Do you do virtual school visits? What do you do?
Yes! Check out my school visit page.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always loved to write. I’ve written stories, poems and journals for as long as I can remember. As a kid, when I daydreamed or played at being grown-up I never imagined myself as a writer. Instead I dreamed of being a famous girl reporter, a secret agent or a teacher. Although the girl reporter and secret agent never worked out, I was lucky enough to work as a teacher for many years.
What the heck do writers do all day?
Beside writing, I do a lot of reading, letter writing, answering emails and school visits.
No matter what though I start out each day with my writer’s notebook. I get up really early and before anyone else in the house is up, I spend an hour just writing. Just like when I was a kid, I write stories, poems and journal entries. I write for the pure fun of it without worrying about editors, publishers or making books. It is my favorite time of the day! And the good thing about that kind of fun, creative writing, sometimes, something that I write turns into a story.
After I’m done with my fun, morning writing time, I usually switch gears and work on my current book project. If I’m doing nonfiction writing, I might need to do research, note-taking or even take a trip to the museum. If I’m working on a fiction story, I will probably be rewriting and rewriting and maybe even more rewriting.. (Whenever I’m stuck, one of my favorite things to do is to go to the library! It is so close I can walk!) And the truth is, I usually have several book projects going at once, so I often bounce between them. I might be revising one, and doing research on another. This way, my daily work varies and I never get in a rut and never get bored with what I’m working on.
What’s the best part about being a writer?
There are actually a couple of best parts. First of all, being a writer has given me the chance to learn all sorts of new things, go new places and meet new people, including all the kids I meet at school visits.
Also, being a writer gives me the excuse to buy books and to read, read and read some more!
How can I become a writer?
There are two sure fire ways to help yourself become a better writer. First of all, try and write every day, or at least as often as you can. Most of what you write probably won’t even be very good. Mine isn’t. That’s okay, I don’t show most of what I write to anyone. I know that it takes a lot of bad writing to get to good writing.
The second thing you should do is READ. Read all sorts of things, but mostly read the kind of books that you want to write. If you want to write mysteries then read them. If you want to write humorous books, read them. You won’t even realize it, but you will be learning how to write as you are enjoying yourself by reading a good book.
Where can I get your books?
You should be able to find them at a bookstore near you. Also, you can order them directly from the publishers or go to Amazon or Barnes and Noble.