A: Over the years, I used words more and more in my paintings . . . until I finally wrote myself off the canvas.

Q: What is the difference in preparing to write non-fiction (Einstein’s Daughter) and fiction (Broken Colors)?

A: There is not a big difference in the preparation because I do so much research for both genres. However, in fiction I can embroider as much as I like and in non-fiction I have to tell the absolute truth . . . and that is not so much fun.

Q: How much of Sophie Marks is Michele Zackheim?

A: That’s a secret.

Q: How does research play a part in your writing process? What were some of your source materials for Broken Colors?

A: I metaphorically lay all the pieces of my research down on a table and create a collage. Some of the books I used as source material are: The Artist’s Handbook by Ralph Meyers; Women, Art and Society by Whitney Chadwick; the catalogue for the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London, Self Portrait: Renaissance to Contemporary; Originals: American Women Artists by Eleanor Munro; Poets on Painters edited by J.D. McClatchy; and Birthday by Dorothea Tanning.

Q: From being on the road as an artist with the installation, The Tent of The Meeting, to scouring Serbia looking for clues for Einstein’s Daughter, to the fictitious cross continental journey of Sophie Marks-travel is a constant fixture in your work. Is your work dictated by travel, or is travel dictated by your work?

A: Both. I do occasional “walk-abouts” where I purposely travel to new and sometimes difficult places. Ideas can come from those adventures, of course. But I also deliberately travel to the places that I want to write about.

Q: Did you find yourself painting while writing Broken Colors? Did you try to paint from Sophie’s perspective as a part of realizing the character?

A: No, I did not paint or draw while writing the book. I used my imagination to develop Sophie’s style.

Q: What are you reading currently?

A: I’m reading three books. Last Train from Berlin by Howard K. Smith, Berlin Diary by William Shirer, and Roughing It by Mark Twain.