• Can you please tell me about yourself. Something that's not written in your author bio.

I'm glad you mentioned something that's not written in my author bio, because I tend to copy + paste that everywhere. So, let's see. I have plain white walls everywhere in my apartment. My bedroom is basically a bed and two nightstands. People think it's a little nutty looking, like an asylum... but I just haven't taken time to decorate my apartment. I've lived here nearly two years now, so I figure, why spend the money? Also, I didn't have a couch for over a year... I sat on the floor to eat, watch TV, write... basically I lived on my carpet.

Anyway, obviously I, like Ima, need some computers hooked into my brain so that someone decorates my walls for me. :)

• What made you decide to write a book?

I feel like I mostly write because I can't help it. I love to write and that's how I express myself, day in and day out. I can never understand how people want to be writers or authors when they don't write. I always think, "Then why aren't you writing every day?" I organically average at least 2,000 words a day writing. When I'm finishing up a manuscript, I average closer to 5,000 words a day.

• How much time you spent writing this book?

I have no idea. Months of planning and thinking, and at least 150 hours of writing/editing.

• What are the perks you get for being an author?

There are perks to this job? Hahaha. I get a lot of books in the mail, I guess, though that has ended since I don't have a review blog and I rarely review books anyway. I'm just not a reviewer. Also, I took down my address from my website, so people stopped mailing me things. I have so much stuff to read already—between my editing work, my own writing work, and books sitting on my Kindle, I really can't add much more.

Probably the real perk is having people who genuinely enjoy sharing my worlds and characters with me. That's the true reward.

• What is the hardest part of being an author?

The publishing part. If I had my way I would never be done with my books. I'd have eternity to edit and perfect them. Alas, that isn't very productive, so publishing is a must.

• Who is the first person the comes into your mind when the word "HOT" is uttered?

Hahaha. Actually, my boyfriend came to mind! I know, not the answer you were expecting.

• Who is your biggest celebrity crush?

I have a huge crush on Drew Roy. He's on a brilliant Steven Spielberg show called Falling Skies. He also did Hannah Montana and iCarly, so he's probably better known to tweens than anyone else. I tried to tweet him to tell him that he was my fav, but he didn't respond! He must get a lot of those.

Either way, I've already cast Drew Roy as the movie version of one of the characters in my books, Pilot in Silver Smoke, my other YA series.

• If you're going to heaven, who would you bring with you?

Wow! Interesting question. I guess my boyfriend. I am so creative, I know!

• If you're going to hell, who is that one person you would drag down with you?

Oh man. I would feel awful about casting someone into hell. There is someone I really dislike right now (more than anyone in the world) but I couldn't even cast him there. I should disclaim that this isn't because I'm a particularly nice person, I just hate judging people. If heaven and hell really exist, then the one who created them can cast judgement. I'd just rather stay out of it all.

• What is next for Ms. Monica Leonelle?

More fiction! I want to write a serialized fiction series next. It'll be along the same lines as Game of Thrones, just more episodic. I feel like Socialpunk is a cross between a novel and an episode, in a way. And I feel like the internet is ripe for serialized fiction. I'm excited to see where the idea goes.