Q. Which of your books is your favorite?

A.  The one I’m working on is always the one I like best. Sometimes I read a book I wrote years ago and I’m delighted by how much I enjoy it. But sometimes I read one and wish I could revise it. Most writers spend most of our time re-writing, so I often feel that I would like to make anything I’ve written just a little better.

Q.  How long does it take to write a book?

A.  From 3 months to 3 years! It depends on my schedule, the publisher’s deadlines, and the subject of the book. You might be surprised to know that it’s usually faster to write about a dead person than a living one!  For example, when I wrote about Steve Wozniak (who is very much alive) I interviewed him many times. I’d begin by asking about a newspaper or magazine article about him, and he would nearly always say, “Oh, that information is wrong.” Current media often have many errors, and it takes time to get the facts right. Information sources about people in history tend to be books that were often more carefully researched than much of what appears in popular media today.

Q.  Where do you get your ideas?

A.  I like to write about things that I find inspiring. When I cruised the Erie Canal the first time, I did not expect to publish a book on it. But the Canal was so amazing, I just had to write about it!

            I’m a teacher at heart, and it’s exciting to write a book that reaches people beyond the students enrolled in my classes.

            Sometimes a publisher invites me to write about a particular topic. For example, Scholastic asked me to write about a President, and I chose Herbert Hoover. My parents used to tell me not to waste food and to eat everything on my plate. They said, “Have a Hoover.” I wanted to find out more about Hoover, and I was fascinated by what I learned.

            Susan B. Anthony said, “If something needs to be done, I do it.” What an inspiration! When I saw that my English as a Second Language students needed more skills to succeed in college, I created three DVD/book series to help them.  I’m thrilled that thousands of learners worldwide are now using these materials.

            Ideas are everywhere. The challenge comes in choosing which ones to pursue.

Q.  What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

A.  If you’re writing for children, join the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the SCBWI. Through that organization you can join a critique group to give and receive helpful feedback about your writing.

            If you want to get published, keep writing and revising and revising and revising. Don’t give up submitting your work. If you keep submitting, you might get published, but if you give up, you will definitely NOT get published.

Q.  We want to bring a children’s book author to visit our school.
What steps are involved?

A.  The steps are easier than you might think. I’ve listed them HERE.

Q.  How can we inquire about having you come to an event?

A.  Just contact me! esl@highlandpublishing.com