FAQs
Q: When did you start writing?
A: I used to make up stories when I played with my stuffed animals. I used to create whole worlds and action-dramas that would go on for weeks. As soon as was able to, I would write little stories for my mom, cut them out, and staple them into book form. I started writing more seriously when I was ten.
Q: How did you get the idea for The Fire Stone?
A: The story came to me over time. I first started thinking about it when I was about eleven and then it started to snowball. By the time I started to write it, the whole five books were in my head.
Q: How long did it take you to write The Fire Stone?
A: After I outlined the story, it took me about a month (June 2008) to write the first draft. It sort of grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let go of me until I was finished! Of course then it took months of editing to get it right.
Q: When will the next book in the series come out and what is it called?
A: The Fire Stone, is the first book in The Reign of the Elements series, and the subsequent books are called, in order: The Water Stone, The Wind Stone, The Immortality Scroll, and The Final Alliance.
Q: Are you still in high school?
A: Yes, I'm a senior, but I have a really cool situation. I used to go to a college prep high school, but I left after the beginning of tenth grade. I take classes from Johns Hopkins University and some other programs, mostly online. It's really enjoyable - I get to go at a much faster pace and I get to work whenever I want to during the day. Usually I do my schoolwork in the morning and speak at schools, write, and work on my literacy nonprofit during the afternoon.
Q: What are your favorite books, movies, music, etc.?
A: Some of my favorite authors are Suzanne Collins, Cinda Williams Chima, J.K Rowling, T.A. Barron, Emily Bronte, Brian Jacques, Jonathan Stroud, Eoin Colfer, Harper Lee, Phillip Pullman, and Garth Nix. My favorite movies are the Lord of the Rings trilogy (by far), Freedom Writers, Hitch, Up, The Italian Job, and the new Star Trek. My favorite band is Coldplay.
Q: Have you always lived in Colorado?
A: No. My parents are both from Colorado, but when I was younger I lived in Chicago. I moved to Telluride, Colorado when I was seven for a year and a half, and then we moved to Denver. The picture above is Mt. Wilson taken from our house when we lived in Telluride.
Q: Do you have brothers or sisters?
A: I have an older brother named Nick who is a senior in college and is 6 foot 6 inches tall. He's pretty much amazing and is as good as a brother gets. I am exactly a foot shorter than Nick.