Sometimes I'm asked if I do research for my stories. The answer is yes and no. No, in the sense that I seldom plow through books at the library to gather material. Yes, in the sense that the first fifteen years of my life turned out to be one big research project. Jerry Spinelli answeraskbig share on social
When people hear I have six kids and 16 grandkids, they think, 'Oh, boy, you must get a lot of stories from them.' I don't. It's not like I'm behind the sofa in the living room taking notes while the grandkids carry on. Jerry Spinelli boycarrygrandkid share on social
There are bits and pieces of me probably in every one of my 35 or so books. Jerry Spinelli bitbookpiece Change image and share on social
I became a children's author by accident. As far as I'm concerned, I write for everybody. Jerry Spinelli accidentauthorchild Change image and share on social
My first four books were not published because nobody wanted them. They were adult books, not kids' books. Jerry Spinelli adultbookkid Change image and share on social
I would say if you want to write, write what you care about. I think that's the most important thing. I think if you write what you care about, you stand a better chance of having the reader care about your story. Jerry Spinelli carechanceimportant share on social
Kids still can be said to live in their own little world. Even if their parents are helicoptering around them, assigning play dates and so forth, I think they're still living in some sense of their own little perceptual worlds. Jerry Spinelli assigndatehelicopter share on social
Even including myself, my favorite author is Eileen Spinelli, who I happen to live with. She's a terrific writer and has written several of my all-time favorites. Jerry Spinelli authoreileenfavorite Change image and share on social
