As Liparulo explains, "I knew going into Dreamhouse that it was a big story, too long for one or even a couple of books. To really explore the house and what it does--that is, transport people to different times and places in history--I needed to take readers on a true adventure. That involves sending the family in the story, the Kings, into multiple "worlds," so they can not only discover everything the house does, but why. And, naturally, someone's trying to get them out of the house, which complicates their efforts to rescue Mom, who was kidnapped into time.

The primary problem the Kings face is finding Mom. Rescuing her could happen within three books--or six or sixteen. I felt that some sort of resolution should happen by book six. Any longer, and I think the constant anguish the family feels, the frustration, would get tedious. That doesn't mean they're finished with the house. A few new problems present themselves. Why the family might feel compelled to pursue solutions is part of the story, something we really don't understand until book six."

Liparulo writes for both adults and the YA market, but suggests we adults could learn a few things from the younger set.  "Kids want to participate more than adults do. They really get into the contests like the "Dream the Scene" contest that is a trivia contest on my blog. When they write me, they ask all sorts of questions--from story questions to what my favorite food or color is--and will generally follow-up a few times. Adults are a bit more reserved. They want to tell me they enjoyed a book and maybe ask if future stories will feature a particular character, but they don't ask very many questions, comparatively.

I think kids are easier to market to because you know where they congregate: schools. We've had a lot of success getting me into schools and talking to a thousand kids at a time. Even successful signings in stores don't draw numbers like that, not for me anyway. Scholastic picked up the Dreamhouse books and has done a wonderful job getting them to students.

Plus, kids talk a lot. If they like something, you can bet their friends know about it. Adults are less likely to insist their friends read books they like. So, word-of-mouth works better among kids.

Still, adult readers are always looking for good books. They'll see someone reading on a plane and will either make note of the title or ask about it. I've always thought the response they get has a lot to do with what the reader is experiencing at that moment. That's one reason I want every page I write to have excitement, intrigue, something that makes that person say, "Oh yeah, this is great!"

Contributing editor Mark Combes is an avid sailor and Scuba diver and travels extensively in the Caribbean pursuing his passions. He works in book publishing and RUNNING WRECKED is his first novel.