AUTHOR Q&A
What makes you tick?
Coffee, coffee with milk and sugar. Drink your milk children!
How many books have you written?
I have completed four of the five Binding of the Almatraek books, I contributed to a book along with other authors, and I am currently writing another novel outside my series. Aside from these, I have written and illustrated four children’s picture books, and a musical (for which I composed all of the music).
How old are you?
Old enough to know better. Seriously though, I was born in May of 1977, you can figure it out by doing the math.
What type of books do you like to write?
I actually enjoy writing all types of books, even poetry. I have always loved the medieval/renaissance era, and the idea of magic, so I decided to make my book series in the medieval fantasy genre. I also like to write children's storybooks about almost anything. Being a teacher, I like to make my books educational, and usually include activities at the back that can be done with children at home or in a classroom. The piece I'm currently writing is very dark compared to my past books, so writing it feels kind of like taking a vacation since it is so different from my usual work. I would like to get better at cartooning, so I could try my hand at making a comic book.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Ontario, Canada, and now I live on the beautiful island of Newfoundland. I am a fifth generation Canadian. Before that, my background is Irish, Scottish, British, and French. I am also Jewish.
How many books are you going to make?
As many as possible. I suppose I will keep writing until I run out of words. For those that know me well, they could probably tell you that that might never happen...ever.
What are your Favourites?
Favourite food: Honestly, I like all food except liver. I keep trying it though, in case someone one day finds a way to make it in a way that I might enjoy it. I love things like sushi, steak, pasta, Chinese food, and I like trying other foods from around the world. My favourite dessert is hot apple crumble or with vanilla ice cream on top.
Favourite Movie: The Princess Bride would have to be my all-time favourite. I also loved Ever After, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Cabin in the Woods.
Favourite animal: Dragons
Favourite colours: Blue and Turquoise
Favourite Author: For adult books: anything by Stephen King. I think he’s brilliant. Also Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. For middle school/teens: Tamora Pierce, Jonathan Straud's Bartimaeus Sequence series, or Jane Yolen's Pit Dragon series. For kids’ books, Robert Munsch and Mercer Meyer.
Favourite show: Anything Joss Whedon touches is gold. I LOVED Firefly. I also enjoy any web series starring Felicia Day like The Guild, or Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog. I also loved Game of Thrones and Sparticus. I am a HUGE Whovian (Doctor Who). I like shows that make me think or have a twist, like Leverage or Lie to Me. On a side note, we actually don’t have cable or satellite at my house, my home is like a library with hundreds of books.
Favourite Song: I love all music from classical to punk. I am a big Beatles fan. My favourite slow songs are Lightning Crashes, and Bittersweet Symphony. Two of my favourite faster songs would be Glee's version of Forget You, featuring Gwyneth Paltrow, and Foster the People’s Pumped up Kicks. For some reason, they always make me dance. I'm also a big fan of Mariana's Trench, and Reel Big Fish. I also really love swing music. Sing Sing Sing by Benny Goodman is my all-time favourite.
Favourite Sport: I grew up as a tom-boy playing every sport from figure skating to tennis, and I loved them all. I was a baseball player for about 14 years, and was on my high school team. I still love playing sports and martial arts. I love to go and cheer at any event, but the best is hockey, which I used to coach. Although it isn't strictly a sport, I was also a dancer for 26 years. My favourite is swing dancing, which gives you a workout just like playing sports, and can make you feel like you're flying.
Coffee, coffee with milk and sugar. Drink your milk children!
How many books have you written?
I have completed four of the five Binding of the Almatraek books, I contributed to a book along with other authors, and I am currently writing another novel outside my series. Aside from these, I have written and illustrated four children’s picture books, and a musical (for which I composed all of the music).
How old are you?
Old enough to know better. Seriously though, I was born in May of 1977, you can figure it out by doing the math.
What type of books do you like to write?
I actually enjoy writing all types of books, even poetry. I have always loved the medieval/renaissance era, and the idea of magic, so I decided to make my book series in the medieval fantasy genre. I also like to write children's storybooks about almost anything. Being a teacher, I like to make my books educational, and usually include activities at the back that can be done with children at home or in a classroom. The piece I'm currently writing is very dark compared to my past books, so writing it feels kind of like taking a vacation since it is so different from my usual work. I would like to get better at cartooning, so I could try my hand at making a comic book.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Ontario, Canada, and now I live on the beautiful island of Newfoundland. I am a fifth generation Canadian. Before that, my background is Irish, Scottish, British, and French. I am also Jewish.
How many books are you going to make?
As many as possible. I suppose I will keep writing until I run out of words. For those that know me well, they could probably tell you that that might never happen...ever.
What are your Favourites?
Favourite food: Honestly, I like all food except liver. I keep trying it though, in case someone one day finds a way to make it in a way that I might enjoy it. I love things like sushi, steak, pasta, Chinese food, and I like trying other foods from around the world. My favourite dessert is hot apple crumble or with vanilla ice cream on top.
Favourite Movie: The Princess Bride would have to be my all-time favourite. I also loved Ever After, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Cabin in the Woods.
Favourite animal: Dragons
Favourite colours: Blue and Turquoise
Favourite Author: For adult books: anything by Stephen King. I think he’s brilliant. Also Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. For middle school/teens: Tamora Pierce, Jonathan Straud's Bartimaeus Sequence series, or Jane Yolen's Pit Dragon series. For kids’ books, Robert Munsch and Mercer Meyer.
Favourite show: Anything Joss Whedon touches is gold. I LOVED Firefly. I also enjoy any web series starring Felicia Day like The Guild, or Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog. I also loved Game of Thrones and Sparticus. I am a HUGE Whovian (Doctor Who). I like shows that make me think or have a twist, like Leverage or Lie to Me. On a side note, we actually don’t have cable or satellite at my house, my home is like a library with hundreds of books.
Favourite Song: I love all music from classical to punk. I am a big Beatles fan. My favourite slow songs are Lightning Crashes, and Bittersweet Symphony. Two of my favourite faster songs would be Glee's version of Forget You, featuring Gwyneth Paltrow, and Foster the People’s Pumped up Kicks. For some reason, they always make me dance. I'm also a big fan of Mariana's Trench, and Reel Big Fish. I also really love swing music. Sing Sing Sing by Benny Goodman is my all-time favourite.
Favourite Sport: I grew up as a tom-boy playing every sport from figure skating to tennis, and I loved them all. I was a baseball player for about 14 years, and was on my high school team. I still love playing sports and martial arts. I love to go and cheer at any event, but the best is hockey, which I used to coach. Although it isn't strictly a sport, I was also a dancer for 26 years. My favourite is swing dancing, which gives you a workout just like playing sports, and can make you feel like you're flying.
