1. Since you wrote two books about baseball, are you a big fan of the game?

“I think baseball has an inherent drama, but I’m not particularly a big fan of the sport.  I am fascinated with the Negro Leagues, however.  This was a time when African Americans were denied access to the Major Leagues.  Because of their love for the sport, and ability to overcome obstacles, these players distinguished themselves in an arena of their own creation.  I honestly believe the Negro Leagues were a precursor for the Civil Rights Movement.  Grandma’s Baseball and The Bat Boy & His Violin both feature the Negro Leagues, though set in very different times and places.  I think I may have a few more Negro League stories in me.”

2. Why have you stopped writing and drawing comic books?

“When I got into the comic book industry in the early 1990’s, I discovered it to be a very different place than I had imagined it to be as a fan trying to break in.  I didn’t find it as creatively fulfilling for me as I had hoped.  At the same time, I was selling children’s book concepts and attaining my Master’s degree in education – areas that held far more personal satisfaction.  While I still like the characters and the medium, I don’t think comic books are my best forum to tell stories right now…”

3. Do you do school visits?

“Since I am also a full-time third grade teacher, one could say I do a school visit every day!  This makes it virtually impossible for me to visit other schools during the school year.  I do, however, appear at book fairs, signings and readings scheduled on weekends and during the summer.  I have even read The Bat Boy & His Violin at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.”

4. Do you play the violin like Reginald in The Bat Boy & His Violin?

“No.  I am an artist and writer, though.  I like to use metaphors in my work.”

5. Who are you influenced by?

“I am influenced by so many different types of artists.  In general, because my interests are so diverse, I like to examine the works of “hyphenates” -- creative people who simultaneously express themselves in a variety of disciplines. Gordon Parks was one. A director, writer, composer and photographer, he was an idol of mine that I had the pleasure of meeting."