A Few Questions for Heather

As a kid I spent all of my free time running and jumping and playing sports—not writing stories. I never thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up. . . until fourth grade. That's when I read Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh, and I decided to be a spy. Unfortunately, I was shy and not much of a risk taker. Still, that didn't stop me from wanting to be bold and clever like Harriet. To prepare, I read every Nancy Drew book. I kept a top secret diary. I spied on my twin brother.

Well, I never did get that job with the FBI or the CIA, but I did find a job where I can use my detective skills every day: researching and writing childrens books. I have a notebook that I keep with me at all times to write down clues, discoveries, and observations. Whether I'm digging for information on a person who lived in another century or trying to experience what I write about, there's always fun and interesting research to do. Every book is a treasure hunt!

What were you like as a child?
I was shy, and I loved sports. For some reason my shyness never carried over to sports, and perhaps that's one reason I loved them so much. I took risks and chances in sports that I didn't take in other parts of my life. I played volleyball, softball, tennis, and just about any sport—except gymnastics. The only thing I could do was a headstand. 

As an adult I've realized there are some advantages to being shy. Shy people tend to absorb a lot more. They listen and watch carefully, processing the world differently. And those are great skills to have if you want to be a good writer. I’ve also learned to be brave and try things that are hard. My journey to become an author has been a lesson in developing grit.

Do you have any pets?
I have two very cute, cuddly dogs named Vivi and Obi. They like to curl up next to me when I write. And Vivi loves to do tricks. Click here to see her favorite one! 

Were you always good at writing?
That's an easy one: NO! My best subject in school was always math. I have a very logical mind and liked being presented with a problem, solving it, and knowing the right answer! Even now I don't like showing anyone my first drafts. Luckily there's always lots of revision. My writing really comes to life during the rewriting process. 

What other jobs have you had? 
When I was a teenager, I babysat, painted and sold barrettes, and taught tennis. After college and graduate school, I became a public health lawyer. Then I started my favorite job—being a mom. I have four children with a wonderful husband, whom I met in high school! 

Is being a writer a hard job? 
Being a writer is a very tough job, but it's extremely rewarding. I had to develop a thick skin and be open to criticism and rejection. I've learned to think about criticism as feedback—suggestions from people who are trying to help me improve my writing. Sometimes I use the suggestions and sometimes I don't, but the important thing is to be open and listen. 

Why do you like to write? 
Researching and writing for children is challenging but extremely satisfying. I’ve learned so much about the world and myself. The women I write about inspire me every day to push myself, step out of my comfort zone, and persevere. They’ve taught me important life lessons, transformed fear into passion, and helped me grow in so many ways. And my ultimate hope is always to pass that inspiration on to my readers.

I also like the feeling I get when I find just the right ending or the perfect word or phrase to express an idea or emotion. Sometimes the word comes to me when I'm not even thinking about it. I think it's magical. 

Where do you get your ideas?
I sometimes come across ideas when reading, watching TV, or listening to a podcast. Other times I go looking for someone to write about. I always have to have a strong connection to the person I’m writing about, as well as the topic. That connection could be rooted in passion, fear, or curiosity.

For example, when I decided to write my first picture book biography, I knew I wanted to find a female athlete, because sports were a big part of my childhood. I spent hours in the library and online looking for a female athlete who overcame enormous challenges, preferably someone who’s story was relatively unknown but deserved to be told. When I read about Alice Coachman, I knew I had found my woman!

Where do you write? 
Mostly I write in my office or in the kitchen. But I am always thinking about my stories. I jot down ideas in the supermarket, when I wake up at night, or when I'm in the car (after I pull over, of course). 

What kinds of books do you write? 
I’m constantly in awe of nature and its countless gifts and surprises. Nothing sparks my curiosity more, so I especially enjoy researching and writing nonfiction picture books that celebrate our natural world. I also love writing picture book biographies about trailblazing women. Since science topics fascinate me and women pursuing STEM careers have faced incredible challenges, I’m naturally drawn to their stories.

What are your favorite kinds of books?
The fabulous thing about children's books is the variety. Whenever I have time, I love to go to the library or bookstore, browse the fiction and nonfiction shelves, plop myself down with a big pile of books, and read! Right now I can't get enough of informational picture books. There are so many fun and fascinating books about animals. I also adore well-crafted, narrative nonfiction that draws you in with character, setting, and tension. And the best part is that THE STORIES ARE TRUE! 

When it comes to novels, I love historical fiction and humorous, clever stories. Some of my favorite authors are Judy Blume, Lois Lowry, Jerry Spinelli, Louis Sachar, Wendelin Van Draanen, Sharon Creech, and Roald Dahl.

How long does it take you to write a book? 
That's a toughie. Every book is different. Some take one year and others take three or four years. When I have an idea for a nonfiction book, I research it and take lots of notes. But it takes me a while to figure out my way into the story and how to frame it. Where should I start it, and where should it end? What characters and events are important? What is the story really about? So I spend a lot of time just thinking about it—when I'm brushing my teeth, when I'm cooking dinner, when I'm walking my dog. It percolates. Then one day, BOOM, I just know I'm ready to get started with the writing. 

What else do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love to do creative projects. I’ve taken ceramics and metal-smithing classes with my daughters. I also love to go on outdoor adventures. I’ve been to Wyoming where we rode horses, milked goats, camped, and rode the rapids. I’ve traveled to Tanzania, where we saw lions, cheetahs, and elephants and listened to the hyenas at night from our tents in the bush. Often my adventures are also research for a book. I’ve gone paragliding and swimming with sharks. I’ve explored the treetops of the Amazon rainforest. And most recently, I traveled to Madagascar to visit a scientist and enjoy the lemurs. I spent hours and hours watching them socialize and leap from tree to tree as if they were on springs!