| |
 Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About Me - Until Now!
FAQ
BIO
Top Ten Things You Didn't Know About Me - Until Now!
Number 10.
I was once hired by a major airline to try to smuggle a fake bomb onto a plane. Thankfully, the employees found it -- and they caught me, too!
Number 9.
Most of my schooling was in French. It helped me get a lot of jobs, including the one I have now. (One of the courses I teach is French.)
Number 8.
I moved to New York in August of 2001 and started teaching one week before September 11th.
Number 7.
I have felt the presence of a ghost several times in my life.
Number 6.
My ears have been ringing since I was 21. Literally. One night, when I came out of a dance club, my ears were ringing, and they have never stopped. Thankfully, it doesn't bother me as much now as it did back then. But I rarely venture out to loud concerts or clubs, and when I do, I wear earplugs. (If you go somewhere really loud, wear earplugs!)
Number 5.
I was once hired as a power tool demonstrator. It's a wonder I still have all my fingers.
Number 4.
I am a minister's daughter. My mom is the minister.
Number 3.
I spent my 24th birthday alone. It was a few weeks after I moved to New York and I didn't have any friends yet. I decided to live out a secret fantasy: I bought a cream pie and stuck my face in it. (And yes, I ate it afterward!)
Number 2.
I write while listening to music. I often do an upper-body dance in my chair and nod my head. Sometimes I get up, do a little dance, then sit back down again.
Number 1.
I have probably only finished half of the books I've started. If it doesn't grab me within a few pages, I stop reading it.
FAQ
Will there be a sequel to any of your books?
The only book that has a sequel at the moment is THE ORACLE OF DATING. THE ORACLE REBOUNDS came out in November, 2010.
Are Ty Johnson, Julia Divino or any of your characters based on real people?
No, but I've known teens like them. Most of my characters carry some of the qualities of people I've met, especially my students.
Will there be a movie for any of your books?
There has been some talk about a Street Pharm movie, but the rights haven't been sold yet, so I don't know. In the meantime, a film student in San Fran made an awesome movie trailer for Street Pharm. You can check it out at vile-blase.com; but I warn you, it's quite violent, and not appropriate for a younger teen audience.
How do you balance teaching and writing?
I rarely have days off. I spend most weekends at my computer. It's intense. But I love it.
What are you writing now?
Another gritty urban book, kinda like Street Pharm and Snitch.
Can you come to my school?
Maybe. I can't get away from my job often, but I like to visit schools when I can -- especially in places I've never been to! ;) I also might be able to do a Skype visit or conference call to your class. Contact me for details.
Is that really you on facebook?
Yes, of course it is! I love hearing from readers, so make sure to add me as a friend.
Can you look at my book?
Unfortunately, I can't. With my own writing to work on, not to mention my students' work to mark, I simply don't have time. And I don't feel it's fair for me to say yes to one of you, and not all of you. The good news is that you don't need me to read your work, just someone who knows books and pays close attention to detail -- maybe your English teacher, someone in your family etc.
BIO
I’ve been writing for more than half my life, and have been telling stories since I was a kid. Back then, I was into movies, and the original Terminator and Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure are among my all-time faves. As a teen, I fell in love with books and with writing, and my goal was to become a published author one day.
In the meantime, I went to Carleton University, got a degree in History, and eventually went to teacher’s college. While still in teacher’s college, I heard that the NYC Dept of Ed was recruiting teachers. It sounded like a great adventure – and challenge – so I went to Toronto for the interview and got hired on the spot by the Brooklyn school board.
Teaching in Brooklyn inspired my writing, and that’s when I wrote STREET PHARM and SNITCH. Since then, I’ve returned to my hometown, and have kept on teaching and writing. RAVEN came out in 2009, and THE ORACLE OF DATING and its sequel, THE ORACLE REBOUNDS, hit the shelves in 2010. Look out for my next book, THE VAMPIRE STALKER, in June 2011.
|
|
