Connection. It's the thing that draws me to a particular story. It has to be there, in order for me to spend the time with an idea required to develop it into a story. I have to care about what I'm writing about. One of the projects on which I'm working has introduced...

My journey of seeing myself as a writer began when I was in 4th grade, thanks to an encouraging teacher. My journey as a professional writer began with this great lady—the last person on Earth who would ever think anyone would want to know her story. I called her...

The setting for my upcoming picture book, Hosea Plays On, is the City of Rochester Public Market. The Market has been a part of my life since I was a child. I used to ride the bus with my grandmother (Gaetana!) and witness her barter with vendors, as she collected...