How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport? My son is sixteen and I have lived in Westport since 2006.
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? I wrote my first book Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still after taking classes with Victoria Sherrow at a local writer’s workshop. Continuing to work on manuscripts in classes and critique groups, I published a few more and today I’m waiting for my fifth book to hit the shelves on August 27. I didn’t know anything about soccer before writing Mia and Friends. But I was drawn to the story of the ‘99ers friendship so I dug in and did my research. I think the book has a lot of details for soccer kids but, at its core, it’s a story about how one shy girl found her friends and how that group went on to change sports’ history.
What is the best show you have recently (binge) watched? AND/OR what is the last book you read? I read a lot of books for research but sadly not as many for fun. Recently I did read and enjoy Elizabeth Hand’s A Haunting on the Hill—a return to Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House. From 1949-1952, Shirley Jackson lived on Indian Hill Road in Westport. In 1959 The Haunting of Hill House was published. I have two questions there: was the Westport house the inspiration for the book?; if so, will Shonda Rhimes PLEASE write a series about that? We would all binge watch that show!
What are two things still on your bucket list? To write a novel and to travel to New Zealand. Maybe I should multi-task and make it “write a novel in New Zealand.”
What is your favorite podcast? Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
What is one food you could not live without? Cheese…although I’m sure my doctor would disagree.
What’s a cause or purpose you deeply believe in? Women’s reproductive rights.
What is your favorite family tradition? On vacations, we buy Christmas ornaments as souvenirs so every December our tree reflects all of our travels.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? Like many authors, I would love to own a bookstore. But that is a tough business! So instead, I’m a BookShop affiliate. I’ve read hundreds of picture-book biographies and have curated lists by interests. Do you know kids who love sports, space, or singing? Animals, art, or activism? Food or fashion? I have book recommendations for them at my True Story Bookshop.
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what might your career path have been? I would be happy being any kind of storyteller—an illustrator, a songwriter, a filmmaker. Obviously I’d have to go back in time and acquire those skills.
Are you a morning person, or a night owl? How does sleep fit into your life? Probably like most parents, I was forced into be a morning person. I love a catnap if I can sneak one in!
What thing has surprised you most about being in the suburbs? In addition to Compo Beach, Longshore, and the Levitt Pavillion, Westport is packed with community gems! My son participated in Toquet Hall’s film festival, my mother-in-law took classes at the Senior Center, and my husband loves being a member of the Westport Community Garden. Most mornings you can find me sweating it out at the Westport Y where my son learned to swim and ran around Camp Mahackeno. At least once a week I visit the Westport Library—a treasure trove of services, programs, events, and, of course, books. It’s no wonder that it’s been voted one of the best libraries in the country.
What is the first thing you do when you walk in the door after a long day? Have a glass of wine with my husband.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction? Who are your heroes in real life? As a kid, my TV hero was the Bionic Woman and my book hero was Jo March in Little Women. But these days, I admire the women I’ve known throughout my life—from my highschool friends to my fellow frazzled moms. Seeing how these women fight their way through life’s challenges reminds me how strong we really are.
QUICK THIS OR THAT:
At a movie: Candy or Popcorn? Candy—in chocolate form!
Cook or order in? Order in.
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee? Hot
Beach or Mountains? Beach
Glass Half Full or Half Empty? Half ‘n half.
Sauce on the Side or Sauce on Top? Side
Crunchy or Smooth Peanut Butter? Crunchy
Guacamole or Salsa? Guac
Attend a Party or Host a Party? Attend
Call a friend or text a friend? Text
Vacation or staycation? Vacation
Before bed: Social media or book/TV? TV
Watch or play sports? Watch although I do play Parks and Rec tennis.
Stay in or go out? Depends on the season: I’m a homebody in the winter; when the temps go up, I’m ready to go out.
Comedy or Drama? Comedy.