Librarians save lives: by handing the right book, at the right time, to a kid in need

I stop and think before I start a new book and ask myself do I really want to spend the next year or two or three with these characters because if I don't, then I shouldn't be writing about them.

The creative process; I enjoy thinking up the stories and situations for my books.

All of our royalties from the sale of the book go to NCAC. Every dollar helps them fight censorship and helps the teachers and students and librarians who are under fire.

All of our royalties from the sale of the book go to NCAC, ... Every dollar helps them fight censorship and helps the teachers and students and librarians who are under fire.

I was sick all the time, one exotic illness after another, which lasted throughout my twenties. My worst decade. But from the day the first book was accepted, I never got sick again. Writing changed my life.

I fell in love with books at the Elizabeth Public Library when I was four...

Books opened up a whole new world to me. Through them I discovered new ideas, traveled to new places, and met new people. Books helped me learn to understand other people and they taught me a lot about myself. ... Some books you never forget. Some characters become your friends for life.