The Tale Of Despereaux Is The Story

On The Return Flight From My Mother In Florida , I Sat Next To A Businessman Who Asked Me What I Did For A Living. I Said, "i Write," And It Seemed Totally Ridiculous In The Face Of What Had Just Happened. I Mean, I Couldn't Think Of Anything More Pointless Than Telling Stories. He Asked, "what Do You Write?" I Said, "i Write Children Books."

[a Businessmen In Plane After 911] Asked Me, "what Are You Working On Now?" And I Said I Was Writing A Story About A Mouse Who Tries To Save A Princess. I Was Mortified. Here The World Is Falling Down Around Us, And I'm Trying To Tell The Story About A Mouse Who Saves A Princess. I Said "it Doesn't Matter At All Now."

It Is Truly Excellent To Have Someone Believe In You And Your Ability To Write. But I Think It Is Just As Helpful To Have People Who Don't Believe In You, People Who Mock You, People Who Doubt You, People Who Enrage You. Fortunately, There Is Never A Shortage Of This Type Of Person In The World ... Write For Yourself. Write For The Story. And Write, Also, For All Of The People Who Doubt You. Write For All Those People Who Are Not Brave Enough To Do This Grand And Wondrous Thing Themselves. Let Them Motivate You.

Rob Horton, The Main Character Of The Tiger Rising, Was A Secondary Character In An Adult Short Story I Wrote, And He Wouldn't Go Away After I'd Finished The Short Story. I Couldn't Figure Out What He Wanted, So I Wrote To Find Out.

You Must Be Filled With Expectancy. You Must Be Awash In Hope. You Must Wonder Who Will Love You, Whom You Will Love Next.