What are you working on now?
This week I worked on Disasters Happen: Earthquake which will be published by Guardian Angel in 2008. It is a non-fiction book for the science series. It is aimed at first-third graders. (What causes earthquakes? Can we predict them? Where do they happen? How do we prepare for them? What to do during a quake? What happens afterwards.)
I am also working on a storybook called Brittany's Wall, (Needs a better title.) and a mid-grade chapter book called Tasha the Magnificent. Brittany is going into its 8th rewrite. Tasha is going into its 9th rewrite. I have contacted the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) for a new critique group for Tasha. I find re-writing to be both drudgery and magic. When I finish a story, I am always convinced that I have written the best story I am capable of writing. It is amazing to see how much better it can become.
What is the best writing advice you have ever received?
It is not your business to question your talent. It is your business to show up at the page. (Okay, it's short, but it's great advice.)
Do you have a website or blog where readers may learn more about you and your works?
http://jamiesdream.com links to my live journal and to mine and Christopher's IMDB.com pages. I am looking forward to making another website where I can list other books as they come out and link to other authors.
What is the IMDB?
It is the internet movie data base (http://imdb.com) It is a wonderful site. You can look up any movie or TV show and see the full cast and credits. You can also look up any actor and (hopefully) see what movies and TV shows they have done. I say hopefully because I cannot seem to get my Hannah Montana Episode added. I don't have a large Movie and TV resume. Most of my professional work is theatre.
Is there anything else you'd like to say to our readers?
Andrea says to Melina in The Magic Violin, "I'll tell you what's magic - believing in yourself. That's magic!" Jamie says in Jamie's Dream, "But mom, you said I could do anything I believed I could do." I think Andrea and Jamie's mom give very good advice. May you always find the magic.
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