I try to create new characters in each book I write. That's what makes writing fun and interesting for me.

Like my mother said, you can't go back to holding hands

Do not tell me what to do and do not tell me what I can't do.

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

I was shy, but I stood up in front of the class and I gave my report.I was reporting on books that I didn't want to read. I was inventing books that I didn't want to read.

When you ask, did writing change my life? It totally changed my life. It gave me my life.

I don't really know exactly how it happened but I don't like the idea that I would ever have said I'm going to write about racism or puberty or bullying.