F.A.Q.

I see you on TV all the time, even in other cities. How do you find the time to do TV and children’s books?

     My reports may end up everywhere, but they’re usually based out of somewhere in Wisconsin. Until very recently, I worked at Milwaukee’s NBC affiliate, WTMJ-TV. That station is very committed to reporting the news where it happens, so we’ve all travel at some point or another. Our reports are frequently sent via satellite feed around the country — even around the world. TMJ covers its area and news in general very, very well, but no, I’m not everywhere at once. If you want to believe that I can be, well, I suppose I can’t stop you!

     As for writing children’s books, I try to grab time wherever I can. I’ve learned to write under deadline, so even if I have only ten minutes, I take advantage of them to write a few sentences or clean up a paragraph. I never sit around waiting for inspiration to hit.

     I’m also blessed with a great and supportive family. They give me time alone when I really need it or they join in (which is more fun) when I need that!

     I also know some incredible talents who won’t let me quit — and even push me to their level of greatness, some without even knowing it. One is my husband, Jeff Miracola, who has been published hundreds of times already. He’s a fantastic illustrator, working on his own children’s book. I credit myself as being the inspiration for his most gruesome creations!

What do you like to write, and what are you writing now?

     I just finished writing a fantasy novella for middle readers. It focuses around a 5th grade boy, who finds an amazing way to confront his bully and, eventually, his own fears. I will let you all know when (I have to say “when” because I don’t want to accept “if”) it gets picked up by an agent and publisher. I think the book is a really fun and meaningful read.

     I like writing children’s fiction best, not only because of its whimsical and sentimental qualities, but because of the amazing opportunity it provides. Fiction directed toward a child affects that child’s view on the world and humanity. Imagine speaking your vision, passing on your wisdom, or even just sharing a laugh with a child who may benefit for a lifetime. I hope to accomplish that at least once!

     Also, children’s fiction is the polar opposite of what’s been my day job. Television journalists are supposed to write about the “real,” ie, non-fiction, what is really happening, what is really said, and what is really done (Never mind that a whole lot of people would prefer that journalists NOT report the whole truth). So, when I do want to write the “unreal,” children’s fiction becomes my creative outlet.

     If you’d like to learn more me or my thoughts on writing, please feel free to keep poking around this site. Thanks for visiting!