Q: How many books have you written?

A: The number is always changing, because I write several new books every year, but at the moment I think I’ve written 11 novels and about 30 picturebooks.

Q: What is your favorite book of the ones you’ve written?

A: I don’t really have a favorite. I like them all for different reasons.

Q: Where do you live?

A: I live and work in a small apartment in a tall building on the Upper West side of New York City.

Q: Where were you born?

A: I was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?

A: Yes, I have a sister Jane, who is a doctor, and a brother, Tom who is a lawyer.

Q: Do you write every day?

A: Pretty much. Although if I don’t feel like writing I usually don’t.

Q: How long does it take you to write a book?

A: That depends on the book. Some picturebook ideas come quickly and I can just zip them out, other things, like songs or novels take much more time. The longest I’ve ever spent writing a book is 4 years. That book was So B. It.

Q: Do you work on one book at a time?

A: No. I usually have a couple of projects going. That way, when I’m out of ideas or energy for one thing, I can turn to another and get juiced up again.

Q: Do you like being an author?

A: Yes!

Q: Did you always want to be an author?

A: I always liked writing, but when I was little I wanted to be a teacher, a nurse, or somebody who worked at the Dairy Queen.

Q: What’s the hardest thing about being an author?

A: Rewriting.

Q: What’s the most fun thing about being an author?

A: When I see kids reading my books.

Q: Do you have kids?

A: Yes. I have two teenage sons.

Q: If I write to you, will you write me back?

A: Absolutely!

Q: Promise?

A: Promise.