FAQs for Readers

You have so many books, where do I start?

I’ve got you covered. In less than 30 seconds you’ll discover your next read. Click here.

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I was about seven years old and read a story I loved then discovered the author was dead. Dead!! I couldn’t believe a story that felt so alive could have been created by someone who was no longer around. I was stunned. Shaken. Amazed. Inspired.

I couldn’t believe that stories could travel through time. I was about seven years old when I looked at all the books in the library in an entirely new way and thought ‘I want to be a part of this’.

How did you learn to write?

Truthfully, I learned to draw first. I scribbled and drew my first story in my mother’s journal (fortunately she liked it) and never stopped telling stories. Stories were easy.

Writing, however, proved more of a challenge. I had a terrible time learning letters so my mother taught me to ‘draw’ them and I had a wretched time with spelling (yeah, you try sounding out cough, thought and through even though they all have ‘ough’ and while we’re at it, how come ice and juice don’t rhyme? And the word that nearly ruined third grade for me: of). Oh, and did I mention I was not considered a strong reader?

But thanks to understanding parents, some good teachers and a great library system I practiced what I preach: I read A LOT and wrote A LOT and that’s what got me here and keeps me going.

What books or magazines influenced your style?

This is a dangerously painful question. There are too many influences (literally thousands) for me to even begin to whittle down, but I’ll try.

Here are three off the top of my head.

I was about six years old when I got a subscription to the magazine Highlights for Children. I learned a lot, especially about rejection since I never got my work selected for the Our Own Page section. Didn’t care, kept going.

The Dragon Takes a Wife by Walter Dean Myers. The story of a hapless dragon and a black fairy. Thanks to Mr. Myers and the illustrator Ann Grifalconi I discovered stories could be magical, funny and feature diversity.

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud I learned so much about storytelling and I continue to learn

Where do you get your ideas?

Sorry that answer will cost you. I’m not divulging my secrets.

Just joking. The reality is ideas are like dust, they’re everywhere.

You have written so much, where do I start?

Really? Click here.