I remember wanting to write a book with someone, the someone being Kate [DiCamillo], and we decided to write about two friends. We had no idea how to begin this project - neither of us had ever collaborated with another writer - and I'm pretty sure that we began by giving our two friends a sock, just to see what they'd do with it. And it went from there.

As Elmore Leonard says, I write to find out what happens.

Understand, I had absolutely no interest in writing; I wanted to be a Writer.

Things are not at all what they seem to be: oh no, not at all.

Writing is seeing. It is paying attention.

He was weeping. Although 'weeping' really is to small a word for the activity the kind had undertaken. Tears were cascading from his eyes. A small puddle had formed at his feet. I am not exaggerating. The king, it seemed, was intent on crying himself a river.

Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark. Begin at the beginning. Tell Gregory a story. Make some light.