Diana
Here are five questions students often ask when I visit schools.
- How old are you?
Old enough to remember when Space Invaders was a high-tech computer game.
- Do you have kids?
No. What do you think I am? A goat? Only goats have kids.
- Where are you from?
Wait a minute! Now you think I'm an alien?
- Are you related to George López, Jennifer López, Mario López, and every other Lopez in the whole wide world?
You bet! They're my compadres, and every year, we get together for a giant talent show.
- Are you rich?
Unfortunately, I'm the poster child for "starving artist."
The real answers:
- Come on, now. My age is kinda private. But if you really have to know . . . on surveys, I check the box for over 50 years old.
- I don't have children, but I have lots of nephews and nieces.
- I was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, the sparkling city by the sea.
- My maiden name is Martinez, so technically, I'm not related to any famous López people. My husband, who's a real López, isn't related to them either.
- I am so rich—with family, friends, and story ideas. Way better than lots of money!
So what do I like to do besides reading and writing?
- Teaching! It's not a job if you love it.
- Going for long walks or riding my bike.
- Playing board games, especially Settlers of Catan.
- Roaming around the country in search of bookmarks, refrigerator magnets, and ancient technologies like pay phones.
- Hanging out with my husband. Yes, it's corny! But he's my best friend.
Formal Bio
Writing from Corpus Christi Texas, Diana López is the author of numerous middle grade novels such as Confetti Girl, Nothing Up My Sleeve, and Lucky Luna. She also wrote a picture book biography called Sing With Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla about the famous Tejano musician. The first two books of her Los Monstruos series, Felice and the Wailing Woman and Rooster and the Dancing Diablo, are now available with the third book, Ava and the Owl-Witch, arriving soon. She is a proud member of the Texas Institute of Letters, an honor society of Texas writers. She retired after a 28-year career in education at both the middle school and college levels, but she still wears her "teacher hat" as a mentor for programs like the AWP and Las Musas.
For more detailed bio, click here