What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Tick Tock, Take Charge?
With the Charms Book Series—along with the journals, workbooks, downloads, and even the merchandise—I’ve created the kind of experience that young teenage me desperately needed. The truth is, the state of the world and the state of education show us that students can’t just sit back and wait to be taught. They need to take responsibility for their own learning so they grow into adults who lead with a moral compass and character traits that strengthen not only themselves but the communities around them.
I was lucky to grow up with a mix of farm-girl grit and city-girl spark. That balance, strengthened by my years in 4‑H, taught me leadership, responsibility, and the importance of leaving a place better than I found it. Those lessons are stitched into Attie’s story. As readers move through the seven books released this year, they’ll see those themes woven throughout. And by the time we reach Book Seven—right around Thanksgiving—the series expands in a whole new way with the launch into another adventure in 2026. I want teens to step outside their own world through Attie’s adventures and gain a broader, more global perspective.
Short quotable: “I created the Charms Book Series as the kind of experience teenage me needed—a mix of adventure, grit, and life lessons. These books challenge students to take responsibility for their own learning while exploring bigger worlds and growing into leaders with character and a global perspective.”
If you had to pick role models for the main characters of Tick Tock, Take Charge, what would they be?
When it comes to role models, each of my characters gravitates toward someone who mirrors their passions and ambitions.
For Attie, it’s Elon Musk. She’s drawn to entrepreneurs who invent and innovate, who aren’t afraid to disrupt the status quo with world-changing ideas. His mix of engineering brilliance and bold risk-taking resonates with her inventor’s heart.
Jenny would love to meet Reese Witherspoon. Jenny admires her not only as an actress but as a producer and businesswoman who carved her own path. Reese represents creativity paired with leadership—someone who proves that you can be both artistic and entrepreneurial.
Raye looks up to NASA astronaut Anne McClain. With her impressive background as a West Point grad, Senior Army Aviator, and ISS flight engineer, McClain represents resilience, courage, and the kind of STEM career that makes a real impact. For Raye, she’s living proof of where dedication and discipline can take you.
And Aunt Loxley? Her role model is Taylor Swift—not just for her artistry, but for her unmatched ability to build community, run her business with sharp acumen, and still create an atmosphere of fun and support. Taylor is proof that leadership doesn’t have to be cold; it can be joyful and inclusive.
Short quotable: “Attie would meet Elon Musk, Jenny would choose Reese Witherspoon, Raye looks up to astronaut Anne McClain, and Aunt Loxley would sit down with Taylor Swift—each role model reflecting their passions, leadership styles, and dreams.”
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
My favorite genres to read are historical fiction and biographies. I love looking back at what’s come before us because history has a way of guiding how we shape the future. Reading about real people and past events gives me a lens to create stories that resonate beyond just the present moment.
When it comes to writing, I focus on young adult and children’s books—but I’m always weaving in threads of history. I want readers to see how lessons from the past still matter today, and how remembering those stories can keep us from repeating mistakes.
Travel has also been a big influence on me. I’ve explored cultures and places all around the globe, and those experiences slip into my writing too. Whether it’s a detail about a place I’ve walked through or a story someone once told me, those pieces of the world shape the adventures I create for Attie and her friends.
Short quotable: “I read historical fiction and biographies for inspiration, then weave those lessons into my YA stories—mixing history, adventure, and my own travels to show readers how the past can shape the future.”
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Right now on my TBR pile is You Never Forget Your First, a biography of George Washington written by Alexis Coe. I’m especially drawn to this one because I’m lucky enough to be related to George Washington, so reading about his life feels like uncovering parts of my own story. What excites me most about this book is that it’s written by a woman. In many areas of history, female historians’ voices are still rare, especially when it comes to biographies of such iconic figures. Alexis Coe brings a refreshing perspective, and I love the way she layers in her voice and viewpoint while telling the story of his life.
Short quotable: “On my nightstand right now is You Never Forget Your First by Alexis Coe—I love how she brings a fresh female perspective to the life of my own ancestor, George Washington.”
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
My favorite scene to write in Tick Tock, Take Charge was one inspired by a good friend of mine, who served as the head of R&D for a large medtech corporation. We had countless conversations about project management, time management, and the different methods people use to stay organized. Those insights really helped me shape a scene where Attie learns how to approach big challenges by breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps.
What made it especially fun was weaving in those lessons through a character modeled after my friend. It was a way to honor his wisdom while also giving readers practical tools they can carry into their own lives. That moment became more than just a scene—it introduced a theme that carries throughout the book.
Short quotable: “My favorite scene was inspired by a real friend—a former head of R&D—whose lessons on time and project management helped me shape a character and a theme that runs throughout the book.”
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I don’t have any lucky mugs, quirky pens, or special hats I wear when I write. What I do have is my favorite ritual: walking. I love to head out into nature with my phone, recording everything that’s tumbling through my mind. There’s something about being outside—whether it’s on a forest trail or just surrounded by trees and fresh air—that unlocks my creativity in a way nothing else can. Those walks often spark the very ideas that end up in the Charms Book Series. You’ll even notice them woven into the books themselves, because that rhythm of moving through the world while letting your mind wander is such a big part of how I create.
Short quotable: “My writing habit isn’t a lucky pen—it’s walking in nature, recording ideas on my phone. The forest gives me a creative energy I can’t find anywhere else.”
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
My motto has always been: “Say what you’re gonna do, and do what you say.” Friends know me as someone who keeps her word, and I really believe in living out that philosophy every day. That’s part of why the Charms Book Series exists—it’s a promise I made to myself and to readers, and one I intend to keep. The series isn’t just a one-off idea; it’s here to stay. With six books already released this year, Book Seven arriving around Thanksgiving, and the adventure continuing in 2026 with international settings, readers can count on these stories growing, evolving, and deepening over time. My advice? Dive in now, binge the first six, and get ready for what’s ahead.
Short quotable: “My motto is simple: Say what you’re gonna do, and do what you say. The Charms Book Series is a promise to readers—and it’s here to stay.”
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Share it. Pass it on to a classmate, a teacher, a librarian, or a friend. I know there are more girls out there who love to “get their hands dirty” building things, solving problems, and chasing big ideas—just like I do. The CHARMS series is for them. And hey, don’t forget to get on the waitlist for the Secret Book Society… It’s just for Charms readers, and trust me, you want to be on the inside of this adventure.
