Q: How long have you been writing?
A: Six years.

Q: How can I become a writer?
A: To be a writer you must be a noticer.
Take it all in. Sights, sounds, feelings, weather, color, smell, texture. Savor what is happening around you. Imagine the "what ifs." Care about people, try to feel what they are feeling. The number one thing to remember is that writers write, we don't just talk about writing.

Q: Where do you come up with your story ideas?
A: From the life and lives that are all around me as well as my own life.

Q: How can I submit my stories?
A: If you have a short story you want to share, www.chickensoup.com, is a great place to start. They will read your story and they accept submissions from all age groups.

Q: Are your stories true?
A: All my short stories are true stories. Chicken Soup stories must be from real life events.

Q: In your story Goodwill, did Kristan and Annie become friends?
A: In Goodwill, I am the girl who worked all summer for the skirt. I used Kristan and Annie as names after two of my dear nieces. Another story about Kristan and me is "The Real Me" in Stories for the Teen's Hear III and retitled "The Mirror" in Chicken Soup for the Christian Teenage Soul. In that story, her name is Rosa. You'll see that I had a lot to learn about real friendship! Her family moved away just as I began to realize how special she was.

Q: Did you ever tell Kristan that she had your skirt?
A: No, I never did. It seemed kinder not to. Her family had been through so much and I wanted her to just have it.

Q: Does the actor that plays you on TV look like you?
A: No, not really. For one thing, she is blonde and I had auburn red hair.
(Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Soul TV series, Stories for the Teen's Heart, Fox Kid's Network, PAX Television, Woman's World Magazine, Guide Magazine.)

Q: Did Loni in the story, I am Loni, ever lose weight?
A: Loni never became what would be considered thin but she has become a beautiful young woman. She knows that you don't have to be swimsuit model thin to be healthy and pretty. She has learned to love shopping.
(Chicken Soup for the Christian Teen's Soul; Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, Collection)

Q: Did you ever date John in Dear John?
A: Sometimes we learn our lessons too late in life. This was one of those times.
(Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul IV)

Q: In Call Me, you said that you called Juanita. Did you become friends?
A: Yes, and it was wonderful. Through our friendship I learned about the wonderful Mexican culture, music, family commitment and their FOOD, which I still love to eat!
(Chicken Soup for the Teenager's Soul II, Chicken Soup for the Teenager's Soul, Collection Chicken Soup for the Girl's Soul (Fall 2005), Stories for the Teen's Heart)

Q: Did Helen ever get over her mother's death? (How Sweet the Sound)
A: Helen trusted that she would see her mother again. She and her father healed together. It was her deep faith that I felt during her performance and that touched my heart forever.
(Chicken Soup for the Christian Teen's Soul, Stories for the Teen's Heart, Stories for the Faithful Heart, True)

Q: I would be really embarrassed if my Mom taught the Sex Ed class with me in it. Where you embarrassed? (Klutzdust and Puberty)
A: That story is actually about my daughter, Hilary. I was the teacher. She was embarrassed and I felt sorry for her! I made sure from then on that Hilary was not in the class when I came to teach. (Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul II)

Q: Did Carrie's parents ever re-marry? (Changes)
A: No, they didn't. But, Carrie's father has stayed close to her and that has made it easier. (Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, Tough Stuff)

Q: To See You made me cry. How is Cheryl doing? I lost my mother a few years ago and it's getting better now. Send her my best wishes, please.
A: Thank you, I'll pass on your message. My daughter-in -law is an amazing woman with three young children. Her mother celebrated even the little moments in people's lives and to honor her, Cheryl has continued to celebrate life as she is healing. (Chicken Soup for Every Mom's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Soul, King's Features Syndication)

Q: I laughed when I read Trying Times and Dirty Dishes. I have small children, too. Any advice?
A: The best advice is my mother's. Believe it. Slow down, enjoy, these are the days you will cherish. (Chicken Soup for Every Mom's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Grandma's Soul - Fall 2005)

Q: Have you done any of the things that you shared with Louisa? (Louisa's Bouquet)
A: Yes, I became a writer! I thank Louisa everytime I see a story of mine published. She has influenced so much of my life that it took me awhile to write about her. I wasn't sure I could express all the feelings but finally, my desire to thank her overcame my doubt. (Chicken Soup for the Christian Teen's Soul)

Q: I have a friend who always does one better then me without even trying.
How did you handle that? (My Big Solo)
A: When I realized that Renee was not competing with me, in fact thought of us as friends with the same interests, I began to enjoy her company. It is a fact of life that some people are better than us at some things and that we should still enjoy the person and the activity. (Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul)

Q: Do you know if Jenny and her brother were ever together again?
It's sad that he had a family and she didn't. (Understanding Jenny)
A: Jenny stayed with the Timmer's until the end of the school year. I don't know if she ever had a new family but I do know that her mother came to visit her a few times and they were hoping to be together again. Jenny's step-father did come and pick Jenny up about once a month so she could be with her brother. (Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul IV)

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