From age nine, my friends and I were on the streets, walking home, going to each other's houses, going to the store. I really wanted to write about that: the independence that's a little bit scary but also a really positive thing in a lot of ways. Rebecca Stead agebitefriend share on social
Probably because I really love this bookmaking and storytelling world, I'd been thinking for years about the possibility of becoming a literary agent. Rebecca Stead agentbookmakeliterary Change image and share on social
I am basically in awe of every family's ability to make decisions for their kids. Rebecca Stead abilityawebasically Change image and share on social
Try really, really hard not to judge your own work too harshly. Rebecca Stead hardharshlyjudge Change image and share on social
As a reader, I much prefer to read a book where people embody all kinds of ideas and everybody is making mistakes. Rebecca Stead bookembodyidea Change image and share on social
I try to write about internal experience versus the external self. I like to present ideas, but not package them neatly. Rebecca Stead experienceexternalidea Change image and share on social
I try to remember what it was like to be a kid in New York. I lived in different parts of my childhood in Manhattan on the Upper West Side, where 'When You Reach Me' is set, and also in the Midwood section of Brooklyn. Rebecca Stead brooklynchildhoodkid share on social
I think that my first book - I was trying to write the kind of book I would have loved as a kid. So it's sort of, like, a book inspired by my childhood reading and the passion that I felt about reading when I was a kid. Rebecca Stead bookchildhoodfelt share on social
On Sunday, I think the most important thing for me is to just turn my brain off. The idea of not trying is the key, because that's where you're relaxed enough to let your brain make new connections. Rebecca Stead brainconnectionidea Change image and share on social
I loved reading all kinds of books, but I particularly loved books like 'Red Planet' by Robert Heinlein, which very few people read anymore but is a wonderful science fiction story. Rebecca Stead anymorebookfiction Change image and share on social
