I want young readers to know that to tell their own story is the most important thing they'll ever do.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I've always been interested in setting my stories against a big event, the importance of which my younger readers are slowly becoming aware of as they move into their teens.
I love telling stories from a kid's point of view because they don't really see all the obstacles in front of them. They're resilient, and sometimes adults can steal that from them.
I want to tell a story that makes the reader always want to see what will happen next.
I believe that everyone has a story, and it is important that we encourage all students to tell theirs.
I am as interested in seeing what happens to my characters as any reader; that is why I tell kids that writers write for the same reason readers read - to find out the end of the story.
As a child who loved to read, I had trouble finding honest stories. I felt that adults were always keeping secrets from me, even in the books I was reading.
Every kid has a story to tell!
I just want to be part of great stories that are told and for them to be relevant.
You can't mess around with young readers - you have to cut straight to the heart of the story. The character can be complex, the plot can have some surprises, but the emotions have to be clear.
Young readers have to be entertained. No child reads fiction because they think it's going to make them a better person.