Ms. Kent,

So many authors claim to be born with pen in hand. Was this true in your case?

Not at all. I do remember junior high school writing projects that I enjoyed, but I was primarily all about the reading. I read everything. You've heard the exaggeration about cereal boxes sufficing in the case of nothing else? Trust me. It's not an exaggeration.

You're a big fan of cereal then?

No.

What ARE you a big fan of?

Sleep is good. But with family and working and writing I don't get as much as I'd like. Keeping that in mind, I'm now a big fan of fresh-roasted, fresh-ground Sumatra. I also love Harlan Coben, J.J. Abrams, Dreamweaver MX, Alphasmart, pen drives, Netflix, Mac Studio Tech Cosmetics, Busted, High Sierra Computer Cases, Vibrolux, Emma Holly, Television Without Pity, Norah Jones, Nomad Jukebox Zen, Jennifer Garner, instant messenging, Fujitsu, Avril Lavigne, The Thymes, and TV capture cards.

I see a decided lack of Martha Stewart and Betty Crocker on that list.

Did I forget to mention what a big fan I am of my husband? He's a better cook than I am!

A bit of a role reversal?

Not exactly. It's just that I'd never be able to do what I do without his support. I don't know how any author manages without their family rooting for them all the way. Yes, talent is important. Voice. A fair command of the English language and the rudiments of grammar. (Critique groups were invented for a reason!) I mean, think about it. Getting up around 4:00 a.m. to get writing in before work.

Why Harlan Coben and JJ Abrams?

I want to write like they do. I want to be able to create twists and turns, to blow readers away with the unexpected. I feel a serious case of plot study coming on . . .

And Emma Holly?

The eroticism, of course! I envy her ability to write intimate scenes that pull me in like no one else.

The rest of your list is rather . . . strange, eclectic, if you will.

Sure, why not. Vibrolux is my current favorite band. Yes, okay. My brother plays keyboard and guitar and engineers the band at Last Beat Records. But I'm a total music junkie. And since my television glomming time is limited, I record everything I want to see on my PC and then sneak in watching time without commercials. Lately I'm all about cop shows. Suspense is so far removed from what I currently write, that I love trying to outguess the writers.

And how do you do?

I'm definitely getting better!

So, then, you have a future career in suspense?

Not at all. However, soon I'll be exploring the world of action adventure and I'm very excited about that.

How does that differ from suspense?

It's less about what's going to happen, more about what's happening now.

And what's going to happen to your urban hippy chicks?

Oh, I'll always write contemporary, character-driven stories.