Todd Mertyn
Boise, Idaho

Dear Todd: Thanks for writing. Some writers do indeed have second jobs, but if that is what you really want to do, prepare yourself for some hard work and go for it! Personally, I fell very blessed that my writing career has been able to support me to this point. Good luck!

Dear Sigmund: I have five members in my family. How many brothers and sisters do you have, and are they like you? (I also have one dog, and his name is Jomoan.)

Philip Knight
Durant, Oklahoma

Dear Philip: I have four sisters and one brother. I was born first which, of course, makes me the oldest. Would you believe that, as we all grew up, I was also the most wise, most well-behaved and most sincere? Hmmm, I didn't think so. The truth is that we are all different, especially now that we have all grown up. What we all enjoy the most is that all of us live in our hometown where our parents still live as well. It makes it easy to get together for fun family events, and it's even more fun now that I have four nieces and three nephews. (I am very grateful for such a large and close-knit family. Isn't it strange that sometimes you don't appreciate how good it is to have a close family until you grow up enough to see that not everyone has been blessed in the same way?)

Dear Sigmund: Have you ever thought about continuing the Accidental Detective series, but when the kids are about ten to fifteen years older?

Heidi Boohay
Trenton, New Jersey

Dear Heidi: The short answer is (as I scratch my head and think about it) no, I haven't. But now that I am thinking about it what an interesting idea. I'd give you a longer answer, Heidi, but right now I have to make a phone call. To my editor. I hope she is in her office. I'll ask her the same question.