Q: How do you deal with rejection? J: I consider any questions or statements the editor may have made in the rejection. If their rejection makes no sense, I/we send it on. Honestly, about twenty of the books I have most recently sold have been turned down by from one-to-ten or other editors for different reasons. …

Q: What do you do when you are working on a book and then someone else publishes a book on the same subject? J: One of three things:  1: work harder to find a different angle and then pursue that.  2. Wait a few years and go back to it because time changes everything. 3. Write …

Q: What do you HAVE TO have on the desk with you when you’re writing?   J: Pens, pieces of unmarked paper, laptop, dictionary close by, any research material I am currently using, a box of tissues. And a piece of dark chocolate. Only the laptop and the chocolate are absolutely necessary.  The rest I can …

Q: How do you know if your story should rhyme? J: Try it. If it turns out bad, silly, or ugly, or if you have only  a limited ability with good, interesting– even startling–rhymes, do not try it. And always…ALWAYS…get someone else to read it aloud to you, and you will know in a moment whether it …

Q:  If you weren’t a writer, what would you want to be?   J: A ballerina, (I studied at Balanchine’s School of American ballet (from ages 7-14) but they have the half-life of a writer. And if you dance in toe shoes, your toes bleed. A teacher (but then I already teach writing and have taught …

Q: What do you think is the best line you’ve ever written? J: “Under a shining Owl Moon.”   Follow up Q: How did that line happen?  And, why do you think it works so well? J: I can’t remember any big struggle with that last line. My big struggle in the book–a 20 year struggle by …

Q: What is the best piece of advice anyone else ever gave you?    How did it help you?   J:  My agent Marilyn Marlow told me: “if she turns it down, we’ll send it elsewhere…” Also when I asked her if I should write some of the books under a pseudonym,” and she said….”Too late!”  …

Q: How do you feel about reviews?   J: DEPENDS ON THE REVIEWS!!!!  One is always looking for a “money review,” ie. one the publisher can use to help sell the book. But even bad or slightly “meh” reviews often have a quotable liner or two. As an ex-reviewer myself, I understand that a review can …

Q: What do you love most when you’re writing about each of the different genres of children’s books?   J: That’s a tough question, but first let me tell you what I love about all of them: that first burst of an idea, the first words I put down. Of course, then there is a long …

Q:  Sometimes you write only poetry for a while and not any prose. Or the other way around. Is there a reason for this?   J:  I cannot explain how sometimes I am in poetry mode, sometimes prose. It is one of those deep mysteries of my writing life. It has nothing to do with weather….but …