Doing a school report?
(or just want to know more?)
* Where/When were you born?
Dickinson, ND
July 3, 1966
* How long have you been writing?
I've been writing since I was old enough to hold a pencil. I've been publishing my writing since I
was in high school. So far, I have six published
books.
* What do you like to do in your spare time?
Spare time? What's that? When I do have
those rare free moments, I love to do creative
things - drawing, decorating Pysanky
(Ukrainian eggs,) knitting. I also love to rock
hunt and I volunteer with raptors.
Artemis, the Peregrine Falcon, and I are teaching others about raptors
* Raptors, you mean like dinosaurs?
No, I mean raptors: owls, hawks, falcons,
eagles. I volunteer at the Raptor Center
in St. Paul, MN. An amazing place.
Here's their website: The Raptor Center
* I really want to be a published author. How can I do this?
Before even thinking about publishing, you
should focus on writing. Write a LOT and then
write some more. And read. A LOT. Read books
in genres that you love and books in genres that
aren't your favorite. Reading is what informs
your writing. Writing should always be your
focus, not publishing.
My spinning wheel. It's fun to spin wool and other fibers into yarn.
*What do you like to read?
I love love love books! I love reading
mysteries, science fiction, fantasy,
and of course historical fiction.
Here are some historical fiction
books I would recommend.
Historical Fiction (Middle Grade)
Homeless Bird, by Gloria Whelan
Hattie Big Sky, by Kirby Larson
Number The Stars, by Lois Lowry
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, by Gary Schmidt
Matilda Bone, by Karen Cushman
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, by Avi
Esperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan
Bud Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis
Crispin: the Cross of Lead, by Avi
Ukrainian eggs I've made. I learned how to do this when I was in middle school.
Meet Franz. He is named after the Czech writer Franz Kafka. The writer Kafka and I were both born on July 3rd!
Meet Nadeje. The word "nadeje" is the Czech word for "hope." My Nadeje loves boxes!