Everything I write comes from my childhood in one way or another. I am forever drawing on the sense of mystery and wonder and possibility that pervaded that time of my life.

I was born in Philadelphia and currently live in Minneapolis. I write for both children and adults.

There ain't no way you can hold onto something that wants to go, you understand? You can only love what you got while you got it.

Once upon a time," he said out loud to the darkness. He said these words because they were the best, the most powerful words that he knew and just the saying of them comforted him.

There is nothing sweeter in this sad world than the sound of someone you love calling your name.

When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another.

Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or duty. It should be offered to them as a precious gift.

The undoing is almost always more difficult than the doing.

You must be filled with expectancy. You must be awash in hope. You must wonder who will love you, whom you will love next.

It is important that you say what you mean to say. Time is too short. You must speak the words that matter.

The world is dark, and light is precious. Come closer, dear reader. You must trust me. I am telling you a story.

Be the start of something that is good, revolutionary and powerful. Everything after that is a bonus!

The way is not clear, and it is when you do not have clarity, when this is allowed, that you will finally have clarity.

I think vampires are a timeless powerful archetype that can tap into people's psyches.

When you begin to create the life of your dreams - or maybe better stated, when you begin to live the life that God dreams for you - you take responsibility to prepare for the future.

A man may acquire a taste for wine or brandy, and so lose his love for water, but should we not pity him.

One may receive the information but miss the teaching.

The only way we will ever reduce the debt and balance the budget is if America beats Washington and tea party activists take over this process.

Leaders who keep promises and followers who respond in kind create an opportunity generate enormous energy around their commitment to serve others.

My playing started to develop through the Miles Davis stuff I was listening to.

One of the worst things you can do is have a limited budget and try to do some big looking film. That's when you end up with very bad work.