Interview
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in various towns in Pennsylvania. I was born in Harrisburg. After my father died in a car accident, we moved to my grandmother’s house in Factoryville, where my widowed grandmother owned a boardinghouse for elderly men and women.
My mother longed to move to Wales, from whence (love that word) her father — my grandfather — had emigrated. (Perhaps this is why I’ve always loved the children’s book, The String in the Harp). But we didn’t. Instead, we moved to Clarks Summit and then Mill Hall. After my mother remarried, we moved to Dalton, and several years later, we moved again to Moscow (Pennsylvania, not Russia), where I still live today.
What kinds of questions do kids ask?
The best questions. The very best questions. The questions depend on their age. Younger children — picture book readers, usually kindergarten and first grade — seem to think publishing a picture book is an arts-and-craft lesson. They want to know how I get the pictures on the page and how I stick the pages together. I love these questions because those are the kinds of books that kids make. (I made a few like that when I was a kid.)
Older kids want to know about my journey as a writer, how it all began, who or what inspired me to become a writer. They’re interested in the daily life of a writer, my workspace, how I get my ideas, the actual research process. Sometimes they want to know about the revision process (although it’s mostly teachers who ask this question.) Sometimes they want to know how they might pursue writing. Sometimes they want to know how much money a writer makes. (I answer this question by explaining publishing and advances and royalties to them.)
And young people of all ages want to know more about the books I’ve written — the subject matter.
What do you tell kids who want to write?
To be curious. To ask questions. To be interested in everything. To fill their well with information and imagination. To read. To love words. I like learning new things. I’ve taken classes in art, art-journaling, beekeeping, ghost-hunting, and Improv comedy. to name a few.
Okay, so where do your ideas come from?
Stories are all around us. You want to identify those stories, those ideas, that make your heart turn over, that make your heart swell. Writers write about things they like. They write about things they know. They write about things they want to know. They write about things they want to understand
How does someone become a writer?
You write. That’s how.
I’m a writer because I write. I write every single day, 365 days a year, even if it’s only 15 minutes. I write a lot of things that will never see ink in a published book.
The path to becoming a published writer is, one, make the time to do it. Two, is finishing what you start. Practice is important for any endeavor or skill that we want to get better at.
When do you write?
I work mornings. When I was teaching full time, I had a stricter schedule. I would write from 4 until 6 or 7 am every day. Then I’d get ready for school. My children were involved in sports and activities, and I didn’t want to miss a minute. Now, my children are grown, but I still get up very early to write.
Do you write on a computer?
I begin most poems and stories by hand. It’s the way I first learned to write, and so that seems the most natural. Once I have a good start, I turn to the keyboard.
Where do you write?
I have an office in my house. My husband built me an outdoor studio out of repurposed and recycled material that I call “the snuggery.” (If you recognize the word, you know it’s from Tolkien’s novel, The Hobbit.)
Do you have a certain number of pages or words that you try to write each day?
No, although I know many writers do. Instead, I use a kitchen timer. I write for 45 minutes, and then when the timer goes off, I take a break, even if I’m in mid-sentence or mid thought. On my break, I might do dishes, throw a load of wash in, dust a room or two, or walk the dog. I try to avoid social media or making a phone call. If I’m starting a new story, I might only write for 45 minutes. Once I’m headlong into the story, I’ll do several rounds of 45-minute sessions.
Do you play a musical instrument?
As a kid, I studied piano for eight years. Despite all those lessons and recitals, I wasn’t very good. I didn’t have a passion for learning to play well. I’m convinced my piano teacher was relieved when I stopped.
Do you have any pets?
I grew up in an animal-loving family. At various times, we had dogs, cats, ducks, hamsters, a parakeet, guinea pigs, and a goat. Today, I have a Shih Tzu named Walter. He’s a very good boy who sometimes makes bad decisions.
Where have you traveled?
So far I’ve visited schools, taught, or conducted research in 42 out of 50 states and as far away as England, Germany, Ireland, France, Italy, Bangladesh, Egypt, and Singapore. Today, I live most of the time in Moscow, Pennsylvania and part time in Scotland.
Do you visit schools?
Yes! I love meeting readers and writers. Learn more.