1 - Is it easy or hard to write and illustrate books?
It’s both. It’s easy when I have lots of ideas, or I know how to solve a problem. It’s hard when I feel as if I’ll never have another idea in my life, or if I’ve been painting all day and I’m tired and cranky and I think the art looks horrible and I think about throwing it out and starting over. That’s when I know it’s time to quit…but only until the next day.
2 - How many books have you written?
I've lost count! But I’ve published two, so far. Some of the stories weren’t working right, and some I’ve put away for a while- maybe I’ll come back to them later. But all that time was definitely useful because I learned something new from each story.
3 - Do your kids like you to read your stories to them?
Usually they are happy to listen once. After the thousandth time of hearing me walking around the house reciting the story out loud to work out the problems, they roll their eyes and run away!
4 - How many pets do you have?
One outside cat, two inside cats who are sisters, one crazy Dalmatian dog, and countless mice.
5 - How long does it take you to write and illustrate a story?
It takes me about a year to get the words and pictures in good enough shape to send to an editor. I wish I coul d work faster! Then if the editor agrees to publish the story it can be another couple of years before it’s a real book, to leave time for making even more changes, doing the artwork, having the book printed, etc. I never really feel as if it’s finished.
6 - How old are you?
How old do you think I am? (Answers usually range from age 24 to 52). But seriously, 39 and 5/6th. And I don't mind being asked my age. It's good to be curious!
7 - Why do you like being a writer?
I get to make things up!
8 - Do you like writing or drawing better?
It depends on my mood. The nice thing about being the author and the illustrator is that if I get bored with one, I can do the other. Sometimes I like to think in pictures, and sometimes I like to think in words.
9 - Have you ever won a Caldecott?
No, but I dream about it every day! (Actually, I really don’t. I’m so happy, and lucky, to be able to do what I love every day. That’s the most important thing).
10 - How does it make you feel when an editor asks you to change something in one of your stories? (Asked by a teacher).
Sometimes my first reaction is to feel awful, because I’ve already worked so hard. I can't possibly make any more changes! So I read through the editor’s comments and then put the story away for a while. With a little time, I realize their suggestions usually have truth to them, and I find ways to solve the problems. An editor is like your teacher- they just want your story to be the best it can be!
