MORE OF YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Questions from Rayna M (who went to her first Diana Ross concert this past May):

I read an article that your sister, Rhonda, wrote about how she overcame her issues with low self-esteem. While reading your blog, I saw that you at one time were shy and "not comfortable in your own skin." So question for you is will any of your children's books deal with self-esteem and learning to accept each other's differences?

Yes, I do try to have a positive message in the books I write. In my middle reader series (which I have been re-writing forever) my main character, Bean, dances to the beat of her own drum. At this age range, they don’t want preach-y lessons, but I think it is still important to have a positive underlying message. My main goal in writing has always been to spread the word that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and that our beauty comes from our differences. Personally, it took me a long time to understand this, which is why I think it is an important part of my writing today.

Also, I am from the D.C. area and I wanted to know what your experience was like teaching in inner city D.C.? I'm asking because I attended elementary school in Southeast D.C. and I feel that a lot of times those schools get a bad rap. My experience attending school in inner city D.C. was a good one, and when I transferred to another school, I was academically ahead of my classmates.

When I graduated from college, I did a program called Teach For America. TFA is an awesome Americorp program that takes recent college graduates, gives them a summer of training, then places them in the neediest schools in our nation. We also work towards our teaching credentials while taking night classes. I have to admit that I had a rough year, but I don’t want that to shed a bad light on all public schools in DC. Remember, I was a passionate, yet naïve 21 year old fresh out of college. I had great ideas and a lot of love, but no experience and even less support from the administration at the school. I had hoped to teach first grade, but was placed as a fifth grade teacher and the other staff being excited to have a new teacher placed all the troubled kid’s in my room. I struggled from day one with discipline, which made it impossible to teach and the principal’s only response (and support) was to “be meaner.” That being said, I taught some amazing kids, some of whom I still keep in touch with all these years later. DC holds a special place in my heart and I can totally see how you had a positive school experience is such an amazing city.

Questions from Terry Wilson from Seattle:

I've heard three of your siblings sing (Rhonda, Tracee, and Evan). Can you sing also?

Hmm… I definitely can carry a tune, but I will not be putting out an album anytime soon. Lol! I prefer some karaoke now and then (My songs of choice: I Will Survive, Last Time I Saw Him and Let’s Hear It For The Boy) and singing in my car or in the shower.

You've evolved into a fashionista. Have you ever considered donating an entire section of your website devoted to dress and beauty tips?

I have thought about doing some fashion and beauty tips on my website. I love fashion and what fun that would be, however at this time I am so busy starting a business (info coming soon) and trying to keep up with my writing, so I’m not sure I could dedicate the effort that would be needed to make it successful. Thanks for the idea though, I will keep it in mind!

Question from Becca Reed:

Did your mom ever get really angry at you when you were a child and what did you do that got you into trouble? Be very carefully because you don't want to give anyone any ideas, ha!

It may sound like a boring answer, but I never really got in any BIG trouble as a kid. I was a pretty good girl (still am today :). I was always a rule follower who wanted to make everyone happy. That being said, you do NOT want to get my mom angry. She wasn’t a big yeller, but you could see the anger in her eyes. She would look like she could eat your whole and no one liked to have that look focused on them.

Thanks everyone for the great questions! A couple more coming soon!