I have my quirks. Most of us do, that’s what makes us interesting. What are my quirks?

I have a thing for squirrels. My middle grade stem books were focused around them (based on a squirrel that used to live in my backyard. It got mad when we had to have the tree trimmed and it moved away). They’re smart, they cheat at puzzles, they’re thieves. And those fluffy tails!!!

I have a collection of squirrel figurines:

And, obvi, I LOVE BOOKS! I have bookcases in my office, and of course, a library but not a run of the mill one…

What else do I like? Dragons, chai tea, ice cream, cats, puppies (when they belong to someone else), cooking with herbs from my garden, swimming, beaches, hiking, biking, roller coasters, baking, holidays, my pool, summer, slapstick movies like Home Alone and non-gory horror like Stephen King’s Christine.

Enough sunshine and rainbows. What don’t I like:

Figs. I don’t like them, or octopus or organ meats. And: mean people, the deer that chomped my garden to stubs, that fox in the brush behind my house that screams (and sounds like it’s being murdered), gory movies like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, when politics divides people, and… book marketing (ugh). And, sometimes my laptop because I am not tech inclined so when somehow something goes wrong (and I have no clue why or how to fix), I freak. (I’ve reached a new high- I’m posting videos and Canva posters to social media! Who knew even I could do it?)

What else would you like to know? Do I believe in ghosts, the paranormal, UFOs? I haven’t seen any evidence personally, so I can’t say they definitely exist, but I leave the possibility open. Would I like to see them? uh… NO. I don’t think I could ever feel safe. (It’s one thing to write scary stories, another to live it.) Any regrets? Yes: I should have started writing sooner, should have worn my helmet when I went bike riding and saved myself from a broken arm and 6 staples in my head. In elementary school, I should have practiced my violin more. When I first went to college I should have worked harder and finished sooner. (I have 2 Associates, one Bachelors and one Masters degrees over 3 decades.)

(Rutgers didn’t give me a diploma cover.)

What else would you like to know?

Send me your questions (don’t get too personal or creepy or inappropriate) and I’ll answer them. If you’re not a subscriber, sign up below and you will be entered into a drawing for this bookmark (glasses for size reference, sword is about 7″ long. You KNOW you want it):

I haven’t planned next week, so it’ll be a surprise for all of us. Send in your questions!