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FAQs
What is your favourite animal?
Can you guess? (Hint: Look at the picture above!)
I've written over 20 books, and I hope to write many more!
Every book is special for its own reasons. I love Bears because it was my first book. The Kids Book of Canada's Railway is a favourite because I wrote it for my parents and grandparents. Lily and the Mixed-up Letters is based on my daughter, Helen, and Emma's Story is about my friend's daughter, Katie.
I wrote my first book in 1994. I plan to keep writing until I'm very old!
No, that came as a surprise. But I've always loved books and reading. I now realize that kids who love reading as much as I did often become writers.
I have a frisky dog named Blaze, who looks a little bit like a wolf. He sleeps under my desk when I'm writing and lets me know when it's time to get up from my computer and go for a walk!
Animal books usually take me about three months to write, but other kinds of books take longer. My history books each took two or three years. And, when I write a story, I polish it for at least a year before it's ready to go to a publisher.
No, I don't draw well at all. All the pictures are created by an illustrator, who paints or draws beautifully. My publisher picks the illustrator, and chooses someone whose style will suit my writing. It's always exciting to see the art that brings my words to life.
Even though I don't go to school every day, I still feel as though I'm teaching when I write a book. I always remember my students and think about what kind of book they might like to read.
I love them all! Writing nonfiction is easier for me, but I'm trying hard to get better at stories.
I go to the library and read a lot of books. I spend time in museums or archives, and I talk to experts. I also interview people to hear their stories, and I watch animals in nature. Researching helps me learn something new every day.
