Leigh Anne Jasheway-bryant is a humor writer, comedy instructor, stand-up comic, former radio host, and the author of fourteen books, including Bedtime Stories for Dogs and Bedtime Stories for Cats. She lives in Eugene, Oregon.

THE AUTHOR SCOOP

If you had a superpower, what would it be?
I do have a superpower ? I can make people laugh when they'd rather cry. We all have this superpower, but I have the outfit that goes with it.

When did you know you were a writer?
When I found myself scribbling on the walls at home with a purple crayon and demanding my mother not to wipe it off because I might be famous some day and she'd be sorry.

Are you ?six degrees? of separation away from anyone famous?
I'm two degrees away from Kevin Bacon! I was on The Leeza Gibbons show with Mo Gaffney who used to play the therapist on Mad About You and was on an episode in which Kevin Bacon appeared as well.

How do you cheer up when you're feeling down?
I take my three wiener dogs and the two loaner wiener dogs from down the street for a walk. If walking five wiener dogs doesn't put a smile on your face, you might need medication.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
Secretary of the Interior. Then I found out it didn't involve throw pillows and wallpaper.