Q: How long did it take you to become a famous author and how did you know you were famous? (Ally B, Sophia, Amanda, Nick, & Marquetta)

A: You just told me! Now I know I'm famous. Thank you very much. That's lovely of you. Mostly, fiction writers try to avoid being known. We like to be observers, to collect experiences and watch people. When you're easily recognizable, that's difficult. Besides, it's fun to be a mouse in the corner and watch what the world is up to. I've been writing books about 20 years, so I guess that's how long it's taken me.

Q: How does it feel to be a famous author? (Shawya, Ryan, Andy, Ryan, & Sammie)

A: That's an interesting question. I'm fortunate, because I love my work. The "famous" part is a bit embarrassing. In fact, I'm just like you, only older, with a lot more bills to pay and less time to play outside.

Q: How long does it take to finish a novel? (Xavier, Sam, Amanda, Julia, & Isiah)

A: For me, every novel is different. (I'm impressed you used the word 'novel.') Some can take me four years or more. I'm getting faster though. I'm expecting to research and write the one I'm working on in a year.

Q: How many hours a day do you work on your books? (Julie)

A: I'll bet you're good a math. Here's my schedule: I usually get up around 6:30 a.m. and go right to work for an hour. Then I eat breakfast and exercise and do a bit of reading. I'm back at my desk around 9:00 a.m. I eat lunch at my desk and work straight through until about 6:00 p.m. That's when I break to cook dinner. My husband and I look forward to our dinners, because that's the time we tell each other what our day's been like, and then he does the dishes. Since we're both writers, we have pretty much the same schedule. I'm working on a book right now, which means I return to writing after dinner for another two hours. Then bed and more reading. How many hours do you figure that is? Oh, by the way, we work weekends, too.

Q: Where do you come up with all the ideas for your novels and how much information do you need to gather? (Sam, Julia, Samantha, Erin, Allan, Dina, Sarah, Becca, Spencer, & Richard)

A: Ah, ha! A writerly question. My ideas come from all around me. My books are often based on events and trends I see happening in society. For instance, Mesmerized started because, outside Moscow, the largest population of former Soviet spies lives in the Washington, D.C. area. I found that fascinating. What are all those spies doing now? Then I got interested in international law, because my son, Paul, has become an international lawyer, practicing in Washington. And finally, my daughter, Julia, sent me a clipping about how some people who have heart transplants claim to receive ideas and even memories from their donors. So I thought about all of this a long time and did quite a bit of research. The result is a suspense novel — a real adventure — about a former FBI spy (Jeff) and an international attorney (Beth) who get caught up investigating some former Soviet spies.

Q: When you were growing up, what did you want to be when you got older and when did you decide you wanted to write? (Ashley, Derek, Krista, & Monica)

A: I wanted to be a book. I know that sounds silly, but that's the truth. And if I couldn't be a book, then I wanted to live in a library, which seemed an impossible dream, too. All of this came about because I never met a writer when I was growing up, so I had no idea a kid from a little town in Iowa could aspire to such lofty heights. In fact, to show my utter ignorance, I thought only dead people wrote books. After I got a bit more sophisticated, I began to think only gods and goddesses did. Finally, as I approached adulthood, it occurred to me that books came from real people, and if I had enough talent and worked hard enough, maybe I could do it, too. So instead of being a book, I write them. I'm glad I finally figured it out.

Q: I started reading two of your books on the Internet. I really liked the one about Liz Sansborough. Mosaic was also good. How do you make each of your books different from each other, and yet, they’re still in the same genre? (Lizz)

A: Thank you, Lizz for reading the chapters and your kind words. The way in which my books are alike is simply in the adventure. I write about national secrets, spies, and good people trying to make a better world. They have to figure out how to do this against great odds, but in the end they triumph.

That's the way my books are alike. After that, it's always different characters with different sets of problems often taking place in different parts of the world. I love adventure stories and perhaps you do, too.

A: I like the word "inspired." What a great choice. Well, the truth is, I don't think I had many options. It's the one kind of work that really makes me happy. For me, writing is almost like a calling, or perhaps a visitation. In any case, those of us who write and publish books have to be very dedicated and truly love it because it's also very hard work.

Q: Why do you like to write books about spying? (Carissa, & Jessica)

A: That's another terrific question. Have you noticed that all families have secrets? Think about the unsaid things in your family and see how they impact everyone. The world is like that. All governments have secrets --- some good, some bad --- and those secrets are important not only for what they are but for the way they affect people. That's what spying is all about ... finding out secrets. Bob Gates, a former director of Central Intelligence, once said, "When a spy smells flowers, he looks around for a coffin." It's all about secrets.

Q: Has reading always been your hobby? (Jessica)

A: You're right on target, Jessica. Reading is my passion. However, you might like to know that I had a very hard time learning to read. I loved books so much that I memorized them, but actually being able to read and spell were hard. In those days, there was no diagnosis for "learning disorders" or "ADD" --- attention deficit disorder. I was probably an ADD kid. Interesting, isn't it, that I'd grow up to be a writer despite that.

Q: What is your favorite book and why? (Jordan, Patrick)

A: That's a tough question. The truth is, I have no favorite books anymore except my own, and the one I love most is always the book I'm working on. It's such an adventure into the unknown. Where exactly is the story going? Will I be able to pull it off? What will tomorrow bring? It's all so much fun!

Q: How many books have you written and how many more do you want to write? (Bryan, Khiry, A.J., Ariane, & Matt)

A: You four are looking into the future. Good for you. I can't imagine not writing. So I expect to keep at it until my brain fries and my fingers atrophy on the keyboard. I've written about 15 books, and I'm just beginning because there are so many interesting stories to tell.

Q: I love reading books and I want to know if it is hard to write books. (Chelsea)

A: Dear Chelsea ... I'm so glad to meet a fellow writer. Yes, it's very hard work. But for those of us who love it, there's nothing better. Even when it's the most difficult, it's very satisfying and enjoyable. So much so that we simply can't give it up. May you write many wonderful books! Gayle

Q: What do you like most about writing books? (Marqus, & Brittany)

A: That's a big question. I like everything ... the whole process. I like thinking them up. Researching. Planning. Writing. And especially, I LOVE finishing. Oh, what a terrific feeling that is to type The End and complete another journey into the unknown.

Q: Do you like to travel and did you actually travel to Paris to write your book? (Mandy, Robin, & Tyteasa)

A: Yes, I went to Paris twice, which is a good thing, because the book I'm working on now also takes place in Paris. Everyone should go to Paris at least once in their lives, and I hope all three of you do, too ... and often.

Q: Did you ever want to be an FBI agent? (Shawn)

A: Not particularly. Strange answer, isn't it, Shawn, for a very good question. I like to write about spies and agents and assets and handlers and station chiefs, but I have no real desire to be one as long as I can write books.

Q: Do you write any books for 6th graders? (Shane & Amanda)

A: Yes, thank you for asking. I wrote three books in the Three Investigators series that were published in the late 1980s. Unfortunately, they're mostly out of print, although your library may have them. You can look on my website to see the titles.

Q: Your spy trivia is cool, if you have anymore, please post it on the website. (Andrew)

A: Good advice, Andrew. I like it, too. That's why I put a fair amount of it in my books. I'll remember your suggestion for the website.

Q: How long does it take to make a website? (Brenan)

A: Now that's a question for my webmeister, the very talented Brandon Erikson, who has created marvelous websites for both me and my husband as well as other people. All I do is give him information ... it usually takes several days to collect it ... and then he gets creative, figuring out arrangement, colors, typefaces, graphics, overall themes, etc., and he writes a fair amount of it, too Since you've brought this up, Brenan, maybe you could invite Brandon to talk to all of you about how he does it. He's the best.

Thank you everyone for such wonderful questions. I wish you all many years of reading happiness.

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