I thought nobody in his right mind was going to publish a book for kids by me -- not if they've read my adult fiction,

I wait for the headlines to inspire me.

I always try to burden even the villains with some weird predilection they have to cope with. It helps make them memorable, and gives them a human side.

They have a crystalline sense of right and wrong, ... it disappears when they walk out the door with their M.B.A.

I think once they get into it and read it, they'll plug right in to it, ... It's not fiction. It's the real thing. The message and underlying theme are serious. There are parts of this book that are downright disturbing.

Fallen-tree video is absolutely essential to hurricane broadcasts. The most sought-after footage is, in order of ratings: 1. Big tree on strip mall. 2. Big tree on house. 3. Big tree on car. 4. Small tree on car. 5. Assorted shrubbery on car.