Modified from the article at Kids Book Review with Kate DiCamilo. 1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you. I have the hardest time answering questions and making decisions. But most people can figure that out pretty quickly. 2. What is your nickname? Gura. Because my full name in Japanese in a nightmare to pronounce. It sounds like a Russian bear with a cough. 3. What is your greatest fear? My children would be kidnapped, or a live radio interview, or doing taxes.

Who knew the simplest task, like printing out a document, finding an envelope, signing your name, could provide such obstacles. Review, edit. Review, edit. Repeat. Out of ink. The wrong paper. The right pen. A sloppy signature. Process repeat. International shipping, charges, regulations, Japanese language barriers. Nevertheless, I have overcome. I have pushed through. And I have only just started the process of submitting my series to publishers for consideration. Breath in.