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 52.
  • How long have you been writing?
I started writing when I was 18, so I've been writing for 34 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 six fantasy novels and three 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 or short story. 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 second 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 sometime in 2011.
  • What are you working on next?
I just finished Curse of the Dark Elf, a fantasy novel for 4th, 5th and 6th graders. There will be at least one sequel, maybe more. I'm also trying to find a publisher for my other novels, Masters of Air and Fire and The Seven Exalted Orders. And I'm already working on my next book, which will be for adults and has a werewolf in it.
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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