I love to take pictures. Over half of the pictures on the walls in my home are photos that I've taken. I absolutely love taking pictures of places and things that I feel are unique and artistic in their own way. I wish I'd studied photography in school. If I weren't an author, I'd want to be a photographer.
Jenny Hale
I lived in England for three months. Before I was an author, I was an elementary school teacher-I have been for the last 18 years. I did my final teaching practice in Derby, England. When I was there, I fell in love with so many children's books, and I sent some to my best friend to read to her baby. That baby is entering a state university this fall. (It's probably time for another visit to the UK, wouldn't you say?)
I hate vinegar. I'm not a terribly picky eater, but I can't even smell vinegar without puckering up my face. I can even sense when it's an ingredient in food, no matter how little is used! When I was traveling, I ordered French fries and they put vinegar on them before I could stop them. (We don't put vinegar on our fries usually, so it didn't occur to me to say something.) So as not to cause a fuss, I said, "Thank you. I'll have another order also, but this one without vinegar." I discreetly chucked the vinegar one in the trash on the way out.
In writing, I start with characters and setting. My stories have mostly been set in real locations around Virginia and North Carolina where I spend time. I need to have a familiar place so that I can create believable characters that would actually live there. I decided to write a small piece with an unfamiliar location once. I spent hours on YouTube watching people's home videos and trying to get a sense of the culture. It was the hardest thing I've ever written.
I do not enjoy shopping! I have a very difficult time shopping because I usually know exactly what I want, so shopping becomes this endless search for that item. I do most of my shopping online for that reason. The way to entice me to shop is to promise me a cup of coffee and a nice chat while we're out. Then I'll go. I'll endure shopping if it means I can spend time with my friends.
I love languages. I had a class once where I had to decipher obscure languages to try to figure out the sentence structure and find meaning. It was SO much fun! I do know Spanish well enough to get my point across and speak to people, but I wish I could be fluent in it. I'd love to learn every language.
I couldn't live without music. Music inspires me, relaxes me, and lifts my mood. I like all kinds of music-many different genres. I'm always excited to find new music.
I don't watch TV shows. If I'm alone in the house, the television will not get turned on. I could go forever and never watch it! (I can't sit still that long.) The only things I'll get sucked into are music competitions (like The Voice), if someone else is watching them, and sports. I will definitely watch sports!
I am extremely organized. There is nothing you won't find in my workspace that isn't ridiculously tidy, color-coded, or in alphabetical order. It's my coping strategy for my crazy attentional issues. I'm always going a hundred miles an hour in my head and being super organized tempers that and keeps me focused.
I don't watch sad movies. I'm a sucker for a happy ending and I refuse to watch sad (or scary!) movies. If I venture out to the movies, it's usually to see something sweet or funny!
