About the
Author
Me in my office where I write stories.

Why am I a writer?

When I was a young girl, I wanted to be a teacher.  I’d line up my stuffed animals - Billy Bear, Boing Boing, Easter Bunny - in front of a board with magnetic letters and numbers and teach them the alphabet and how to count. In high school I wanted to be a tennis player.  I was on the tennis team, and played at our neighborhood tennis club in the summers - and even competed in tournaments. Then in college I thought digging dinosaur bones would be a cool job. Or maybe working at a big time advertising agency. It wasn’t until after college, when I was working at my own small public relations agency that I decided I really wanted to write children’s books. I was so inspired by the magic that happens when reading a book that I wanted to see if my active imagination could create magical moments for kids all over the world. So I started to write, then sent my stories to publishers, and sold my first manuscript, Hippity Hop, Frog on Top, in 1992.  I’ve been writing ever since.

Why I write now.

I love the freedom of being my own boss, of coming up with ideas on my own and writing that first draft to see if my idea has any spark. I’m not so crazy about the revising process although there are thrilling moments when I figure out a better way to say something, or when I nail dialog, or work through a complicated plot line. The most exciting moment is when an editor says they want to publish my manuscript.  Then I know all my hard work has paid off, and that soon, children will enter my imaginative world through a book.
Scrapbook
Me at 2-1/2 having a good hair day.
In high school I was on the tennis team and played at our local tennis club in the summers.
Graduation day at Arizona State University.
My first car - a 1967 Mustang!
Dan at the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.
Dan and I got married on January 16, 1988.  That’s where my last name, Wing, came from.  My maiden name is Lazutin.
My calico cat, Jemima, likes to take naps with me.
Dan and I love to explore new places and cultures. Here we're on top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
This is my house in California.
Fun Facts

Birthday - February 7th, a week before Valentine’s Day. That’s why I love the color red and heart shapes.
Favorite birthday cake flavor - carrot cake, at least two layers with real cream cheese frosting spread on thick.
Pets - Jemima, a calico cat, and King Midas, an orange cat.
Hobbies: I collect squished pennies and sterling silver snowflakes
Favorite time of day - 4-5 p.m.
Favorite sounds - my husband’s truck pulling in the driveway, and laughter
Animal that makes me smile - bunnies
Favorite wild animal - wolf
Favorite thinking spot - in the mountains
Favorite cookie - oatmeal with raisins, walnuts and vanilla chips (SEE RECIPE BELOW)

Recipe for Tasha’s Triple Treat Oatmeal Cookies
Storytelling is a lot like baking - you need basic ingredients to make things work but it’s better when you add your own special flavorings. I made this recipe up by adding extra goodies to a basic oatmeal cookie recipe. I added coconut for my husband, and vanilla chips for me.  The combination is delicious! Click here for a 3x5 recipe index card (.pdf).
Natasha Wing © 2007
Top illustration by Sylvie Kantorovitz
from "Go to Bed, Monster!"