6.SR: How do you think a nonfiction writer approaches writing differently than a fiction writer? Have you ever considered writing fiction?
AS: I also write fiction. My recent book, NOODLE MAN: THE PASTA SUPERHERO is about silly and fictional as you can get. I'm currently finishing a novel. For me, fiction and nonfiction are just different ways of expressing the joy and curiosity I feel about the world.
7.SR: What was the first piece of writing you had published? How did you feel?
AS: I can't remember the first piece of writing I ever had published. It must have been in elementary school. In middle school I won an essay contest with a very short tongue-in-cheek essay about how I thought ants were going to take over the world.
AS: I was so happy when my first picture book, IF YOU SHOULD HEAR A HONEY GUIDE came out. I felt joy and a strange kind of relief, like it was okay if I died after that because at least I had done this one thing. Holding your first book in your hands is magical and very affirming.
8.SR: You are a very prolific writer. How do you choose your projects?
AS: I live in a blizzard of book ideasâ€"scribbled on notepads and tucked in files. I never know which ones will reach completion. But if a certain idea returns again and again, I usually honor that and try to finish it. Staying focused is my #1 challenge.
9.SR: Do you propose a whole series to the publisher or one book at a time?
AS: I have proposed some whole series to publishers in the past, for the school library market. This was a good way to support myself and have some sort of security. But I don't generally do that anymore; now I just let single title books bubble up from inside me.
10.SR: How do you acquire the photographs for your books?
AS: I generally do not acquire the photos for my books.Only for SECRETS OF SOUND have I acquired all the photos. That was so challenging! Each scientist provided some photos. I filled in with some of my own.But I also had to ask around a lot. I used dozens of sources and the paperwork was quite overwhelming.
11.SR: Are there any writers that have influenced your writing?
AS: Hmmmm....I've read so many books that I can't pick out which people have most influenced my writing.
12.SR: What is the best writing advice you have received?
