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Where do you get your ideas?
The people I meet and talk with, the places I visit, the books I read, and of course, my own imagination. I have several thousand volumes of books in my personal library at home. I travel a lot, and when I do I keep my eyes open and my ears tuned in to listen to local expressions and stories. I love to listen to the flow and rhythm of the language that different people use.

What's your favorite food?
Anything really spicy.

Do you have any pets?
I don't. Because I am on the road traveling so much I cannot take care of a pet, but some of my friends have pets and sometimes they visit me.

How many books have you written?
At the last count I was up to one hundred and two (102).

What's your favorite book that you've written?
I seem to always love most the most current book that has been published, but I do have a great fondness for THE LEGEND OF SCARFACE, illustrated by my brother Daniel San Souci. It is a favorite because it was the first story I wrote that got made into a published book.

What was your favorite book when you were young?
THE WIZARD OF OZ was one of my favorite stories.

How many times do you rewrite a story before it is ready to be published?
I have rewritten some of my stories thirty to forty times before they are finally published into book form.

Do you decide who will do the illustrations in your books?
Although I am sometimes asked for my opinion about whether certain illustrators are right for my story, usually the editor that is working on the story with me will decide who will do the artwork. I have been very lucky in having had some of the best children's book illustrators working on my books with me.

How many books have you and your brother Daniel San Souci made together?
We have now done twelve (12) books together.

THE LEGEND OF SCARFACE
THE SONG OF SEDNA
THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW
THE BRAVE LITTLE TAILOR
TWO BEAR CUBS
THE SIX SWANS
FEATHERTOP
SOOTFACE
THE CHRISTMAS ARK
SISTER TRICKSTERS
AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT
THE LITTLE GHOST

Where do you live?
San Francisco, California.

When were you born?
October 10th, in San Francisco, California. My brother, Daniel San Souci, has the same birthday as mine, but is exactly two years younger!

What previous jobs have you had?
Bookseller, editor, advertising copywriter, newspaper, theatre and film reviewer. I was the class reporter in the second grade, about the time I wrote my first story that my brother Daniel San Souci illustrated.

What is your inspiration for writing?
A love of storytelling and the pleasure of shaping a tale -- sort of "sculpting with words."

"S.S." graphic rule.