DONNA GEPHART -- Q & A
Q: I love your books.
A: That's not a question, but THANKS!
Q: Will there be a sequel to AS IF BEING 12 3/4 ISN'T BAD ENOUGH, MY MOTHER IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT?
A: That's up to my publisher. I'm sure it we sold a bazillion copies, they would ask me to write a sequel.
Q: How many is a bazillion?
A: More that 3/4, but less than a megabazillion. (I made this up. Can you tell I'm better at writing than math? But I'm good at math, too.)
Q: Why did you decide to write HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL?
A: Middle school (also called Junior High in some places) was very hard for me . . . and for our sons . . . and for most people. When I was about thirteen and fourteen, I went from feeling deliriously happy to miserably depressed often in the same day . . . even in the same hour! I wish someone had explained that it was just my hormones going a little crazy and they would calm down again. I wish someone told me that I didn't really "hate" my mother, but it was a normal part of adolescence to push away from her. I wish someone had told me I'd survive the acne, the braces and the crush on a cute guy who didn't like me. I want young people to know they are not the only ones having a hard time. I also want young people to know that they can get through middle school. So hang in there. It gets better. Much better.
Q: Did you have a hamster, like in HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL?
A: Nope. My mom wasn't into pets when I was growing up. We had a kitten once, but Snowflake ran away, and we never found out what happened to her.
Q: Do you have pets now?
A: You betcha! We have an 18-year-old cat, Jasmine. We spoil her and she thanks us by crying and waking us up at night. We had another cat named Fred and a dog named Lady, but they died. It was super sad, but we adopted two other dogs from a shelter -- Teddy and Benji. Benji is a puppy and thinks the sofa is a giant chew toy. What pets do you have or wish you could have?
Q: How many children do you have?
A: Fewer than a bazillion, thank goodness! We have two terrific sons.
Q: What is your writing schedule like?
A: I usually write while our boys are in school, unless I have a pressing deadline. When I'm on deadline, I work nights and weekends, too. I spend lots of time thinking because thinking is the most important part of writing. I also spend lots of time revising -- taking what I've written and making sure it's clear and interesting. Published books aren't written, they're rewritten. Many, many, many times.
Q: Do you like to read?
A: I love to read! I spend a lot of time in the library and in bookstores. I love visiting independent bookstores. I have piles of books all over my house and books on CD in my car. Isn't it fun listening to stories, caring about the characters and wondering how it's going to turn out? I enjoy reading non-fiction, too, and learning about new and fascinating things. What do you enjoy reading?
Q: Where do you live?
A: Right here. (Also known as South Florida.)
Q: What do you like to do when you're not reading and writing?
A: I like to avoid alligators, hurricanes and fire ants.
Q: What do you like to not avoid?
A: I enjoy traveling and meeting new people. I'm a big fan of getting outside and enjoying nature, whether that means a hike in the woods or kayaking or strolling along the beach. I also enjoy riding my bike, taking long walks, lifting weights and playing tennis. And I'm always up for a game or twelve of Scrabble.
Q: What things are most important to you?
A: 1. Family and friends -- LOVE!
2. Good health -- that's why I exercise, eat well, sleep as much as I need and spend time with people who make me feel good.
3. Being kind -- to each other, to animals and to our planet.
4. Lifelong Learning -- that's why I read a lot, travel and listen to a lot of different kinds of people.
5. Creativity -- that's why I enjoy writing and cooking and seeing live performances of all kinds.
6. Trying to understand myself and others -- because this leads to acceptance and peace instead of fear and cruelty. Reading is a great way to better understand myself and others.
7. Volunteering -- it's the rent we pay for living on this amazing planet of ours.
8. Being a vegetarian -- good for me, good for the environment and good for the ANIMALS!
9. Daydreaming -- it's essential to imagine the good things we want to happen in our lives.
10. LAUGHTER!
Q: When were you born?
A: Sometime after dinosaurs roamed the earth . . . but not long after. July 5, 1965, actually.
Q: How can I become a writer?
A: Write.
Longer A: If you love to read and write, do both. Often. Eventually, when you've been working at it for a long time, you might publish your writing. There are many ways to share your writing now -- write cards for your friends, create a newsletter for relatives who don't live nearby, pen poems to keep for yourself to read when you're older, join the school magazine or start one, enter writing contests, etc. Have fun!
Q: I'm an adult and want to write for children. Any suggestions?
A: Join S.C.B.W.I. It's a wonderful international community that provides support, information, grants and much more. You might also want to join a critique group in your area (or start one). Conferences are usually informative and inspiring, too. There are several good books and magazines about writing as well.
Q: Can I send you something I wrote . . . or my homework questions . . . or my dirty laundry?
A: Nope.
Q: I can't think of any more questions.
A: That's not a question. But if you do think of any more questions, feel free to get in touch through my contact page. Thanks!
A: That's not a question, but THANKS!
Q: Will there be a sequel to AS IF BEING 12 3/4 ISN'T BAD ENOUGH, MY MOTHER IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT?
A: That's up to my publisher. I'm sure it we sold a bazillion copies, they would ask me to write a sequel.
Q: How many is a bazillion?
A: More that 3/4, but less than a megabazillion. (I made this up. Can you tell I'm better at writing than math? But I'm good at math, too.)
Q: Why did you decide to write HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL?
A: Middle school (also called Junior High in some places) was very hard for me . . . and for our sons . . . and for most people. When I was about thirteen and fourteen, I went from feeling deliriously happy to miserably depressed often in the same day . . . even in the same hour! I wish someone had explained that it was just my hormones going a little crazy and they would calm down again. I wish someone told me that I didn't really "hate" my mother, but it was a normal part of adolescence to push away from her. I wish someone had told me I'd survive the acne, the braces and the crush on a cute guy who didn't like me. I want young people to know they are not the only ones having a hard time. I also want young people to know that they can get through middle school. So hang in there. It gets better. Much better.
Q: Did you have a hamster, like in HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL?
A: Nope. My mom wasn't into pets when I was growing up. We had a kitten once, but Snowflake ran away, and we never found out what happened to her.
Q: Do you have pets now?
A: You betcha! We have an 18-year-old cat, Jasmine. We spoil her and she thanks us by crying and waking us up at night. We had another cat named Fred and a dog named Lady, but they died. It was super sad, but we adopted two other dogs from a shelter -- Teddy and Benji. Benji is a puppy and thinks the sofa is a giant chew toy. What pets do you have or wish you could have?
Q: How many children do you have?
A: Fewer than a bazillion, thank goodness! We have two terrific sons.
Q: What is your writing schedule like?
A: I usually write while our boys are in school, unless I have a pressing deadline. When I'm on deadline, I work nights and weekends, too. I spend lots of time thinking because thinking is the most important part of writing. I also spend lots of time revising -- taking what I've written and making sure it's clear and interesting. Published books aren't written, they're rewritten. Many, many, many times.
Q: Do you like to read?
A: I love to read! I spend a lot of time in the library and in bookstores. I love visiting independent bookstores. I have piles of books all over my house and books on CD in my car. Isn't it fun listening to stories, caring about the characters and wondering how it's going to turn out? I enjoy reading non-fiction, too, and learning about new and fascinating things. What do you enjoy reading?
Q: Where do you live?
A: Right here. (Also known as South Florida.)
Q: What do you like to do when you're not reading and writing?
A: I like to avoid alligators, hurricanes and fire ants.
Q: What do you like to not avoid?
A: I enjoy traveling and meeting new people. I'm a big fan of getting outside and enjoying nature, whether that means a hike in the woods or kayaking or strolling along the beach. I also enjoy riding my bike, taking long walks, lifting weights and playing tennis. And I'm always up for a game or twelve of Scrabble.
Q: What things are most important to you?
A: 1. Family and friends -- LOVE!
2. Good health -- that's why I exercise, eat well, sleep as much as I need and spend time with people who make me feel good.
3. Being kind -- to each other, to animals and to our planet.
4. Lifelong Learning -- that's why I read a lot, travel and listen to a lot of different kinds of people.
5. Creativity -- that's why I enjoy writing and cooking and seeing live performances of all kinds.
6. Trying to understand myself and others -- because this leads to acceptance and peace instead of fear and cruelty. Reading is a great way to better understand myself and others.
7. Volunteering -- it's the rent we pay for living on this amazing planet of ours.
8. Being a vegetarian -- good for me, good for the environment and good for the ANIMALS!
9. Daydreaming -- it's essential to imagine the good things we want to happen in our lives.
10. LAUGHTER!
Q: When were you born?
A: Sometime after dinosaurs roamed the earth . . . but not long after. July 5, 1965, actually.
Q: How can I become a writer?
A: Write.
Longer A: If you love to read and write, do both. Often. Eventually, when you've been working at it for a long time, you might publish your writing. There are many ways to share your writing now -- write cards for your friends, create a newsletter for relatives who don't live nearby, pen poems to keep for yourself to read when you're older, join the school magazine or start one, enter writing contests, etc. Have fun!
Q: I'm an adult and want to write for children. Any suggestions?
A: Join S.C.B.W.I. It's a wonderful international community that provides support, information, grants and much more. You might also want to join a critique group in your area (or start one). Conferences are usually informative and inspiring, too. There are several good books and magazines about writing as well.
Q: Can I send you something I wrote . . . or my homework questions . . . or my dirty laundry?
A: Nope.
Q: I can't think of any more questions.
A: That's not a question. But if you do think of any more questions, feel free to get in touch through my contact page. Thanks!
