twitter.
I started out writing horror, and through that community, I found a network of writers who supported my work and efforts of putting myself out there. It also introduced me to authors I might not have otherwise known. I know the big push right now is to get that Viral Moment on TikTok (and I’d be lying if I said part of me wasn’t hoping that Chloe Cate has that moment) but that platform is not for everyone and that’s okay.
What book(s) are you reading at the moment?
What book(s) are you reading at the moment? I’m reading *several* books at the moment. I’m halfway through Josh Malerman’s next release Daphne which is absolutely phenomenal. I’m also reading May Cobb’s My Summer Darlings (an absolute must-read if you like spicy thrillers with flair) and Yung Pueblo’s outstanding poetry collection Clarity and Connection.
What book(s) most inspired you to write?
SO MANY. When I was younger, I primarily read Stephen King. On Writing, Different Seasons, and Wizard and Glass (book four in The Dark Tower series) changed my life. I devoured everything he published but didn’t branch out to other writers until I realized that my grasp on the market was narrow. I’m so glad I expanded my literary pool.
Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle hit me in a way no other memoir had ever done. Chevy Stevens’ Those Girls destroyed me in the best possible way. Megan Collins’ The Winter Sister was lyrical and beautiful and so well written I wanted to cry. Jennifer Hillier’s Jar of Hearts knocked me on my ass and left me speechless. Cina Pelayo’s Children of Chicago made me question how the stories I heard as a kid influenced my understanding of the world around me.
There are so many brilliant titles that it seems like I find new inspiration to do what I do in every work I read.
So now that Chloe Cates is Missing is out, what are you working on? Do you have another story in the works?
I’m currently finishing up edits on my second book, a thriller called Play the Fool. Loosely inspired by King Lear, it focuses on a woman who decides to murder her husband (for reasons, of course) but someone beats her to it and tries to frame her for the crime.
I just sent Book 3 to my agent and I am outlining my next manuscript (which will be my seventh book overall). Busy busy and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What do you hope people take away from reading your books?
More than anything, I am grateful that people are reading my books. The thrill of that never gets old.
No one thing could encapsulate what I’m trying to achieve; every book comes from a different place. With CCIM, I wanted to look at motherhood, social media, and the agency we give our kids in this burgeoning digital world.
With PTF, I was exploring independence and gender stereotypes as well questioning the dependence society puts on women when it comes to family vs career. No matter what I’m writing, however, I hope there’s always something for readers to discuss after.
