Guys with nice person names try to be sympathetic.

I love writing and do not know why it is considered such a difficult, agonizing profession. I love all of it, thinking up the plots, getting to know the kids in the story, their parents, backyards, pizza toppings.

Stephen had just come from a class discussion in which several students believed that the right cup of herbal tea would save them from pain and sorrow. Well acquainted with pain and sorrow, Stephen did not contribute to the discussion. He merely crossed these idiots off his list of possible friends.

I believe my readers are crazy about their parents and want to be just like them when they grow up

I get letters from readers who say that they have always hated reading, but somebody suggested one of my books, they actually finished the book and enjoyed it, and they're going on to read another book. I'm thrilled that they have figured out that reading is fun

I believe my voice is pretty much the same. I've written 75 books, so I'm better at it now than I was earlier in my career

I approach serious subjects, and I like to have the good guys win and have the parents among the good guys