Like every su-SPEC-t writer, Lynn_Vroman dips into several types of writing, such as young adult sci-fi and romance, with a darker short story collection featured on her WP page.

1. Share some scandalous tidbits about yourself.

I wish I could write something steamy and forbidden, but the sad fact is I spend most of my day in my pajamas and staring at a computer screen, trying to come up with words while the kids are in school. I have a degree in English Language and Literature, and I'm also a freelance editor.

2. How are some of the characters from The Pairing like (or not) like you?

I wouldn't say any characters are like me; I'm not that interesting. I wish I were as calm as Tarek or as smart as Lena, but sadly...

Lena is based on my oldest daughter in the series that comes after The Pairing, though. Like my daughter, she's strong, driven, and swears entirely too much.

3. How do you feel when someone disagrees with something you have written?

Ah, this question. I feel just fine about it, actually. It sometimes sucks, especially when a bad or particularly nasty review pops up, but I've learned to brush it off-after a lot of wine. The truth is not everyone will like what I write, and that's perfectly fine. I tend to try to learn from a bad review, and if the person has a valid point, I only grow as a writer if I take constructive criticism into consideration.

4. Have you read anything that made you think differently about speculative fiction?

There are so many books I've read that have made an impact on how I view the genre. I think the first book that comes to mind right now is The 5th Wave. What I love about it, and what I think is so important for speculative fiction writers to remember, is how Rick Yancey doesn't forget character. World building is extremely important in this genre, but I do believe if a flat character is roaming around in an amazing place, the place is no longer interesting enough to read about.

5. What's your favorite sci-fi novel on Wattpad? Outside of Wattpad?

I'm so new to Wattpad! But I have been reading when I can, and I'm really loving The Kitten & The Cloud by @OtherEvilTwin. The prologue hooked me right away. The 5th Wave series right now are my favorites outside of Wattpad, and I am extremely fortunate to be writing partners with Jadah McCoy, whose debut novel, Artificial, is being released by Curiosity Quills April 4th of this year. This book, people, make sure you watch for it. It's excellent!

6. What did you edit OUT of this book?

I edited out the info-dumps, unnecessary adverbs and adjectives, weak words, telling as much as possible... This list could go on and on. I always write the first draft with the goal to get the story out, and then when I revise, I cut and chop with brutal objectivity.

7. Do you have any suggestions to help others become a better writer? If so, what are they?

First off, keep writing. Write all the time, and when you're not writing, read. Never stop, especially when someone might say you're not good enough. They're wrong. Secondly, find a good critique partner you trust who isn't afraid to give you honest feedback.

8. How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing resources you recommend?

Names are pretty important, usually. I spend time finding the right names for my main characters, and with The Energy Series, I looked up names that meant certain things. For example, "Lena" means "sunlight" in Greek and "devoted" in Arabic. "Tarek" means "nightly visitor" or "morning star" in Arabic.

9. What was your inspiration for the literary world that includes Exemplians, Protectors, and Guides?

My oldest daughter was the inspiration for the entire series. She's fascinated with religion and the concepts behind all of them, but reincarnation mostly. She talks about it all the time. Anyway, one night I was doing dishes and an image of a girl being pulled through her bed flashed into my mind (The first scene in Tainted Energy). I had to make a story about her and thought it'd be cool to use reincarnation. But I wanted to give it a science fiction twist and incorporate parallel worlds.

10. Who is your favorite literary villain and why?

Hands down, Iago from Othello. He is the most cunning and apathetic villain I've ever read. There's nothing outside of greed and the need for bringing down Othello, a man who exemplifies honor and morality. What I love about him is that he uses words, and only words, to convince Othello to kill Desdemona.

BUT! I think only Shakespeare could pull off a villain without any real reason why he's villainous. My advice to new writers is always give your villain a reason, some humanity. Don't make him bad simply to fill the spot of the bad guy.

11. Grab the nearest book, open it to page 22 and look for the second word in the first sentence. Now, write an original line that starts with that word. (Please include the name of the book!)

Dinner (Broken, Kelley Armstrong)

Dinner sat on the table untouched, gravy now congealed on top of the mashed potatoes. She stared at her plate, and said to the man sitting across from her, "Are you gonna kill me now?"

12. Clue us into your next project!

Eek! I'm so excited about my current project! It's not speculative fiction, though. It's YA contemporary set in the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia. I've been thinking about this book forever and have researched for over a year. I describe it as Eleanor & Park meets Winter's Bone.

World-building as a definitive facet of speculative fiction, and to keep writing, even when someone tells you you can't (because they're wrong). Of all her brilliant answers, those stick out the most.

Check out Vroman's first book in the Energy series, The Pairing!