Where Do Writers Come From?

I get all sorts of questions when I visit schools or speak at young writers conferences these days. Most people want to know what my background is, who inspired or influenced me, and how I came to be a writer.

So lately I’ve been thinking a lot about my childhood, my family, and the events—both good and bad—which have helped shape me. I’ve chosen a few of them to write about in this collection. These poems answer some of the most commonly asked questions, like: Did I become a writer because everyone thought I’d be good at it?

By the way, the answer to that one is NO! My mother thought it was a horrible idea, and the people in my neighborhood said, “Writers don’t come from ’round here!”

Looks like they were wrong, doesn’t it? That just goes to show, it pays to listen to your own heart!