??? Q & A For Kids ???

1. When were you born?

   February 16. I won’t give you the year, but you can find it if you look!

        2.  Where did you grow up?

   Iowa City, IA

3. Did you have pets growing up?

  We always had a dog: Muffin and then Buttons.

4. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

My answer will probably surprise you. Most writers know when they’re 8 or 10, but it never occurred to me that I could make my living writing books until I grew up and married a writer. My husband Ed is a full-time writer, mostly of mystery and suspense novels for adults.

5.  How many books have you written?

 I’ve written 48 books. Forty have been published.

6. How do you get the ideas for your books?

 I’ve gotten ideas from songs on the radio, newspaper articles, conversations I’ve overheard. One of my best ideas came to me in a dream! Most of my ideas, though, seem to fall out of the sky and hit me in the head. I have no idea where they come from.

7. What’s your favorite book that you’ve written?

 Generally, it’s the book I’m currently writing. I’m always excited about a story when I’m in the middle of it.­

8. Do you have any pets?

Ed and I are the proud parents of five feline daughters: Nora, Lilly, Frankie, Grace, and Coco. Ed and I love animals! We would have more cats and a dog or two if we thought they’d all get along. Unfortunately, one of our cats, Grace (who is not very aptly named), is a maniac and hates Coco. We have to keep them in separate rooms at all times.

9. Have you ever written with your husband?

We’re currently writing a mystery novel together. It’ll be for a general adult audience. Several cats figure in the story!

10. Will you write any more books for kids?

You bet! I’m working on the idea that came from a dream. I’ve been working on it for a long time because I want to get it just right. 

Do you have more questions that you’d like me to answer? Contact me, and maybe I’ll answer them here!