What is a childhood memory that makes you smile?
Going to school was my best memory.
What developed your love for writing?
Being a teacher developed my love for writing. It helped me to relate to my students.
Did you always want to be a children's author?
No, not really, it developed over years of reading wonderful stories to my classroom.
What did being an author mean to you as a child? What does it mean to you now?
Did not read anything as a child, now it fills my life with wonder, excitement, and encouraging the love of reading today for children.
As an adult, which children's author and/or which of their books do you think has ageless themes which inspire you, and you love to read?
Judy Blume wrote through the eyes of a child.
What inspired you to write the story of Danny Dragon in "Dear Master Dragon?"
I believe it was the sense of believing in yourself. We all go through difficult and challenging times as we grow and learning that some things take more time than others. We need to be comfortable in our own "skin!"
The story of friendship between Justin, Mario, and Marcus is really heartwarming. Which is your favorite day of the week? Why?
Every day is my favorite day, because it is always a blank page to be written on!
How long does it take for an award-winning author to write a best-selling novel?
Well, I do not write novels, I pen children's picture books, so with me, my process is usually two-three years. Collaborating with an illustrator and printer takes time until it all fits together!
How do children's authors get children to buy and review their books?
I do not know how that process works, unless children are given an opportunity to visit libraries and bookstores to become aware what books are available, and through author visits to schools. What 5 children's books should every parent read to their child? Besides my 6 bools, I would say, Where The Sidewalk Ends, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Ramona, Charlottes Web, Winnie the Pooh, The Giving Tree...and MORE!
What books did you read as a child/young adult you want to make sure your own children read?
The same ones mentioned above, as I did not have the opportunity to have books as a child.
As a children's author, how do you self-promote to 10-year-olds?
I feel the best way to promote to a 10 year old, is to find out what they like to do, what they enjoy reading about, what would they like to learn, what makes them happy or sad. Most of all how can a story help them be a better, more compassionate person.
Which is more important: money or education?
Education, of course, there are always ways to learn that do not include money. Look around, as they sang in Hamilton, the play!
What are your plans for the future as a writer? Are you working on anything new?
I am working on a new manuscript, actually, a story about adventure, mystery, and a boy and his dog!
What do you like the most about AllAuthor?
What I like most about AllAuthor is their dedication and committment to writing, reading, and providing a platform that encourage this across all ages, genres, and ethnicities.
