1. Can you tell us something
hardly anyone knows about you?
I used to want to write country songs. (I kind of still do.)
2. Do you have a nickname?
Mommy.
3. What is your greatest
fear?
I don’t like heights so much but I’m more afraid of being afraid of
things, so I climb pretty high anyway.
4. Can you describe your
writing style for us in ten words?
I open a new document and hope for the best!
5. Can you give us five positive
words that describe you as a writer?
Creative, honest, funny, observant, hopeful.
6. What book character would
you most like to be, and why?
Probably Charlotte A. Cavatica (from Charlotte’s Web) — she is so
grounded and thoughtful and bright and optimistic. She lifts up everyone around
her and makes a big contribution to the world. I’d like to be a hard-working
spider who leaves the world a better place.
7. If you could time travel,
what year would you go to and why?
I think I’d like to go back to the early 60s when things were heating
up here in America — we were on the brink of so much change at that time (and
there was so much good music). I’d like to go a dance where you get swung
around by someone and then to a rally for equality. I would have loved to be a
part of it. Also, I would get to meet my maternal grandfather, which would make
the inherent risks of time travel well worth it!
8. What would your
ten-year-old self say to you now?
Don’t get a perm!
9. Who is your greatest
influence?
In writing, my greatest influence is Paula Danziger. I’ve said from the
beginning that if I could affect one young reader the way The Cat Ate My
Gymsuit affected me, I will have been successful. In life, my greatest
influence is my mother.
10. What or who made you
start writing?
I started writing as a way to distract myself from the messy things of
childhood and adolescence. Then in tenth grade a special teacher told me I was
good at it. He took me aside to say that, which is why certain teachers really
are heroes. They build people. Anyway, that was that — I don’t think I ever
thought about being anything else ever again.
11. What is your favourite
word and why?
Dynamic. It’s only one word but it does so much of the work. I use it
too much. I’ve even looked up synonyms for it to try to use it less. But 'lively' doesn’t cut it.
12. If you could only read
one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That’s an impossible question, really. I get so many different things
from so many different books, it would be torture to read only one forever and
ever! Some favourites are Charlotte’s Web and The Trumpet of the Swan for their
language and wisdom. But also Ramona and Her Father because every word in that
book is true.
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If you are an author or illustrator who thinks they are BRAVE enough to answer our questions,
OR if there is an author or illustrator you would like to hear from, LET US KNOW!
We will see if they are up to the task. Just email: anouska(AT)kids-bookreview.com
