I Read My Books Out Loud To

When It Is My Editor Telling Me How To Rewrite A Story, I Listen And Do What She Asks Because I Have Learned That I Get A Better Book In The End. I Can't Say I'm Happy When I Read That Editorial Letter. It Is Always A Little Painful And Scary. But I Have Learned That - Bit By Bit - I Can Make The Changes And Do The Work.

I Never Want To Be A Role Model.

But Still, Here Are The Words Despereaux Tilling Spoke To His Father. He Said, "i Forgive You, Pa!" And He Said Those Words Because He Sensed That It Was The Only Way To Save His Heart, To Stop It From Breaking In Two. Despereaux, Reader, Spoke Those Words To Save Himself.

I'm Predisposed To Think That As A People, We're Hardwired To Understand Things Through The Telling Of Stories. I Think That As Human Beings It's Part Of Who We Are.

Anybody Who Puts A Book Into Someone Else's Hands Inspires Me - Teachers, Librarians, Booksellers, Parents.