Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

My life is all about kids. In the morning, I’m a part-time grade school secretary and I’m surrounded by them. In the afternoon, I follow my passion and I write for them. Somewhere in the midst of all that, I help them write their own stories at allwritewithme.com. I’m a huge fan of imagination and kids are the most imaginative people around.

Describe your book ‘Swept Up’ in 30 words or less.

After getting locked inside a simulated town, sixth graders become strangely committed to a janitor. As the town turns dangerously real, one girl struggles to ward off his spell.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

It took months to figure out why the first few drafts didn’t quite resonate. Once I realized I needed the strongest character to relate the story, the rest began falling into place. 

What books have had the greatest influence on you?

Jennifer Murdley’s Toad by Bruce Coville – I love the way fantasy intrudes on reality. That’s what I aimed to do in Swept Up.

The Witches of Worm by Phyllis Keatley Snyder – I first read this story when I was 10 and again in 2010. It’s still the creepiest book I’ve ever read.

Mick Harte Was Here by Barbara Park – No matter how many times I read it, it makes me cry. Her voice is so real and true and perfect.

Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?

Press releases, social media, blogs, online book reviews and interviews. The ultimate goal is for teachers and kids to discover my writing and the book through the allwritewithme website. The site continues to win awards and endorsements so it’s getting more traffic every day. Locally, I conduct “author visit” and “site introduction” presentations. I plan to offer these presentations via Skype in the near future. 

How do you spend your time when you are not writing?

I’m constantly on the lookout for new ways to inspire, motivate and assist young writers at allwritewithme.com. I have a great husband and two wonderful kids and we talk a lot and laugh a lot. I also piddle around the yard, pretend to help my husband with home improvement projects, and come up with imaginative reasons for not cleaning the house.  

What are you working on next?

Another middle grade reality-based fantasy with the working title, “More than a Lizard”. It’s about a slightly reckless, forgetful 11-year-old who hides what she thinks is an unusually playful lizard in her room. But the lizard is more ornery and more intelligent than she bargains for. As she learns what it actually is, her growing love for it leads her to make the hardest decision of her life.