I've written short stories from male perspectives before, and I've never had a problem with it as long as I've understood the character's emotions and motivations.
Sometimes I hear a voice - sometimes it's the voice of someone I know. And sometimes that leads to a character, which leads to a story.
I do a lot of brainstorming with my editors.
I've read a lot of fiction from writers just starting out, and the dialogue is a little bit forced, or it's almost too teenager-y, or too slang-y or putting too much technology or trends in there. I try to stay pretty trend-neutral. I try not to mention too many current bands or current TV shows.
I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because I just didn't outline, and I had no path.
Secrets are very intriguing - I always think that's an interesting theme.
I loved the movie 'Heathers' and the TV show 'Twin Peaks.'
With teenagers, the emotions are higher and things are more dramatic. That doesn't mean adults don't also act like children in their own way.
I was just over high school, and I was kind of artsy.
