Normally, I spend a week on the outline and take two weeks to write the book.

People say, 'What advice do you have for people who want to be writers?' I say, they don't really need advice, they know they want to be writers, and they're gonna do it. Those people who know that they really want to do this and are cut out for it, they know it.

I always just wanted to be funny. I never really planned to be scary.

When I was a kid my family was really poor and I remember one Halloween I wanted to dress up really scary and my parents came home with a duck costume. I wore that costume for years! I hated it.

Many adults feel that every children's book has to teach them something.... My theory is a children's book... can be just for fun.

I guess I'm way too kind and generous, and a saint - if you can believe that!

I've never turned into a bee - I've never been chased by a mummy or met a ghost. But many of the ideas in my books are suggested by real life.