There's nothing like a page-turner to get someone to like reading . . .
Part of my motivation for writing mysteries for young people is that I loved mysteries when I was growing up, and now that I'm on the creative end of things, I'm discovering that they're even more fun to write! Also, there's nothing like a page-turner to get someone to like reading, and mysteries really do propel the reader through the pages. But the Sammy Keyes mysteries are not "just mysteries." Sammy Keyes and the Runaway Elf is not just about a kidnapped dog, it's a story about the merits of forgiveness; Sammy Keyes and the Curse of Moustache Mary is not just about tracking down an arsonist, it's about believing in yourself and staying on course. This is the case with all the Sammy Keyes books. The mystery is intriguing, but in each book it actually only accounts for about one-third of the whole story.

What sort of person you grow into should not be achieved by default . . .
In addition to writing mysteries, I love writing what I call "coming into your own" stories. Actually, I see the Sammy Keyes series as being a multivolume "coming into your own" story. Basically, "coming into your own" stories deal with growing up and establishing the criteria for how you want to live your life. What sort of person you grow into should not be achieved by default, and often that's exactly what happens to kids. I see literature as a method of guidance, information, and contemplation, and consider it the greatest compliment possible when a reader tells me that a book of mine really made him/her think.

The best part of being a writer is the feeling it gives me that anything is possible . . .
. . .and writing for young readers invigorates me with an optimism and courage that is so much a part of the joy of being young. The feeling that the world is yours to tackleÑthat around any corner there is excitement and adventure and wonder. But writing is work. It takes a lot of contemplation, concentration, and out-and-out sweat. People tend to romanticize itÑthat somehow your work appears by benefit of some mystical external force. In reality, to be a writer, you have to sit down and write. It's work, and often it's hard work.

The difference between being poignant and being depressing . . .
My favorite books as a young girl included the series books that were popular at the time - especially the mysteries. But generally, I liked books that tempered a protagonist's struggle with humor. Humor can make all the difference between a book being poignant and a book being depressing, and who needs depressing? I also remember disliking books that had lengthy flowery descriptions. Now I appreciate the prose, but then I didn't have the patience and my eyes would gloss right over. The friend I wish I'd had growing up . . . Sammy's the friend I wish I'd had growing up and I think we'd get along great. She'd probably describe me as childlike and adventurous, but as she got to know me better, she'd recognize that there's an introspective, serious side to me, too. In Sammy's world, I'm part Marissa, part Dot, part Holly, part Hudson, and yesÑalthough this one's hard to admitÑpart Lana.

People think I'm crazy, but I still use my Mac-Classic . . .
In developing a story line, I brood and stew and brainstorm ideas with my husband, and allow scenes to play out in my mind. Then, when I know what the story is and what the mystery is, I'll sit down and write the first three chapters or so. By then I'm ready to hit the library and other research sources. I'll spend a great deal of time getting the facts and developing the flavor of the setting and circumstances, and then, when I think I'm ready, I'll get back to writing. I write early in the morning at the computer, and people think I'm crazy, but I still use my Mac-Classic even though we have a state-of-the-art PC. There are just less distractions with the simpler machine.

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Illustrations copyright © 2004 Brian Biggs
Illustrations copyright © 2004 Dan Yaccarino
Illustrations copyright © 2004 Robert Krogle
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