Architects are special creatures. They are cut from a cloth that’s all their own, and lumping them in with businessmen, doctors, or lawyers is to miss the nuances that make architects so fascinating. In all things, they balance art and science, instinct and creativity. They tend to be highly articulate and attend to fine details, and bring deliberate thought to all of their decisions, and those are delightful quirks. Here are a few more snippets from Matthew Walsh, and how you’ll know when you’re sleeping with an architect: 1. They state their opinions as fact. It comes from years of defending their reasoning and advocating their designs with loads of research, and they need someone who can argue right back. “”The load on this structure”—I pointed to the roof—”is causing extensive stresses and deformations on the internal supports. The walls, the pillars. And I’d bet anything the foundation has deteriorated beyond repair. A strong gust and this place is coming down. I want you fifty feet away, Miss Halsted.” I passed my fingers down the stone column for emphasis, a trail of sand and pebbles trickling to the ground. “I’m only Miss Halsted inside the classroom. Call me Lauren.” Her…

Have you ever lived somewhere that seriously influenced your life? A place that gave you a different perspective on the world as you know it? What I’ve found is that each place I’ve lived has somehow changed my world view. I grew up in Iowa. We didn’t live in the largest city in the state, but I grew up believing we were the most cosmopolitan utopia ever. I was rudely divested of that notion when I went away to college. But Iowa is where I received my education, my interest and training in writing and a life-long love of learning. Moving to Houston after graduation, I learned how to live on a budget. A straight commission job I loved, but wasn’t very good at meant I also had to learn how to exist on limited sleep. Because I needed a second job to make ends meet. Oh, and I learned to love country music and dance the Cotton Eyed Joe. I’ve lived in the same city in Illinois twice. I moved there the first time as a young newlywed and didn’t know a soul (other than my husband). This is where I learned resilience. I learned to rely on myself…

Ever since I was given the amazing opportunity to write a Pride & Prejudice modern respin (DEFINITELY, MAYBE IN LOVE), I’ve been jumping at the chance to respin another Jane Austen. Though nothing can touch P&P, I’ve always had a major soft spot for Persuasion. I love a good “second chances” story, and there isn’t a better one out there than Austen’s. Something about reunited lovers really pierces my heart. Maybe because I’ve had  a lot of boyfriends in my dating history, it’s kind of a personal fantasy to meet up with one of my better ex’s down the road and do a bit of rekindling. Hee-hee In SOMEDAY MAYBE, Rachel and Oliver dated when they were freshmen at the University of San Francisco, then some time goes by and they meet up again. (Don’t worry, I’m not giving any spoilers…) I love writing about college-aged characters. For me, it was such an important time of my life and I made huge decisions about the future. The same goes for the year or two right after collage: First real job, first long-term relationship, first apartment on my own, etc. That’s what is so fun about writing new adult stories…I can…