“Children and teens take in stories to the deepest imaginable level. Wh...” — Cynthia Leitich Smith Quote

Children and teens take in stories to the deepest imaginable level. What we put on the page can change the people they'll become and the course of their lives.

I find getting the first draft down to be the biggest challenge. Every word, every punctuation mark, every plot point is a decision. It's much more fun to play with something that already exists.

I may be heaven-sent, but I'm not perfect.

In terms of graphic versus prose, I could probably do a lecture on that topic. But what stood out most was the difference in pacing the language and resulting scenes. One illustration can do so much for the reader.

One song I do is 'The First Cut is the Deepest.' I try to remind people I wrote that song, not Rod Stewart.

What is the deepest passion for me and for us is the historic investment in the middle class and in - as I say often because I was that guy growing up - the dreams of those who look up who want to get into the middle class. That I feel the strongest about.

We realised that art, theatre, and music in Sarajevo were resistance at the deepest level.

All that writers can do is keep trying to say what is deepest in their hearts.

Joy is not the result of getting what you want; it is the way to get what you want. In the deepest sense, joy is what you want.