1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I love travelling and seeing the world and meeting new people and learning as much as I can all the time. I have been to 50 countries.
2. What is your nickname?
Losing people that I love. Living
in a world where we don’t find
the way to respect and love each other.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
in a world where we don’t find
the way to respect and love each other.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
My co-author and I wrote from our hearts.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Loving, poetic, imaginative, colorful, musical.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Lisa, of course (from The Children of Willesden Lane)! She has passion, guts, courage, and a will to make something of her life and follow her dreams.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I would go back to Vienna in the early 1800s and would love to meet Beethoven!
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
Wow, Mona! You followed your dream and you did it!
9. Who is your greatest influence?
9. Who is your greatest influence?
Lisa , my mother.
10. What/who made you start writing?
I woke up one day many years ago, after being hired to perform the Grieg piano concerto and thought I wanted to share my mother’s story with the world. I thought if I could write a book, I could inspire so many readers to follow their dreams, just like Lisa Jura! Then I met Lee and we started to write her story.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Courage. Courage to stand up for what is right, courage to make a difference, courage to follow your dreams.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That is such a tough question. There are so many wonderful, amazing books in the world to inspire all of us. But if I had to choose, it would be Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo. I cried so much reading that book when I was 11 years old and have never forgotten the feelings in my heart. I hope our book, The Children of Willesden Lane, will inspire so many young readers and they will keep the story close in their hearts.
