In many ways, the key to the story seems to be Cat's high school friend, Nell. Will she be getting her own book?

I don't think the whole story of Nell could fit into just one book, do you? She probably needs a whole series.

What made you want to become a writer?

I don't think I ever became one, I've always been a writer, from the time I first started making picture books as a young girl to the classes I took in high school and college. Writing has always been a big part of my life whether it was writing short stories, poetry or short films when I studied at NYU or comedy as a stand up or just keeping a journal, it has always been a primary way for me to express myself. As I've gotten older, it has become an even bigger part of my life.

What was it like finding out your book had been sold?

I was coming out of the subway on my way back from a doctor's appointment and heading down Fifth Avenue back to my job. It had been a few weeks since a conference call I had with Random House that I thought went well but was beginning to wonder. My cell rang and it was my agent who told me the news that they had made an offer. I remember noticing the leaves had fallen off all the trees in Central Park and how it smelled like it was going to snow, and the sound of my agent's voice was so soothing as she told me the news. I had that wonderful feeling that everything was turning out exactly as I had hoped. It was definitely a top ten life moment.

This is a very dark story. How did it come to you? Does any of it reflect your life? How much of Cat is you? Well, Cat is me since I made her up - but her story is her own. The things that happen to Cat in the story did not happen to me but they happen to women every day. Although Cat's story is intense, I am sorry to say that many aspects of her experience are not unique or rare.

Was it a downer or freeing to get into Cat's head?

It wasn't a downer at all. When I wrote as Cat I wasn't thinking it was a dark story (in fact, I'm still a little surprised when people tell me they think it is dark - I guess that says something about what I consider normal!) I was consumed with her voice, her struggle and with finding out where she would take me and the story. There were scenes that were extremely difficult to write, both from Cat's perspective and from the perspective of being true to women the reality of that experience. I wanted it to be real without pushing you away and I wanted it to be honest.

Cat draws comics? Why comics?

Cat was always an artist, about halfway through the drafting process I read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon and was transformed by the story and by the power of graphic novels and comics. This was a whole world I knew nothing about. After reading the book I researched it more and found that the mythic aspects of comics suited Cat's sensibilities well. The foundation of so many great super heroes is the idea of someone trying to integrate their powers and learn how to make the best use of them. There is always that struggle between good and evil. In creating a superhero version of herself to battle the evil forces in her life, Cat is essentially drawing her way out of her pain.

You and your best friend from high school are novelists. How weird is that?

Hmmm... well maybe weird but not surprising. Of the many things that drew us together in high school we (meaning you and me) always shared a love of stories, whether it was entertaining each other with our own, writing short films and getting our friends to be in them, working together on acting projects, going to hundreds of movies, or swapping and sharing books. It was clear we were both story junkies. Oh and we both were good students (you being the better one) and pretty type A about our goals - I think that puts us right where we are today - don't you think?

The Last Bridge has gotten some really strong reviews. How important are reviews to you?

Oh not at all... do you believe me?

Good reviews are very important to me... bad ones, not so much.

What do you want readers to take away from the story?

I would say my primary goal as a writer is to get readers to own their own story. I think what is most remarkable about Cat, is that in spite of what she has gone through, she learns that she has to own those experiences and not run from them. While we cannot change the past, we can choose how it will define us. Are we going to be a victim, victimizer, survivor, hero?

I don't know about you, but most of the women I have met in my life have such extraordinary lives and experiences, as daughters, friends, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, mentors, mothers, aunts, etc. Our stories are important and we should tell them no matter how painful or difficult, we need to share our experiences with each other more than we do.

What are you working on now?

I am working on a much lighter novel about a romance between an older woman and a younger man on a singles trip to Bali.

I know poetry is very important to you. Do you see yourself publishing as a poet someday? I would love to publish a book of poetry - that would be one of the great honors of my life as a writer.

Any last words for our readers?

Well, I would just like to say thank you. One of the best experiences I have had in the process of being published was being exposed to so many bright passionate readers who go out of their way to support authors. Everyone talks about how solitary the process of writing is, and that is true, but the story comes alive when it gets into the hands of readers and that makes it all worthwhile.