Q. how did you come to write Fablehaven?

A. I used to live in Connecticut. Trees surrounded my house. Sometimes I would daydream about strange creatures in the woods. Ever since reading the Narnia books, I've had an interest in magical creatures. When I tried to think of an excuse for magical creatures to actually exist, the idea of secret wildlife parks came to mind. The concept of secret wildlife refuges for magical creatures became a playground in my mind. I asked myself many questions. What kind of creatures would live there? What would keep them from destroying each other? Who might watch over them? Who might want to harm them? Who would be interesting people to discover them? Gradually, a story took shape. As the idea grew, I made plans for five Fablehaven books.