I think people who write for kids, we have that ability to go back into our own lives.

Nothing teaches you as much about writing dialogue as listening to it.

My characters live inside my head for a long time before I actually start a book. They become so real to me, I talk about them at the dinner table as if they are real. Some people consider this weird. But my family understands.

I love to watch movies.

When I'm writing a book, you can't think about your audience. You're going to be in big trouble if you think about it. You're got to write from deep inside.

It's strange, but when it comes right down to it I never do fall apart--even when I'm sure I will.

When I was twelve. And I was going through my parents' bookshelves, I found the most wonderful books and plenty of. Within those wonderful books that were real turn-on's. At 12 or 13, books were such turn-ons.