Author Chats 2

From left to right starting at the top:

Sonya Sones, Holly Black, Carolyn Mackler, Mitali Perkins, Lisa Yee, Kirsten Miller, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Dia Calhoun, Janet Lee Carey, Gaby Triania, Lauren Myracle

If you could meet any person in the world, who would it be?

I knew this one was coming! I've been thinking about it. I keep switching between Elizabeth Bennet and Captain Jean Luc Picard. (Yes I am a TREKKIE!!!) -Dia Calhoun

George Cloooney. -Kirsten Miller

Aung San Suu Kyi, the elected leader of Burma, who is under house arrest. She is one of my heroes. -Mitali Perkins

Jesus and Gandhi -Janet Lee Carey

Have you had any fun fan expierences?

Right now! Also, I was just spotted by a fan at a play on Saturday night. I was OVER THE MOON! -Carolyn Mackler

What first got you interested in writing?

Reading. As soon as I could read a book I knew I wanted to write one. -Lisa Yee

Do you have any other interests besides reading and writing?

I love taking photos, especially of my author friends. I love dancing. I love the movies. I love reading. Cooking is fun. Shopping for vintage clothes from the 40's and 50's... -Sonya Sones

What is your favorite outfit?

Jeans and a t-shirt, NO DOUBT. I am a no fuss, no muss kind of gal. ;) -Lauren Myracle

On me? I don't know! That's a great question. I guess the answer is that I am obsessed with jackets and a new and spiffy jacket is always my favorite. I have a purple leather one right now that I love to death. -Holly Black

What was the hardest part to write in Tantalize? Was there a hard part?

The hardest part was knowing that I had a huge story to tell, but I'd have to start with one book and pray that a readership would be there to demand more. I had an established reputation as a Native American themes writer for children so some folks thought it would be difficult for readers to think of me as writing anything else. So I had to take it one step at a time. Fortunately, the response has been really great, and it seems strange now that anyone would be worried. I really appreciate all the support. It's been an amazing and heartening year. -Cynthia Leitich Smith

What is one of your favorite CD's?

I love Walela, very soothing. - Cynthia Leitich Smith

Do you read aloud to your kids very often? If so, do you have one or two particular books you enjoy reading to them most? I read aloud to them all the time. When Michael was little, it was Goodnight Moon to a tune I made up that would make him fall asleep. Now, I read anything aloud that he brings home. With the little ones, I read the Spanish version of an Eric Carle book, De la cabeza a los pies, that has different animals. And Goodnight Moon. They picked that up and gave it to me to read too, and they love it. Weird. No wonder that book is a winner.-Gaby Triana

Do you have a motto for your life?

"Eat more cake." -Gaby Triana

Who was your favorite teacher in highschool?

My favorite teacher was my dearly loved English tutor, Mrs. Saunders. So many reasons why! But the biggest one is that she believed in me. She believed I could do whatever I set out to try. She encouraged me to dream I could be a writer, and taught me all about grammer and punctuation so that I had the tools to be one! Sadly she died before my first book came out.-Dia Calhoun

Thank you Readergirlz!