One of the reasons I began to write was because I wanted stories for my children where the characters spoke as they did and had similar life experiences.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I started writing, or rather, thinking, stories as a child, and at that time the reason was very clear.
I write for kids because I think the most interesting (and most humorous) stories come from people's childhoods. When I was writing 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid,' I had a blast talking on the phone to my younger brother, Patrick, remembering all of the things that happened to our family when we were growing up.
As a child, I loved story books and wanted to be in them so desperately and live the stories.
I wanted to write stories I wanted to read, that I and my friends related to.
I love stories. I just enjoy telling stories and watching what these characters do - although writing continues to be just as hard as it always was.
I came from a family of incredible storytellers, but I didn't start writing children's books until I was 41 years old.
I loved writing for kids, I loved talking to children about what I'd written, I don't want to leave that behind.
I was the typical little sister who wanted to be just like her older brother. When I was growing up, my brother wrote phenomenal stories, so I wanted to write them, too.
All I wanted to do was read, to be told stories. Stories were full of excitement and emotions and characters that entertained and often inspired.
I never thought about what I would write. I just come from such a big family of storytellers.