Where did you get your idea for "Sarah and the House of Mysteries"?

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I was walking on the street on day, thinking about what story could I write for an upcoming writing competition. I knew I wanted it to be about a girl beset by popularity concerns but didn't know how to start it. Then, I passed in front of a derelict old house... and magic happened.  
 
What is your writing process like?

It depends on whether I' writing fiction or non-fiction. For non-fiction, as soon as I have the subject, I start with a thorough research. Once I have all the data I need, I start composing a first draft using all my notes. It may be up to ten drafts before the article is finished! By then I must make sure that every piece of information I give is correct, and that all my references are trustworthy.

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For fiction, the process is more liberal, but also more scattered and time-consuming. I may develop an idea that I had previously jolted down, or I may come up with an entirely new story fully developed on my mind! What follows after that is a lot of writing, rewriting, editing, and more rewriting.

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Once I have what I consider is a 'finished draft', I give it to a couple of loyal Beta readers who go through it and give them their comments - and then it's back to the grind!

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What do you prefer to write, fiction or non-fiction?

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I like the liberty of writing fiction and let my imagination flow, but I also enjoy the stimulation of writing non-fiction - I’m always learning new things!

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How do you deal with writer's block?

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The worst thing to do is fret about it. If I really have to write (i.e. I have a pending assignment), I find that putting hands to work is the best way to unblock. But if I'm writing speculative fiction without a set deadline, I surround myself with akin material (books, films, songs, etc.) and soon I find a spark of inspiration. 

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Why do you write for young readers?

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Youth is a time of discovery, of testing our strengths, of learning important lessons that will shape the kind of person we will become. This period is the most exciting, the most intense, and probably the most challenging in our lives. We absorb so much, and we're in perpetual change. It's an endless source of inspiration, and I feel privileged and honored to write for the young public and add my grain of sand to this genre.

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Who are your favorite authors?

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The list is long! I love the works of Oscar Wilde, but I’m also a fan of William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, George Orwell, Isaac Asimov, J. R. R. Tolkien, Lee Harper, Jorge Luis Borges, Dodie Smith, Michael Ende, Orson Scott Card, Kazuo Ishiguro... As for more contemporary authors, I love the works of Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling, George R.R. Martin, Cornelia Funke, Matt Haig, and Michelle Paver, among many other wonderful writers. And the list continues to grow!

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What's the best thing about being a writer?

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Sharing ideas with others and finding that --- surprise! --- you're not as alone as you thought you were.
 

Where can I find your non-fiction articles?

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Most of them are published on my blog, "A Curious Culturalist". You can subscribe, and you can also follow it on Twitter and never miss an article.