Q. Where were you born & raised?
A. I was born in Connecticut and lived there my whole childhood and into college years. After that, I lived many different places and finally settled in Minnesota with my husband and two sons.

Q. What was your family like?
A. I am the middle sister of three, and although we each had our own interests, we played together and got into scrapes together. I distinctly remember us venturing into a wetland near our home (despite being strictly forbidden to do so) and coming home with sneakers full of mud. My parents really believed in books and education, so we all worked pretty hard in school.

Q. What were you like as a child?
A. I loved being outside. I loved my friends. I loved writing and drawing and reading and singing and play-acting. I loved school and most of my teachers, although I sometimes talked too much and got sent out in the hall. I loved candy, and would carefully plan clandestine bike rides to the drugstore to buy it.

Q. How did you start writing?
A. Words came into my head, and I wrote them down. This began in elementary school. Later, I kept journals (still have most of 'em). From early on, I felt compelled to write. I think a lot of writers are like this. Writing helps us understand the world; we'd be lost without it. I got interested in writing for children after I had my two sons and read them wonderful books every day.

Q. Where do you get your ideas?
A. I really need "pondering time." Time alone, without noise and distraction. This is when ideas come--when things sort themselves out, when I see visions and solutions. Not just for writing, but for life. My pondering time happens during walks in the woods. The natural world sustains and inspires me. I could never live in a city for long.

Q. Why do you write poetry?
A. I discovered poetry in high school, encouraged by a sympathetic teacher. Poetry is so vivid and sleek--like a race car. No extra words. I love using image and metaphor; it's such a powerful way of explaining your thoughts and feelings (as in poetry = race car). Poetry comes naturally to me. Storytelling is not so easy, but I’m working on it. I feel incredibly lucky to be doing what I always dreamed of: creating books.

Q. What do you like to do when you're not writing?
A. I like to teach poetry-writing in schools. I also like to dig in the dirt and eat chocolate (not usually at the same time, though it has happened). I love walking: anywhere, anytime—and often with friends. I love poking around outside, taking photographs, identifying birds, insects, and frogs. And on inside days, I like to read and snuggle with my dog.