6.SR: What is the easiest part of writing for you? The hardest part?
JD: The hardest part is the first draft. Revising is easier. I wouldn't say any of it is really easy--it's just that I enjoy working with the story once I have it written down more than writing it down in the first place.
7.SR: What is the best writing advice you have ever received?
JD: I had a creative writing teacher once who told me, very firmly, that I had to make something happen in my stories, otherwise I might as well not write them. I couldn't figure out how to do this for a long time. I was writing sketchy, atmospheric things in which people thought a lot and felt a lot but rarely did much. It wasn't until I really took this teacher's advice that I learned to write fiction.
8.SR: Can you describe a typical writing day for you?
JD: I work in the morning, usually. If I'm really going strong and feel energetic, I sometimes work in the afternoon or even in the evening. But usually I don't do more than two or three hours of writing a day.
9.SR: Does the current state of children's publishing discourage or encourage you and why?
JD:Since I'm fairly new to this field, I'm still learning what the current state of children's publishing is. I see that many good books are being published, and also many that aren't so good, which I guess is always the way. I wish it weren't necessary for publishers to put out celebrity books that aren't particularly good in order to finance books by lesser known but better writers.
10.SR: What part must you play in promoting your book?
JD: So far, I have been guest author at a school book fair and at two local parent-child book clubs. I'll be visiting other schools soon; I've spoken at my local bookstore; I'll be speaking at the NCTE conference this fall and doing books signings there. I'm no expert at the promotion business--still learning about this aspect of the business.
11. SR: Please discuss any upcoming plans or projects.
JD: The sequel to THE CITY OF EMBER is coming out from Random House in May 2004. I've recently sold a quite different kind of book to Greenwillow. And I've started work on a new one that's just in the beginning stages. My plan is to keep writing as long as the good ideas keep coming.
