Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
I did. At least as soon as I understood how to string words and sentences together.
Did you ever want to be anything else?
In sixth grade I auditioned for a role in my school play, Godspell. It’s a musical. I love singing and didn’t mind being on a stage. If I were to choose any other artistic profession, it would have been acting.
What’s your favorite color?
Red
What’s your favorite food?
Hot dogs, although I know they aren’t the best choice for a healthy diet. My favorite way to eat them is with sauerkraut and mustard. Yum!
What do you do for fun when you aren’t writing and reading books?
I love walking and exploring new cities by foot. You discover so many things that you wouldn’t whizzing by in a car. I also love going to plays and music concerts, watching corny romantic comedies, and spending time at my local public library.
Where do your stories come from?
All of my stories – whether picture books or novels – start with personal inspiration. Someone or something in my life has made a lasting emotional impact and I feel compelled to start writing. The rest is pure imagination. So I’d say it’s 10% inspiration and 90% imagination.