I’m good at target shooting, I’ve read all the Harry Potter books multiple times, and I brake for yard sales. I’m a quiet and soft-spoken person most of the time, but stick a microphone in front of me and I’ll come right out of my shell.

I can barely remember a time when I didn’t write. I started scribbling poems and stories in grade school and never stopped. I grew up to major in English (of course!), and most of my day jobs have somehow connected to my literary habit. I’ve been a proofreader, copy editor, magazine publisher, writing teacher... the list goes on.

It all started as a homeschooling project that somehow got out of hand. When I homeschooled my daughter, I couldn’t find writing topics that inspired her, so I began making up my own. Then it occurred to me that other people might find the prompts helpful, too, so I put them together into e-books.

I’m the author of two poetry chapbooks, with a third one in progress. I’ve published poems, stories, and nonfiction in more than 50 magazines and anthologies.

There are too many to name! I have a soft spot for YA fiction, especially fantasy. I already mentioned my Harry Potter crush. The Lord of the Rings is also near the top of my list. I also love memoirs and diaries—Anne Frank’s diary was inspired me to start my own journal at age eleven. As far as books on writing, I recommend The Writer’s Book of Days by Judy Reeves and Writing Alone and With Others by Pat Schneider.

I love having quiet time at home with my husband, our daughter, and our assorted pets. I exercise almost every day—something that might surprise the kids who picked me last for teams back in middle school! I also love playing piano and spending time in nature.

Our backyard chickens. Hugs from my kid. Real letters in the mailbox. My birthday. Anything chocolate.

It’s Hungarian. (My father was born in Hungary and came to America as a young adult.) Here in the U.S., I pronounce my name to rhyme with “Paris.” In proper Hungarian, it has an “sh” sound on the end and rhymes with “cherish.”

Over the years I’ve seen my unusual name mangled in all sorts of creative ways. The best/worst spelling so far is “Veerzz.” Sometimes people misspell it as “Verses.” Since I write poetry, I always smile at that one.

Don’t wait for inspiration to strike. Set a regular writing schedule, show up, and the muse will find you. If the muse doesn’t find you, write anyway. So what if it’s terrible? You still put something on the page, and that’s a better use of your time than watching “Bob’s Burgers” reruns. Just keep writing. Keep showing up. Good things will happen. I promise.