Interview:

Did you always know you were going to be a writer?

No. I didn’t start writing until I was forty years old. But I’ve always had a great imagination, and I was an artist in other ways. The drawing of the mask you see to the right (or below) was a mask made to honor Sargon the Great, the king of the Akkadian Empire, but equally famous today as the father of Princess Enheduanna, the first female author known by name in world history. Ironically, I drew this long before I knew I would become an author.

What’s your favorite part about being a writer?

I want to help children who feel lost, alone, or angry. I hope my book will help them feel seen, safe, and unshakably strong.

On a more personal note, being home with my golden retrievers, enjoying my coffee, and listening to music isn't bad either.

What books have you read that were impactful?

Oh, I love this question. There are so many. This is another two-part answer, though: stories I’ve read and books that have either taught me writing techniques or different ways of thinking.

For books I’ve read, I just loved George Selden’s A Cricket in Times Square. What a delightful and fun story. It was the first book I read after deciding to be an author. Kate DiCamillo’s Flora & Ulysses, as well as her beautiful novels, Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux, were so much fun to read. Other favorites include: Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls; Gennifer Choldenko’s, The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, and Al Capone Does My Shirts.‍ ‍

For writing-technique books, at the top of the list is Immersion and Emotion: The Two Pillars of Story telling by Michelle Barker & David Griffin Brown. If you are a writer, this is a must-read. Others include: Jennie Nash‘s Blueprint for a Book: Build Your Novel from the Inside Out; K.M. Weiland’s Creating Character Arcs; and Writing Vivid Settings, written by Rayne Hall. Finally, Writing for Emotional Impact: Advanced Dramatic Techniques to Attract, Engage, and Fascinate the Reader from Beginning to End, written by Karl Iglesias.

A special thank you to Savannah Gilbo. Her podcast was an invaluable resource throughout the development of The Aisle of Indifference and helped shape my growth as a writer.

Favorite authors for personal interest include Dr. Wayne Dyer, Louis Hay, and Deepak Chopra.

What do you like to do for fun?

My favorite? Put on a crazy hat, my headphones, and ski down a mountain of snow with my hubby, taking it all in. Shortly after that, take the headphones off and do a 360-degree spin on the slope! Yes! I also love to read, write, draw, and cook! I love going to shows, movies, and concerts at the oldest continuously operating movie theatre in the United States with my precious husband of twenty years. Of course, spending time with our friends and rescue pups is priceless.

What do you think is one of the most important things in life?

Gratitude.

And finally, I have to ask, why Moody Noodles? Where did that come from?

When I wrote The Aisle of Indifference, my hope was to help children who feel lost, alone, angry, or overwhelmed know that they are not alone. I wanted to create something that could continue the conversation long after the final page was turned—a place where children could explore their feelings, learn about emotions, smile, and feel understood.

That's how Moody Noodles was born.

Each Moody Noodle represents a different emotion, reminding children that feelings are not flaws. They are part of being human. Whether a child is feeling sad, angry, worried, joyful, calm, or somewhere in between, I want them to know they are seen, safe, and that they matter.

If The Aisle of Indifference helps children find the door, I hope Moody Noodles gives them a place to stay awhile. 💙