How many hours do you devote to writing and how long does it take you to write a book?

When I’m writing, I try to put in a few hours a day. Of course, I’m actually working more than that. When I’m driving my car or out walking around, I’m often daydreaming and coming up with ideas I’ll use the next day. When things are going well and I’m getting ideas, I can finish a draft of a book in a few months. When I’m not, it can take years.

What kind of obstacles or challenges have you experienced as a children's writer?

Getting published was the biggest challenge. Once published, I discovered just how many books were out there and competition to get into bookstores was intense as well. Finally, keeping books in print can be tricky. My first book, The Trouble with Lemons is going the strongest. It’s in its 20th domestic printing and has been translated into seven or eight languages. The rest of my books, although I think they are better written, have had to struggle a little harder to survive. Go figure.

Who are some writers that you admire?

Mark Twain, of course, was certainly an early influence. Huckleberry Finn really blew me away. I also grew to love Dickens and then many others. Right now, I admire Richard Russo. Even great writers often have trouble writing really sharp, crisp dialogue, and he’s the best at that. When his characters speak, they jump right off the page. Not only can you hear them and see them, but you also feel as if you know them.

Describe a typical work day.

I’m a meditator (I’ve been doing TM for over 28 years), so I start every day with a morning meditation. Then every other day I go out and jog — nothing fast or competitive — I just plod along and it clears my head and gets me ready to write. I’ll generally work for an hour or two on writing, sometimes longer if I’m really on a roll.

What motivates you?

Seeing other people’s great work really gets me going. When I see a great film or a great piece of writing, I want to do the same thing – not the same work, of course, but something that’s as inspiring. I have that Renaissance notion that art should inspire and uplift; it shouldn’t avoid the serious problems we all face, but it shouldn’t wallow in them either.

I suppose, too, I’m motivated by money and a desire for a certain amount of fame. Writer fame is good; people can admire your work and not even know when they’re standing next to you at the supermarket.

What advice can you offer the 'newbie' children's writer?

Read. I’m convinced that I learned to write by reading. When I was starting in as a writer, I was imitating those writers I admired. After a while, though, and after studying a lot of different authors, my own voice started to develop.