Why Amber Grey?

I've often been asked, what gave you the inspiration to write Amber Grey? And by many teenagers, how did you come up with these ideas?

Number one: I've always loved to write. I believe putting my thoughts onto paper can lead to a type of self-understanding, and a way to reconcile reality with imaginings.
Number two: I am a very idealistic person. I have strong beliefs and I act on them.
Number three: I LOVE to create! It's a real rush to experience an entire alternate reality in my head, and be able to share it with others!
Of course, there's much more to it than these three points, but they are the basics.

So, I asked myself, what can I write that can have a positive impact on the world? And the answers flooded clearly to my mind. Everyone has power. I define "power" as the ability to create change. Another perspective is that one may use power to prevent change.

All people are born with a gift, or a talent. I've heard many say that they, in fact, do not possess any sort of talent, and that's just not true. Everyone owns something special and unique, and all have the opportunity to find out what that is. Squash yourself, or enlighten yourself, the choice is yours…but your uniqueness is real. Some don't recognize their talents for what they are, and how they can be of benefit.

The trick is learning how to use our talents to create a positive change in the world. When you die, what will you leave behind? The choice is yours, and the time to build your memorial is now.

Amber Grey is born with obvious gifts. Very early in life, she learns that it is only through her deliberate choices that she can control the power she wields, and that she must learn to harness her emotions. She, through much struggle, learns to have power over self.