The truth is, I can't help but write. I even wake up in the middle of the night sometimes and have to write for a bit before I can go back to sleep. Writing is a big part of who I am and I love it! I especially love the feeling when I write something that touches someone's heart.
The joy of watching people's faces when a story I've written touches them is the best part for me. It's hard to describe because writing itself is a lonely occupation, but I never forget that I'm writing for someone else to read what I am writing. I kind of get the best of both worlds - writing is my quiet, alone time, and then I get to take what I've written out into the big, wide world and share it with others.
The editing process is always the hardest part. When I first write something, the first draft just flows and I get totally caught up in what is happening in my character's lives. Then, comes the hard part - reading, re-reading, editing, changing, and polishing my words until I am sure the writing says what I really want to say and that readers will enjoy it. It's hard work, but it is worth it.
This is a difficult question because I have so many favourite books. I love books that take me to different worlds or let me see another world view than the one I have. Growing up, I loved the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis and they are still my favourites. My favourite picture book is The Best Loved Bear by Diana Noonan because my son has a bear that is also 'loved to bits'.
I won't ever stop writing if I can help it. I'm currently writing a chapter book series featuring three autistic children who solve mysteries and a few picture books are in the works too. Meanwhile, I'm loving being a mum, and an author who gets to visit schools and share my love of books, reading, and writing with many children.