Maggie Stiefvater

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Maggie Stiefvater is a bestselling American author of young adult fantasy novels. She was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 1981 and attended Mary Washington College, graduating with a B.A. in history. She has worked as a waitress, calligraphy instructor, technical editor, musician and artist but now makes her living as a novelist. She currently resides in rural Virginia with her husband, their two young children, a couple of neurotic dogs and one 'criminally insane' cat. Her book 'Shiver' debuted at #9 on the New York Times bestseller list and has also been optioned for a film adaptation by Warner Bros. Maggie describes herself as an avid reader, a coloured pencil artist, and a musician whose preferred instruments include the Celtic harp, the piano, and the bagpipes.

Author's Comment: Oftentimes when I start a novel, I have no idea what a character looks like. I might not know if they work. I might not know if they live with both parents. I might not know their last name, exactly how old they are, whether they have a dog named Snookie or a hamster named Chainsaw. Of course, I'll figure these things out as I write, but before I start, the things I need to know inside and out about my characters are only the things that bring them into conflict with the plot and other characters. I need to know what they want out of life so I can deprive them of it. I need to know what their mortal flaw is so they can struggle to overcome it. I need to know who they love so I can turn that person into a wolf and laugh meanly. A lot of times, this has very little to do with eye color or whether or not they need to wear platform heels to meet the height requirements on a roller coaster.

Nationality: American