Get to Know… Sarah Aronson!

Hi, my name is… Sarah Aronson. Family legend has it that my mom was going to name me Sally (a more modern version of Sarah), but when I was born, I screamed and yelled and my face turned bright red (maybe because she was going to name me Sally). Bottom line, in spite of her realization that my name (sort of) rhymed, she changed her mind and named me Sarah. She figured I’d change it when I got married.

I like my name! (Especially when people roll my R’s.) I have met two other Sarah Aronsons! The most famous Sarah Aronson was a Jewish spy who worked with the British during WWI.

Over the years, I’ve been introduced as Sarah Arson. Or Sarah Arnoson (on a book spine). In high school, friends called me the Beak. Now I love being known as the author of Just Like Rube Goldberg and The Wish List series!

True story: When I was little, I desperately wanted a nickname. My first choice was GaGa, because I liked drawing G’s and A’s. (Yep. Go ahead. Call me Old Lady Gaga.)

I am a… mom, a wife, a daughter, sister, friend, and of course, a writer. I’m a person who loves the idea of making something out of nothing, of playing with words. I find ideas when walking by Lake Michigan, or eavesdropping, or reading, or inviting wonder into my life. Confession: this wasn’t always easy for me. If you have heard my lecture, The Power of Play, you know that I pledged to write without expectations—to embrace play—and now I am much happier. And more productive. When I get a great idea, I open my sketchbook and explore!

I am also a teacher of other writers—a great honor. I love working with other writers, helping them understand their stories and helping them see how play and intuition can help them reimagine their characters and plots. It’s the best part of every day, and I am proud of the writers that have taken my classes.

I am also a person who likes to ride her bike. I live in Chicago, and there are no hills, so riding a bike is easy peasy lemon squeezy!

As a kid, I was… so impatient for everything. (I still don’t like waiting!) I signed up to play piano in a talent show—before I’d ever taken a lesson. My mom would tell you I was born a story teller (one degree separated from truth), and that I always had too much gusto. My dad would probably add that I liked being the star of the show. (I got that from him!)

Writing is… fun/hard/easy/a joy. Writing is rewriting. Writing is a search for a story. Writing is inspiration, intuition, and intellect. It’s deleting the whole manuscript, to find the truth. Writing is how I get to know myself and the world around me.

Reading is… the bridge to everything! When I read, the world is more knowable. I become braver. I can put my feet in someone else’s shoes. I am more confident.

Books are… the building blocks of a better tomorrow! Readers are my heroes!

Did you know… that my I worked in a library in high school? That I also worked for Jack La Lanne? (My job history is a bit like a Rube Goldberg machine: I have also been a physical therapist, religious school educator, bookseller, office assistant, and substitute teacher.)

I have loved Rube Goldberg machines ever since I saw Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

I am a big believer in PLAY! It’s the way! I think there is room for all stories! All we have to do is listen.

You can find me…

In the living room. (My office is too messy right now).

At the Brothers K coffee shop.

Eating ramen.

At hot yoga.

In a bookstore.

By email: sarah.n.aronson@gmail.com

On Twitter: @sarah_aronson

On Insta: @sarahnaronson