What was the overall influence that led to you writing your debut novel with Smile and Look Pretty?

Though I wrote most of Smile and Look Pretty before the #MeToo movement really took off, that absolutely became part of my inspiration. I was encouraged by these prominent women coming out against their abusers, some of whom had been infamous in the industry for their bad behavior for decades. I was compelled by the concept of a secret hiding in plain sight, something that everyone knew about but no one acknowledged. Since I was an assistant at the time, I wanted to explore what would happen if a movement like this had been started by a group of people so low on the career ladder they’re still subterranean. What would happen if people with no clout and no influence and no voice started speaking up?

Did you use any of your own personal experience to build your characters and plot around?

I think most women have stories they would contribute to the website in Smile and Look Pretty--about working with toxic people or in toxic environments. Because these four characters work in different aspects of media and entertainment, industries where the line between personal and professional is often blurred through the creative process, where people making minimum wage are direct reports to people making millions, there’s really no story too ridiculous to be true. There are articles about assistants getting everything from a computer to a potato thrown at their heads at work. Because of that, I didn’t really need to plunge into my personal well of stories to write relatable and distinct characters.

What was the first book you ever read?

I had all the Madeleine books (by Ludwig Bemelmans) read to me when I was little, if that counts? The first book I read myself was probably something by Roald Dahl or one of the Magic Treehouse series.

What are your top five favorite books and/or authors of all time?

This is constantly changing so I’m not sure I can pick my favorite authors and books of all time, but I can say my favorites right now. My favorite authors right now are: Jessica Knoll, Colson Whitehead, Michelle McNamara, Andrea Bartz, and Rumaan Alam. My favorite books right now are: Luckiest Girl Alive (Jessica Knoll), Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn), On Writing (Stephen King), Such a Fun Age (Kiley Reid) and When No One Is Watching (Alyssa Cole).

Do you have a guilty entertainment (book, film, television, music) pleasure?

I’m devouring anything Anna Delvey right now. I had read the original Cut and Vanity Fair articles and finished My Friend Anna (Rachel DeLoache Williams) in one sitting when it first came out. I’m loving the resurgence of interest in this insane story. Generally, I try to avoid feeling guilt over things that bring me pleasure, but this one makes me feel a little guilty because I’m sure all this new attention is making Anna some money.