These are some of the questions I've gotten rather often. If there's something not here, let me know. I caution you, there are spoilers below!

Q: What inspired The Siren?

A: It's a lame story. I woke up from a nap. I don't think I was dreaming about sirens in particular, but I remember thinking they would be something fun to write about if only they had a purpose. I didn't want them to exist for the sake of existing. A second later I thought The Ocean eats people! and that was the true beginning of the story for me. I wrote down four tiny paragraphs that were the foundation of Kahlen's world, and the rest is history.

Q: How do you pronounce Kahlen? And Akinli?

A: If you're having issues thanks to my random choice of names, check out the name guide.

Q: Is that you on the cover?

A: No, not even close! The girl in the picture is named Kelsey. That picture was taken by my friend Bethany Stevenson years before I ever dreamed up The Siren. As I was writing, the image kept coming back to my mind, and it was what I used as a cover when I made bound copies for my family and friends for Christmas. When I decided to print, Bethany agreed to let me use the image, and I'm so glad. It's beautiful and captures so many emotions for me.

Q:Are the ships you mention real?

A: Yes! If there's a name, you can look them up. Most everyone saw Kate and Leo in Titanic, so there's no mystery there. The Kobenhavn sailed from South America to Australia, went missing, and was never found. Because the trip was so long, no one noticed the ship was missing for a while, and there are no answers to date. The Heraklion sank at 2 AM in the Aegean Sea in heavy winds. Water came on through an open door, and over 200 people died. At the time, you could board boats without a ticket, and our mysterious Elizabeth would be one of many unaccounted for people.

Q: What happened to Ifama?

A: I can't tell you! Sorry. Ifama is a very proud girl, as I'm sure you can tell. Her death showed a lack of such pride, and she was very unhappy with herself. In the original version of the story, all the details were in there, but I kept hearing her say "Please don't tell everyone that." In the end, I chose to honor her wishes and take it out. Only one other person has read what happened to Ifama, and we're both keeping her secret. However, if you research the time and location, you might be able to put some of the pieces together.

Q: Where did Kahlen and Akinli go on their date?

A: They went to The Dip Net. It's a real restaurant. I just found out their lease wasn't renewed, so they won't be in Port Clyde anymore. I'm glad I got to have my first lobster there while I could. Kahlen got her copy of The Giving Tree at Rock City Coffee, they had ice cream at Round Top Ice Cream, and Akinli got Kahlen's necklace at G.M. Pollack & Sons.

Q: What movie did Akinli make Kahlen watch?

A: Originally I had them watching Napoleon Dynamite, but when I revisited the timeline, I realized that movie hadn't been made yet. And even though it's not mentioned by title, I wanted it to be accurate. Instead they're watching Bio-Dome. Classic Pauly Shore and Stephen Baldwin. Look it up.

Also, the song they have their slow dance to on the beach is For Me This is Heaven by Jimmy Eat World, and they dance at their wedding to The Luckiest by Ben Folds (the song Callaway and I danced to). You can listen to both on the playlist page.

Q: If Kahlen forgot everything, how can she be telling the story?

A: I suppose, with how it ended, I am taking a liberty. But in my mind the story goes beyond what's been printed, and she told it from then. There are things that... happen in the future.

Q: Does that mean there will be a sequel to The Siren?

A: Maybe. There is so much more that happens in Kahlen and Akinli's lives, and if you've paid very, very close attention, you might see the window I left for her to go back to the Ocean. I'm not so sure that it would be satisfying though, as it's more of a life story than a love story. Either way, I have other imaginary friends demanding my attention right now, and I have to give them their chance to be heard, too.