I was born on April 6, just as the dogwoods and the cherry trees were blooming in Washington, D.C.—the prettiest time of year here (in my opinion) and where I spent the first four months of my life. Then we moved up the road to Chevy Chase, Maryland. (Because of the humidity, I would have moved a bit farther west. But nobody asked me.) I was named for my mother’s father, Milton Zalis, and after the heroine in the novel Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk. I love that book, and from everything I’ve heard, I would have absolutely adored my grandfather.

I grew up in a friendly neighborhood with kids of all ages. Life was very busy then: biking, baking, running, going to parties, entering contests, watching TV, seeing plays, collecting autographs, reading, playing jacks with my sister and baseball and football with my brother, and eating anything made by Drake’s and Pepperidge Farm or sold by Danny’s Bakery. I also loved M&M’s, Hershey Bars, and Junior Mints. And I was a Brownie, too—naturally!

My mom and dad read to me every night. For about a year, I asked my mom to read me one special story—No Roses for Harry. (Even today, I still enjoy re-reading a great book.) Other favorites of ours were Make Way for Ducklings, Put Me in the Zoo, and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. In first grade, I learned how to read. I still remember that thrilling moment when I discovered that I could—one word at a time—make sense of what Dick and Jane were doing.

In my teens, I decided that I would write books when I grew up. But for some mysterious reason, I went to law school first. While preparing for an exam, I'd always take a break, find a comfy couch, and read the most lyrical play—Romeo and Juliet. Believe me, I couldn't have imagined then that someday I'd co-write a book about Shakespeare’s life and times. My first book, though, was an autobiography, Is There Life After Chocolate? (Sadly, in my early twenties, I had to give up chocolate—forever.) A desk calendar with cartoons and recipes, it featured fantastic illustrations by John Thompson.

During and after law school, I was an intern at the FDA and at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Also, in June 2008, I was awarded a patent for an electronic memory pad.

People sometimes ask what inspires me to write books. (More often, though, they wonder how I can sit for so many hours each day!) Usually, my ideas for books spring to life while spending time with family and friends—sledding, eating a holiday meal, or just talking. Speaking of talking, I met the man of my dreams, Jim Catler, in the springtime while playing softball in Washington D.C., right down the street from my alma mater, American University. He would always give me a play-by-play description of the game as we came in off the field. We were on the same team then, you see—and we still are!

That’s my story so far. Stay tuned.