|
What advice would you give young
writers? |
|
My advice if you want to be a good writer
is to first become an enthusiastic reader. That’s
the best beginning. |
|
|
|
|
|
How long does it take you to write
a book? |
|
It takes about a year to write a novel
and about 36 months for me to write a picture book, not including the research. If the picture book is nonfiction or the novel is historical fiction, then it takes longer. |
|
|
|
|
|
When did you start writing? |
|
I didn't start writing until after I graduated
from college, got married, had my children and then
went back to school to get my master’s degree.
After I turned in a project to a professor, she asked
me if I’d ever considered professional writing.
Coincidentally, about three weeks later, a colleague
of mine asked me if I would help her write a book. Before
that point in my life, I had never considered writing
as a profession. After that, I couldn’t stop thinking
about it and one thing led to another. |
|
|
|
|
|
Where do you write your books? |
|
I write in my office, which is also an
extra bedroom in my house. |
|
|
|
|
|
Why do you like writing? |
|
One reason is that I discovered that it
was something I am good at so that makes it very redeeming.
I like to write because it’s a job I can do in
my slippers. That’s a joke but in some ways it’s
true. I can get up in the morning, walk down to my office
and start working without having to commute in a car
or on a train. I also like it because every project
is different. I enjoy that there are many diverse parts
to my job: writing, researching, speaking to teachers
and librarians or children, meeting other authors and
illustrators, signing books, and working with the interesting
dedicated people in the children’s literature
field. |
|
|
|
|
|
Which of your books is your favorite? |
|
That's like asking me which of my children
is my favorite child. It’s too hard to choose,
as I love them all for different wonderful reasons. |