As you know, those who are in children’s literature tend to have lengthy discussions on the important topic of snacks (usually a baked good). What’s your favorite snack?
Coffee is my favorite snack.
Attendees are often nervous to meet you at a conference. What, if anything, makes you nervous about being part of the faculty?
Just remember that like a snake startled in the woods, I am probably more afraid of you than you are of me. Seriously, I am much more shy than I appear.
What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?
My favorite parts about being a professional novelist are (1) that I get to make up stories for a living and (2) that I get to meet and hang out with other writers. There is nothing I like better than talking about stories and craft with other novelists. The thing I like least is the uncertainty over whether people will like the new story, the new thing. I think there’s an expectation that that goes away, but it never does. I still worry and fret and hope as much — or more — than I did at the start of my career.