NYTimes bestselling author Nancy Krulik was actually the very first writer whose book I edited in full, on my own, lo so many years ago (seriously, I must have been five. But she went easy on a newbie). Since then, she's been a great colleague and mentor, always available to give advice about the writing life.

In between writing seven zillion books at once, Nancy took the time to provide us with the following reply:

Okay, the most ridiculous thing I ever did for popularity was join a high school sorority. I thought it was such a huge deal to be invited to pledge when I was a freshman. But it so humiliating pledging--wearing the ribbon and a horrible black and yellow hat everywhere. Having to go up and ask boys out whenever your "big sisters" told you too, singing at the top of my lungs in the cafeteria (and believe me I can't sing). And in the end I only stayed in the sorority for about a year and a half--it was too snobby for me.

As for protesting and taking up causes, I've been involved in too many to count. I remember protesting dress codes in high school (I'm not big on limiting freedom of expression) and in college I made many trips to Washington, protesting everything from nuclear arms and unsafe nuclear power, to U.S. imperialism in Central America. I've never stopped protesting those things I view as wrong, and am passing the torch to my children today. There is so much we can change in this world if we just open our mouths and let our leaders know how we feel.

Nancy Krulik (born Brooklyn, New York) is the author of more than 200 books for children and young adults, including three New York Times bestsellers. She is best known as the author and creator of the Katie Kazoo Switcheroo and How I Survived Middle School book series, which have brought her to the attention of elementary school and middle school readers nationwide. Her novels for teens include The Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies Ripped at the Seams, She's Got the Beat and Puppy Love, as well as individual romance titles Love &Sk8, Newly Wed, and Dawn's Early Light.