Claire Ainslie
Ric Damm Photography
When she isn’t traveling, Claire Ainslie lives in Wisconsin with her two cats where she spends too much time planning interesting futures for herself. She enjoys baking (because she enjoys eating), Irish dancing, soccer, and fresh air. If you can’t find her, it’s because she’s lost in a book.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci Volume I by Diana Wynne Jones and anything by Tamora Pierce
What’s your favorite line from a book?
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?”—Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
Diana Gabaldon, Tamora Pierce, and Sarah J. Maas
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
I wanted to become an author because books have always been one of the most important things in my life. I love reading and escaping into stories so much, and becoming an author was a way for me to share that love with others.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
It doesn’t matter how much you love your story, you will not always feel like writing. If you ever want to finish, you have to learn to write even when you don’t feel like it or when you don’t think it’s good enough. You can’t fix what isn’t there!
