I was Little Miss Perfect. That's where all the secrets come in, because you know damn well you are not perfect, but you think your parents want you to be. And so you pretend.

Suppose there aren't any more A + days once you get to be twelve? Wouldn't that be something! To spend the rest of your life looking for an A + day and not finding it.

I'm a people person. I never get tired of watching people, especially young people.

I use a computer, but before I begin each new book I keep a notebook. I write down everything that comes to mind during that period before I actually begin. It might take months or weeks. That notebook is my security blanket so that I never have to face a blank screen (or blank page). But I print out often and my best ideas usually come with a pencil in my hand.

The best books come from someplace deep inside.... Become emotionally involved. If you don't care about your characters, your readers won't either.

"Margaret" was just my truth. It was what I knew to be true about sixth grade.

some changes happen deep down inside of you. And the truth is, only you know about them. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be.