Q: Your essay in Demigods and Monsters is about what it takes to recognize monsters in the Percy Jackson series. In The Battle of the Labyrinth, we're reminded that there are some mortals, like Rachel Elizabeth Dare (and Percy's mom, a little), who can see through the Mist and recognize monsters instantly, rather than learning how to do so through training. Do you think one is more important than the other?

A: With Percy's mother, I figured that either Poseidon magically gave her that ability, or once she knew about the stuff beyond the Mist, the Mist didn't work on her like it does on normal people. I think that most people are much more likely to deny the evidence of their eyes when their brain can come up with a logical, rational explanation. But maybe some people are more willing to believe, making them less susceptible to the Mist.

And if that's true, then there's something about Rachel that accepts the supernatural, no matter what modern logic tells her. I don't know if it's more important than training, but I think it's pretty special, almost like a superpower, even though she is (or appears to be) completely human.

Q: Speaking of recognizing monsters-Maggie Quinn from your Girl vs Evil series also has the ability to recognize the supernatural. Why do you think this ability is important in a hero?

A: Well, it's really handy to see what might be coming after you. If your mind is closed, the monsters are going to eat you while you're denying they exist!

Similar to the Percy Jackson books, in Maggie's world, there is all this supernatural stuff going on beneath the surface of our real world rules of physics and science. Maggie is born with the ability to see it, but it takes her awhile to believe her own sixth sense. Once she does, she can figure out the rules, and how she's going to fix the supernatural problem. Which is really the most important part of being a hero: recognizing the problem and figuring out what you're going to have to do to solve it.

Q: If you were a half-blood, who do you think your Olympian parent would be?

A: Athena. She's always been my favorite. Smart and strong, stubborn, quick-tempered, artistic in a practical kind of way. (She not only invented architecture, but also weaving and sewing.) I'm not sure I'm wise, but I'm definitely a font of useless (and useful) facts and information. Kind of like the Internet. (Which I'm sure Athena invented, though Dionysus might have had a hand in some of the content.)

Q: In "Romeo, Ripley, and Bella Swan," your essay in A New Dawn, you characterize Bella as a classic tragic heroine. Does she have any differences from her predecessors (Juliet, Antigone, and company) that give us hope she might survive the Twilight series?

A: Bella has a self-awareness that could save her, if she would let it. She recognizes her similarities to these heroines, so theoretically, she could learn by their example. But in New Moon, five minutes after deciding that Juliet (she) could be happy with Paris (Jacob) and not have to commit suicide, she hears about Edward and it's all "screw Paris, I'm going to Romeo even if it kills me." Obviously we can't rely on rational behavior to save her, bless her heart.

It cracks me up that Bella comes up with these elaborate rationalizations, but again and again proves she's entirely governed by whim and emotion. But then, we don't read about Bella to see her be all logical, do we? That's sort of the opposite of the point of these books.

Plus, survival is relative when you're dealing with the undead, isn't it.

Q: Do you think there's a reason vampire tales work well with a tragic storyline (other than the whole them-being-dead thing, of course)?

A: Sure. With the supernatural element, you have different kinds of death, and different kinds of survival. There's death of the body, death of the soul, and death of one's plans and dreams. Edward believes his soul is gone. Rosalie saw the death of her hopes to have babies. Bella would have to die to her family and friends if she becomes a vampire. And if she doesn't turn, then part of her heart will die, because she will either have to give up Edward, or deal with growing old while he doesn't, and the distance that would but between them.

So even if there's a happily ever after for Bella and Edward (or Jacob, if you're in that camp), there's also going to be some kind of irredeemable loss.

Q: We're taking an informal poll in our interviews with A New Dawn contributors: Edward or Jacob?

A: Edward. It's clear he's the one for Bella and vice versa. Loving Jacob is one of her rationalizations. And I think loving her is one of his. He hasn't imprinted on her-- what if he later meets HIS one and only? Which will be freaking awesome, and I hope Meyer writes about that.

Q: Do you have a favorite character in the Twilight series (presuming it isn't Edward or Jacob, of course)?

A: Alice, hands down the most awesome character in the books.

Q: What do you think Maggie Quinn would have done if she'd been the one to move to Forks and meet Edward?

A: It would have been a very short book because (A) it wouldn't have taken Maggie 250 pages to realize what he was, and (B) she has a really low BS threshold, so I'm pretty sure all that brooding and lurking outside her window wouldn't have gone over well.

On the other hand, I like to think Maggie and Alice would have become great friends and have a marvelous time together, hanging out and nirping psychic tips and stuff. Maybe Alice could help Maggie with her awful fashion sense.

Q: What are you working on right now?

A: I just wrapped up the third Girl vs Evil book (in which Maggie and her BFF Lisa take on the chupacabra). And I'm finishing a new book, a gothic romance set in rural Alabama. It's full of ghosts and magic and romance. I'm really enjoying writing it, so hopefully it will be fun to read, too.

Q: If you could tell us to read one book this year, what would it be?

A: Besides Prom Dates From Hell and/or the sequel, Hell Week? I think Twilight readers will love Wicked Lovely, by Melissa Marr. It's edgier than the Twilight books, but so lushly romantic, I couldn't put it down. (The sequel, Ink Exchange, just came out, but I haven't read it yet.)

If you're looking for more vampire goodness, you need to read Robin McKinley's Sunshine. It's not a YA book, and there are some scenes that are at least PG-13. There is a romance plot (with a vampire, who is definitely more scary than sparkly), but the focus is more on defeating the very very evil vampires preying on the city. (I'll also mention that McKinley wrote three of my favorite it YA books in the history of ever. The Blue Sword is seriously awesome, and if you like non-modern fantasy books, you should definitely read that.)

Okay, that's a lot more than one, but books are like potato chips that way, you know?