Frequently Asked Questions

How do I join your newsletter?  I’m glad you asked! Send a note to: clarebills@live.com or just fill out the form to the right of this page.

Where did you grow up? South Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Did you really have seven sisters? Yes. A family of eight girls, and we’re all still friends, most of the time.

Did you always want to be a writer? I was always involved in some sort of writing, starting in the fifth grade when I wrote for our class paper. Later, I received an MS in journalism and mass communications and worked in both radio news and public relations. However, it took a while to shake off the serious (and boring) writing that was required when writing about news or press releases for a college or a city. (Which was where I practiced public relations.)

What courses have you taken to stop being such a boring writer? First, I took several classes on writing for children, but the field was so saturated! Then, when I found a true story that I felt needed to be told, I took two long courses from nationally known writers to figure out how to put a novel together. I’m still learning and taking classes nearly every week on some aspects of writing to improve my craft.

What else have you written besides boring newsletters for governments or colleges? I’ve been published in magazines, newspapers, newsletters, online sites, and in my fifth-grade class paper.

Hobbies? I have a baking addiction. I also enjoy singing, reading, and feeding the wild animals who live in our backyard. But my favorite thing is spending time with our grandchildren and great-grandson. Of course, that’s not really a hobby, but shopping for them might be.