Questions Kids Ask Me

 
Whenever I meet kids to talk about my writing, they ask me lots of the same questions. Maybe you're wondering the same things!
  • How old are you?
Sometimes adults are funny about their age, but I don't mind telling you. I'm 49.
  • How long have you been writing?
I started writing when I was 18, so I've been writing for 32 years now.
  • Why do you use a pen name?
My writing for kids is very different from my writing for grown-ups, and I don't want someone who buys one of my books to be disappointed. I use a pen name for my children's writing so readers will know what kind of story to expect.
  • How many books have you written?
I've written three fantasy novels and two have been published. Yay! I've written more than 200 poems and short stories, and about 20 of them have been printed. Yay again! I've also written some picture books, and none of them are published. Wah! But I'm still trying hard to find the right editor.
It takes me about a week to finish the first draft of a picture book. Novels take longer, about two years for the first draft. But the book isn't finished until I've done several revisions, and even then an editor might still ask me to make more changes.
  • Which one is your favorite book (or story)?
I'm very proud of Too Many Princes, my current fantasy novel, but my very favorite is a short story called "The Donkey and the Unicorn." I wasn't able to find a publisher for a long time, but finally it will be out as a podcast in 2009.
  • What are you working on next?
I finished a new fantasy novel during July of 2009 and I'm thinking about revisions. I've also started a new novel for 4th, 5th and 6th graders called Curse of the Dark Elf. I'm trying to find an agent who can help me sell it to a publisher.
Do you have a question? Ask your mom or dad to help you send me a letter or an e-mail. I'll try to answer you right away.
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