I believe that kids as well as adults are entitled to books of no socially redeeming value.

You have no control [over natural disaster]. That's what's scary about it. You're helpless. That feeling of helplessness is really scary.

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

I'm obsessed with radio. It's a good start to Sunday morning.

It's my job, too, to keep up with pop culture and what the kids are into 'cause you don't want to sound like an old man trying to write for kids. I spend a lot of my time spying on them.

When I write, I try to think back to what I was afraid of or what was scary to me, and try to put those feelings into books.

I've lived in New York for 40 years. I came right after college.