Disrupted follows a group of high school drama students who, after an earthquake shut down their school, set out to perform their production anyway and raise money for the repairs. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

Many years ago, in a previous century, I was a high school drama teacher. I’ve never forgotten many of my students. I was a high school teacher during the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, and I like to imagine all kinds of scenarios and “what-ifs” in my mind. I already had imagined Sandee Mason who appeared in a series of articles for Dramatics Magazine as well as an earlier novel of mine, Talent, and I imagined what would happen if she finally got the recognition she wanted and she worried that it would disappear after something catastrophic happened to the school.
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What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?

You never know what you might do when faced with circumstances beyond your control like the loss of a brother, a best buddy moving away, a new boy in town who makes your heart throb, or the strange way parents sometimes act. People’s motives aren’t always what they seem to be and as Atticus Finch said in To Kill a Mockingbird, “You never really know a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”

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

Loss of life, of home, of family
Courage to rise above things beyond your control
Overcoming obstacles like alcohol addiction, homelessness, and situations beyond your control
Finding your way when you feel different
Figuring out who you are

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

I’ve thought about another book about Sandee Mason’s Senior Year, but right now I have an inspirational memoir on the back burner and am working on some flash pieces, plus author interviews, book reviews, and more for Writer Advice. I’m also doing a lot of thinking about a brand new story I’m not ready to share at all—but it’s a doozy, and will either be women’s fiction or memoir. Sometimes there’s a fine line between the two. Obviously, I am not on a linear track, and I can’t tell you when my next piece will be out.

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