What is The Gift’s genre?

Dystopian/Family. My husband describes it as a slice-of-life dystopian taste breaker.

If The Gift were a movie, what rating would it have?

N-17. Definitely a flick to leave the kids at home.

Where did the inspiration come to write this book?

In third grade, I wrote a short story called The Adventures of Angie and David (which the title was most likely ripped from the popular-at-the-time children's television show “The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy”) since then, The Gift was renamed and rewrote multiple times and grew as I grew.

What is the most impressive thing about the book?

I wrote The Gift Novel in a very difficult time in my life. I was experiencing intermittent homelessness, couch surfing—if you will. I wrote the majority of the story at public libraries, in Walmart parking lots on my cell phone, and in Motel 6’s.

What do you think you write with ease?

Writing from an orphan’s perspective was a piece of cake. Angie, the main female protagonist in The Gift, was orphaned at age 19. I was orphaned at 21. Although becoming an orphan is easier when you’re an adult, it’s extremely difficult not to have that security to fall back on.

What do you think was the most challenging thing to write?

As the book changes perspectives, writing from Gus’s perspective required a lot of research because I do not have a penis and I wanted to write a strong male character. That included researching a lot of the tacit “bro-code” when it comes to touchy subjects such as masturbation & sex, male bathroom etiquette, erections, so on and so forth.

In terms of writing, what do you think you do well?

I would have to spank my own ass here and say my dialogue is rather strong. The best advice I can give for that is to speak out your scenes as if they were real conversations.

In terms of writing, what do you struggle with?

I have a hard time writing physical altercations. I can visualize them but I struggle with putting them on paper.

What should a reader know before reading The Gift?

Keep an open mind. There are a lot of controversial subjects and it’s most definitely not a novel for the faint of heart or easily offended.

What can we expect to see in the future?

At least a second book. Maybe more. Maybe seven. Who knows.

Do you have a list of possible triggers and traumatic warnings?

Yes! I took the liberty to submit the book to DoesTheDogDie.com. Please note that there are several spoilers listed.