An image often propels the novel, gets it started. For me, it's an image that has a lot of emotion connected to it.

Old Japanese saying, live scorpion in pants makes life interesting.

Once you're imagining being the main character, and you're having the conversations and actually being there, the magic in fiction writing takes over.

I often read nonfiction, and some of my ideas begin there.

Some of the best things that have happened in my stories have happened seemingly of their own accord. The writer becomes a listener, just writing things down as they come.

An image often propels the novel, gets it started. For me, it's an image that has a lot of emotion connected to it.

I stay in contact with kids, and that is a lot of fun for me, not only to get their letters but to meet them in schools and see that the books really have engaged their hearts and imaginations. That's what makes it so worthwhile.