Novels by British writers are among my favorites because our family has enjoyed travel in England and because they are written with an economy of words as if they were written with a pen instead of a computer. Penelope Fitzgerald is a favorite.

Writers are good at plucking out what they need here and there.

I particularly enjoy cello music because our daughter plays the cello. I have listened to her practice for so many hours that I am familiar with the music written for that instrument. I am also fond of the popular music of the 1930s because my future husband and I danced to it so many Saturday nights when we were in college.

Of all the novels I've written, my favorite is 'Mick Harte Was Here'.

I hope children will be happy with the books I've written, and go on to be readers all of their lives.

I like to read, walk, cook, and travel to cities. We live in the country, so we miss museums and the bustle of city life.