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

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

If you have a friend, things are better than if you didn't have a friend.

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.'

All of my books are based in some way on my personal experiences, or the experiences of members of my family, or the stories kids would tell me in school.

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.

Do you all have a living room floor or a bedroom floor? Then you can write a book.