There ain't no point in making soup unless others eat it. Soup needs another mouth to taste it, another heart to be warmed by it.

I always go to the Agriculture Building, where they make apple cider popsicles for a dollar.

I think we sent Tony Fucile pictures of ourselves, photos from like when we were seven years old. That's what he worked from. He captured exactly what we looked like. I'd love to do another one with Alison, not just for the joy of writing, but also for the joy of watching Tony bring it to life with his illustrations. I'm hoping at BEA, or ALA, I'll get to meet Tony and shake his hand and thank him.

I show up and try, but I may have to ask myself if I need to wait and let myself regenerate and take a break. I know that this thing that makes the stories has to be treated gently. So sometimes I'll just stop and let the well fill up. With my work, sometimes I hate doing it, but I love having done it. The key is to keep doing it.

The origin of each story is unique.

What was it like...to have someone who knew you would always return and who welcomed you with open arms?

As far as books getting turned into movies, I fared very, very well.