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I will say that writing the trilogy has presented me with a lot of challenges in that you’re trying to write one story and maintain a story arch over three books. I can barely organize my sock drawer, and I think you can tell from talking to me that I can barely organize my thoughts. I never outline anything, and I never plan anything in advance, I always jokingly say that for me, writing is like standing at the open mouth of the plane, holding on to the ripcord, looking down and saying this could all end badly, or it could be the thrill of a lifetime. I think really the hardest thing is silencing the inner critic and just getting down to it…it’s getting past that fear.

• Teen Angels: A bestselling novelist on why boys aren’t the only ones who like sci-fi, and how writing helped her survive a tough adolescence.