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 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. I used to go to clubs all the time. One night, when I came out of a club, my ears were ringing, and they have never stopped. I rarely venture out to concerts or clubs, but when I do, I have to wear earplugs, because my hearing is now hyper-sensitive. (If you go somewhere really loud, wear earplugs!)
Number 5.
I was once hired as a power tool demonstrator. I was the only female, and I didn't know what the hell I was doing.
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 twenty pages, I stop reading it.
FAQ
Will there be a sequel to SNITCH or STREET PHARM?
This is by far the most common question I get asked. There's no talk of a sequel to either book yet, so I can't make any promises. But I am definitely open to the idea of continuing Ty and Julia's stories.
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 known, especially my students.
Will there be a STREET PHARM or SNITCH movie?
The movie rights haven't been sold yet, so I don't know. A film student in San Fran made an awesome movie trailer for Street Pharm; check it out at vile-blase.com; but I warn you, it's quite violent, and not appropriate for a young teen audience. He hopes to make it into a movie one day.
How do you balance teaching and writing?
I rarely have days off. I spend most weekends at my computer. It's intense. It's exhausting. But I love it.
What are you writing now?
Another gritty paranormal teen book, along with some lighter stuff...
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 webcam visit to your class. Contact me for details.
Is that really you on myspace and 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. I get this question a lot and it's very tough for me. With my own writing to work on, not to mention my students' work to mark, I don't have time to read your work. 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
If you’re reading this, you probably already know a few things about me. I’m the author of STREET PHARM, SNITCH, RAVEN, and a number of other teen novels at various stages on their way to a bookstore or library near you. I work full time as a high school teacher in Ottawa, Canada, and write evenings, weekends, and – thank God – summer vacations.
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. My new book, RAVEN, comes out Feb. 10, 2009.
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