I'm spending a great deal of time this semester at VCFA pondering the beginnings of stories. So many story elements to include: characters, desire lines, settings, inciting incidents... And deep within that, why am I as an author writing this story?

For my semester project, I've decided to take on Kurt, an antagonist from The Boy Next Door. I won't give spoilers for TBND, I promise, but those who've read the early drafts know that Kurt has done some not-so-easily-forgiven things. Why write about him, then?

Two reasons. First, I love this character. He's a bad guy in TBND, but Robert McKee, author of Story, says writers should love all their characters and I believe this is good advice. When you care about a character, you add depth and interest that you might not otherwise do. Second, who among us has really NEVER done something we later wish we hadn't?

Randy Ingermanson's popular Snowflake Method for novel writing has a lot of suggestions that I find useful, including the idea of starting your work with a single sentence of what your novel is going to be about. I also find it helpful to consider a question that I'll be exploring. I think that for this novel, my question is this: Can you ever put back the pieces if you shatter somebody else's life?

The answer? It'll take a whole novel. :-)

It's been 70 days since residency and as I wait for my advisor's feedback, I'm reading YA novels (e. Lockhart's We Were Liars and Matt de la Pena's We Were Here are next on my list) and taking a virtual trip back to Vermont. So here's a few more pics from summer residency at "Hogwarts" for children's and young adult writers, this time with why Vermont College of Fine Arts is better than wizarding school.

The Forbidden Forest isn't forbidden - and instead of dangerous creatures it offers awesome trails with views like these:

Many thanks to Joan Donaldson, author of the Cumberland Mountain series, for inviting me along on this creative adventure. Here goes...

If my character were a glass of wine... The Boy Next Door is a pretty intense romance, so in this case I don't think it matters what kind of wine it is - it's sitting on the coffee table while Maddy and Gabe ignore it in favor of some quality couch time together.

What sort of meal is my book? I'm going to have to go with Chinese takeout - so delicious you'll scarf through it and want more. :-)

Snack? Strawberries just picked from a Kansas farm field - this YA romance is juicy.

Your character's choice of candy? For Maddy, it'd be milk chocolate - the color of Gabe's eyes. For Gabe, cherry candy like the scent of Maddy's shampoo.

What sort of fragrance would be associated with your book? Something fresh and sporty, maybe DKNY's Be Delicious with its blond wood and white amber base topped with light notes of green apple, cucumber, and grapefruit.

What is your most memorable meal? I have a lot of wonderful memories of extended family dinners at my grandmother's house, a monthly tradition when I was growing up that I recreated in The Boy Next Door with the "families night" tradition of Maddy and Gabe's parents.

How would you describe your writing? I strive to capture a passion for life in my writing, drawing from my joy for figure skating, my hunger for personal improvement, and my love of the simplicity of life in the Midwest.

What's your favorite beverage to accompany a good book? I like a cup of tea, either English Breakfast with milk or Harney & Sons Paris blend.

Preferred salty snack? Chipotle cheddar on crackers.

Next week, you'll hear from Jennifer Comeaux, whose yummy NA figure skating novel Crossing the Ice just hit the shelves last month.