About the Writer

In this section, we’ll delve into elements of me that are directly related to my writing.

 

How did you become interested in writing?

 

Ever since I was little, I’d write and draw stories on blank pieces of paper taken from my parents’ printer.  Most of these early works imagined the everyday lives of different cartoon and video game characters I admired.  Have you ever wondered what the Nintendo character Kirby was like as an elementary school student?  Well, some of my stories discussed that very subject. 

 

As I grew up, I wanted to craft characters and worlds of my own.  So, I started writing some short stories about finding meaning in everyday life.  Plus, writing poetry proved to be a powerful way to convey my feelings.  With so many different ideas floating around in my head, I think it’s a shame that only a few can ever blossom on the page!  However, I do my best to figure out what I want to explore, pick the genre most suitable for the idea, and write about it.

 

What advice would you give young writers as they begin their creative journeys?

 

Read and write what you enjoy on a regular basis to keep those creative muscles bulky.  And yes, it’s important to read what you enjoy, not just what academia claims are “classics.”  And yes, it’s important to write what you enjoy, not just what seems to be the current trend. 

 

If you find yourself having trouble staying focused on your tasks, then try using checklists.  Checklists keep me on track every day.  I never have to wonder if I’m forgetting anything: the tasks are neatly listed right there for me.  And at the end of the day, I can look at all my check marks and be proud of what I accomplished. 

 

Plus, it’s important to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually.  It’s more difficult to be creative if you’re not getting enough sleep and feel drowned in busywork.

 

What do you plan to publish in the future?

 

Maybe I’ll publish another novel or two.  Maybe I’ll publish a play.  Maybe I’ll publish another poetry collection.  Maybe I’ll do all these things.  Not even I know the answer to that question!

 

What are some of your favorite books?

 

Here are some of my favorite contemporary works, listed alphabetically:

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

     - A wide variety of interesting kids narrate this heartwarming story of how they have a special year with their amazing teacher.  I could sympathize with every child’s struggles and appreciate all their fun antics as well.

​

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

     - This work of historical fiction explores the Holocaust from a unique perspective: the eyes of a boy whose dad leads a concentration camp.  The unlikely friendship that this boy develops with someone on the other side of the barbed-wire fence is simply touching.  I also appreciated how the book is rife with dramatic irony and compelling messages that apply to us today.

​

Boy21 by Matthew Quick

     - After losing his parents, a high school boy named Russ has cut himself off from others and goes by the name Boy21, claiming that he’s from outer space.  Finley, a quiet high schooler in a racially torn city, has been tasked with helping Russ rediscover his love for basketball and get his life back on track.  I couldn’t help but cheer for the diverse cast of likeable characters as they tackled their difficult challenges in this exciting and moving tale.

​

The Confessions of April Grace: In Front of God and Everybody by K. D. McCrite

     - This adorable story follows a girl living in the country, where she has a bunch of eccentric neighbors keeping her life interesting.  April Grace has to help her grandmother, who’s suddenly fallen for a man who moved into town recently, while coping with two egoistic people who have temporarily moved into her house.  Thanks to her witty humor and vibrant use of language, April Grace struck me as a nuanced character and amazing storyteller.

​

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

     - This book switches between the perspectives of an artistic boy whose dreams are dashed and his equally artistic sister trying to pull her family back together.  While plenty of novels switch between narrators, this story sets itself apart by following the boy’s perspective as their family is falling apart and the girl’s perspective after their family has fallen apart.  Watching how the stories of two ambitious young people piece together in a dramatic tale (with pinches of clever humor along the way) was exciting and delightful for me.

​

Jacky Ha-Ha by Chris Grabenstein and James Patterson

     - This story brings both laughs and tears as it follows twelve-year-old Jacky, who loves showing off her sense of humor.  As much as she enjoys cracking jokes—even when adults would rather she didn’t—she can’t help but feel that her family’s cracking apart as she and her sisters cope with having a mother fighting overseas and a dad who’s rarely home.  I consider this heartwarming story solid proof that children’s books can be enjoyed by adults as well.

​

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

     - Our ten-year-old narrator, Caitlin, has Asperger’s syndrome, making it difficult for her to help her dad find closure after her older brother is killed in a school shooting.  Her journey to learn about empathy is an adorable, meaningful one.

​

There’s A Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom by Louis Sachar

     - I didn’t enjoy reading as a youngster, but when my fourth grade teacher read this book aloud to the class, I loved it so much that I bought a copy of my own.  The narrator is a fifth grader who doesn’t seem very likable: he’s a liar and a bully.  However, Bradley Chalkers begins to open up with the help of a counselor who sees his potential.  Since I wasn’t always very friendly as a kid, I found the whole story relatable.  Plus, it had plenty of witty humor and uplifting messages.

​

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

     - I don’t read stories targeted at adults very often, but I enjoyed this dramatic tale of two Afghan women whose lives are pulled together after a series of difficult losses.  The heart-wrenching story shows the horror of war as well as the struggles of women living in male-dominated societies.

​

What are some of your favorite classic books?

 

A few of my favorite classic works include:

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

     - Truth be told, the story in this book wasn’t very compelling due to its bland characters.  However, the world that Huxley builds, one where people value nothing but entertainment and being useful, is a chilling commentary on what our materialistic society could become.

​

Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand

     - This beautiful play follows Cyrano, a big-nosed man with both poetic talent and sword skills.  The fact that he’s such a memorable character was enough to make me fall in love with this book, but I also appreciated the vivid language, heartfelt messages, and comic relief woven throughout the story.

​

Paradise Lost by John Milton

     - Maybe it’s strange for a haiku writer to love a long epic poem like John Milton’s definitive work.  But what can I say?  His verse is beautiful and provides a vivid picture of humankind’s fall into sin.

 

Do you enjoy any graphic novels?

​

My two favorite manga (graphic novels from Japan) are Azumanga Daioh, where writer and illustrator Kiyohiko Azuma finds humor and meaning in even the most mundane elements of life, and A Silent Voice, where writer and illustrator Yoshitoki Ōima provides a deeply emotional look at a former bully trying to redeem himself.  Also, even though it’s not as deep as some of the other works on this page, I really enjoyed the fun and exciting Ruby and Sapphire story arc of the Pokémon Adventures manga series (written by Hidenori Kusaka and illustrated by Satoshi Yamamoto).

 

What other books have moved you?

 

I appreciate many books that explore the Christian faith.  Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis provides a compelling argument for why it’s perfectly rational to follow Jesus: it’s a book that any open-minded person should read.  (People wanting to explore the historical evidence for Jesus’ life and resurrection should engage with The Case for Christ and then The Case for the Real Jesus by Lee Strobel.)  Another work by C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, imagines how demons think, providing a scathing portrait of human folly, one that made me reevaluate some of my own actions and attitudes.  I am also grateful for the book God on Mute: Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer by Pete Greig, which helps make sense of difficult times when it seems as if God isn’t responding to our heartfelt cries for help.