The universe throws us some obvious little pitches sometimes, and we need to be awake enough not to let them slip by.

Keep in mind that in 1985, I had a potential readership of over 50 million Americans. At that time, a good portion of those were under 30.

My post-child period resulted in one instant change: I write shorter books for kids.

I don't get fan mail. It disappeared with the digital revolution.

I'd be a Libertarian, if they weren't all a bunch of tax-dodging professional whiners.

The digital world has allowed me a connection with my reader that I'd never had before. I didn't meet the people who read my material. The fan letters were mostly answered by professional people that'd done them for a living. And I didn't have any daily connection with their response to my work. I didn't have a relationship with my audience. And every artist should have it.

Dear Lord, I've been asked, nay commanded, to thank Thee for the Christmas turkey before us... a turkey which was no doubt a lively, intelligent bird... a social being... capable of actual affection... nuzzling its young with almost human- like compassion. Anyway, it's dead and we're gonna eat it. Please give our respects to its family.