Street follows a twelve-year-old runaway from Miami who ends up in New York City to escape the sadistic abuse of his brother. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The story begins at a pivotal point for the protagonist, Johnny: his escape. That felt like the best place to start because it is where life really begins for him. Despite the uncertainty of what lies ahead, things had gotten so bad at home, there was no choice but to risk leaving. In the first pages, you are able to see Johnny’s strength and tenacity.

In many contemporary coming-of-age fiction novels, authors often add their own life experiences to the story. Are there any bits of you in this story?

While many of the scenes were not directly pulled from my life, the feelings behind them were very real. I grew up in New York City during that same era, hung out in many of the same locations, and some of my characters are loosely based on, or amalgamations of real people. I have endured abuse, violence, and absentee parenting. I spent my formative years in bars and clubs, had friends who were dealers and addicts, and experimented with all kinds of drugs. Unlike many of my peers, I was able to get away from that lifestyle before it swallowed me. Those experiences have definitely influenced the perspective of this novel, and a lot of my writing in general.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

It was important to point out how abuse robs you of a childhood. Ditto the streets. But sometimes, in the absence of a stable home life, you can form your own family. Because urban street kids are so often misunderstood, I needed to show that these characters are smart, precocious, and driven, and that the bond they have with each other is unshakable.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?

Right now I am in the revision process for the sequel to Street, and hoping it will be out by the end of this year. I am also drafting a third book in the same series.

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