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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.