1. Have you always wanted to be an author? 

I have always loved to write. I made my first book, Petey’s Scratch and Sniff Adventure, in second grade. (It was full of scratch and sniff stickers so all of my classmates loved it.)

 

2. When / why did you first start writing Spanish language books?

I wrote my first Spanish language book in 2010. I had taken a class on the Spanish Civil War. There was so much information that I wanted to share with my students, but graduate level materials were not accessible to them. I created a backward planned unit on the topic and showed it to Kristy Placido. She and Carol Gaab encouraged me to write a reader to accompany it. I needed so much help that first time! It’s HARD to keep a book comprehensible. 

 

3. What, to you, are the most important elements of a good Spanish language book for 2nd language acquisition?

The most important element is always a great story. I want my stories to be page turners! After an author has a solid story, THEN they can go back and work on keeping the vocabulary accessible to students! The story is always the hook to keep kids reading.

 

4. Which of your characters do you relate to the most? Why?

I relate most to the tone of my books. I feel like I’m drawn to dark stories. The characters go through real struggles, because life isn’t always sunshine. I like that about them. 

 

5. What kinds of books do you like to read?

I read a TON of Young Adult Fiction because I like to talk to my students about what they’re reading. I love dystopian settings. I also am a die hard Stephen King fan. If you haven’t read his latest book, Fairy Tale, DO IT!

 

6. Describe your ideal writing space / atmosphere. How do you prepare to write? (Do you go to a specific room of your house? Grab a cup of coffee/tea? Go to Starbucks or the library?)

Ok, this is going to sound ridiculous…I have actually finished three of my books while sitting at a table at 6 Flags (Amusement Park) during Fright Fest with my students. I don’t write slowly over time, I get character voices in my head and I have to GET THEM OUT. So a nice 8 hour undisturbed period of time is amazing! When I am editing the drafts, I like to sit in my living room with ALL THE COFFEE. 

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