I have no special talent, you know. I never took a writing course before I began to write.

Anyone who has problems, or worries, anyone who laughs and cries, anyone who feels can write. It's only talking on paper... talking about the things that matter to us.

What inspired me to become an author? I think it was the snow in New York. I looked out the window and I said, 'Well, I have to get dressed every morning to go to teach, but if I write a book, I can stay home in my bathrobe, eat candy corn.'

I have no special talent, you know. I never took a writing course before I began to write.

Many times in my life I've been upset about something and said to myself, "Will this matter in two years?" Not even in two months.

Revision is the heart of writing. Every page I do is done over seven or eight times.

The reasons kids get into trouble in one way or another is because - Who ever told them they were special?