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.

I want to see children curled up with books, finding an awareness of themselves as they discover other people's thoughts. I want them to make the connection that books are people's stories, that writing is talking on paper, and I want them to write their own stories. I'd like my books to provide that connection for them.

I'm still writing in my old age. And still loving it. It fills my days. Writing is my salvation. I just get up in the morning, and I'm in this world that I scratch out and begin again and write over - and then suddenly it's lunchtime, and I'm back.

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

Everything in my life affects my writing. There are no separate parts of my life.

Outside of family, writing is essential. To me, it's like breathing.

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