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Wendelin Van Draanen
Author

Wendelin Van Draanen is the cool author who has written the Sammy Keyes series and Flipped. Can you believe that she became a writer by accident? And just how did she invent Sammy Keyes? Be sure to check out our review of Sammy Keyes and the Skeleton Man!

How did you become a writer?
By accident. I discovered that writing was an effective means of sorting through a family disaster, and gradually my writing evolved into funny novels for young people. Go figure.

What made you think of creating a character like Sammy Keyes?
Until recently, I was a teacher. And it occurred to me that it would be really cool to throw together into one "pot" a contemporary kid who faces issues that kids today must face, a real crime, and humor. And once I got a taste of Sammy Keyes, well, I was hooked.

How do you think of the mysteries for Sammy Keyes?
I brood. And stew. And make connections between Sammy's home life, her school life (and the horrible Heather!), and the crime (or puzzle). Then I weave them together into a cohesive story where the different aspects play upon each other. It's fun!

What new projects are you working on? The 7th Sammy Keyes book - Sammy Keyes and the Search for Snake Eyes - is in the final stages, my non-Sammy Keyes book, Flipped, has just been released, and I'm presently working on the 8th Sammy book - Sammy Keyes and the Art of Deception.

What would you tell a girl that was interested in doing what you do?
Read. Write. Read some more. Keep writing. And experience life. It gives you perspective, and material, too!

What are some of your hobbies?
Reading. Running. Playing my purple electric guitar (so much fun!)

What was your favorite subject in school?
Hands down, math. It was the only subject that seemed completely objective.

If you could talk to you when you were 12 years old, what advice would you give yourself?
Believe in yourself-you can shape your own destiny!