I primarily read fiction, and I read a good many wonderful books while writing 'The Visibles.'

- Sara Shepard

I've written short stories from male perspectives before, and I've never had a problem with it as long as I've understood the character's emotions and motivations.

- Sara Shepard

I've read a lot of fiction from writers just starting out, and the dialogue is a little bit forced, or it's almost too teenager-y, or too slang-y or putting too much technology or trends in there. I try to stay pretty trend-neutral. I try not to mention too many current bands or current TV shows.

- Sara Shepard

I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because I just didn't outline, and I had no path.

- Sara Shepard

With teenagers, the emotions are higher and things are more dramatic. That doesn't mean adults don't also act like children in their own way.

- Sara Shepard

Sometimes I hear a voice - sometimes it's the voice of someone I know. And sometimes that leads to a character, which leads to a story.

- Sara Shepard

People might look great on the outside but they all have something that they're dealing with.

- Sara Shepard

My sister and I visited Iceland in 2001, and I incorporated it into 'Pretty Little Liars.'

- Sara Shepard

My family often travels to New York City during the holidays, and that's always a good time.

- Sara Shepard

Judy Blume especially sort of broke the boundaries of what is appropriate and what should be written about - what teenagers are actually doing.

- Sara Shepard

If my characters travel somewhere, I generally write about a place I know to give the scenes more authenticity.

- Sara Shepard

I was not tormented in any way; I was never even bullied. I had a nice teenage life.

- Sara Shepard

I was just over high school, and I was kind of artsy.

- Sara Shepard

I think I'll stick with psychological thrillers.

- Sara Shepard

I probably write best in my office, which is an extra bedroom in my house.

- Sara Shepard

I like to run in a new place to help me find my way around.

- Sara Shepard

I loved the movie 'Heathers' and the TV show 'Twin Peaks.'

- Sara Shepard

I love books about dysfunctional families.

- Sara Shepard

I find coming up with a title the hardest part of writing a novel.

- Sara Shepard

I do a lot of revising on paper. Sometimes I think I should just write longhand - what I type reads very different once I print it out.

- Sara Shepard