Author Q/A
Here are a few questions students have emailed me the last 3-4 years. Here are my answers!
What are your favorite things?
Things? Okay. Well I love red cars, cream cheese frosting, Ed Sheeran songs, watching fireflies, flowers that don’t make me sneeze (I have allergies), pontoon rides, walking on the beach with my husband, BOOKS of course, first day of school, last day of school, hugging my grandkids, fantastic views and dipping salty fries in DQ ice cream.
What or who inspires you?
Seeing a finished project after a lot of hard work. And people who have turned their life around in spite of insurmountable challenges.
What is your favorite book?
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. When I first read it, I had no idea there were gangs (I led a sheltered life on the farm I guess-no internet yet). And the names of the boys-Ponyboy, Sodapop… loved ‘em!
Did you like to write when you were a kid?
Nope. Not until I was in high school. I loved math and reading. Writing was a chore and took a long time. Plus my handwriting wasn’t very pretty and, honestly, I think that’s why I didn’t like to write.
Did you meet any authors when you grew up?
I never met an author until I was in college. One of my college professors took out a book she had written and my jaw probably dropped to the floor. Someone I knew had written a book! I thought to myself right then and there-I bet I could do that.
What is the best part about being an author?
Seeing kids enjoy my books and seeing all the time I put into it pay off.
What is the hardest part about being an author?
It’s a job that takes a lot of time. You do all by yourself, alone, at a computer in your house for no pay. Self-motivation is key. You have to sit down and do it, not knowing whether the story you’re working on will ever turn into a book.
What is your advice for someone wanting to become an author?
Read, read, read. And don’t let any of the “rules” of how to write stop you from telling a story the way you want to.