I believe I'm a better writer now than I was when I started. I'm grateful that I had good guidance because you don't make it in this business without good editors and a lot of support from your publishers. Sharon Draper businesseditorgood share on social
I worked at Sears as a salesperson when I was in college. Makes me nicer to folks to have to stand all day and be nice to picky people. Sharon Draper collegedayfolk Change image and share on social
I do research for every single book, regardless. For 'Double Dutch,' I learned to jump and learned the scoring system. For 'November Blues,' I interviewed pregnant teens. I like to get up close and personal with the kids involved in the situations I write about. Sharon Draper bluebookclose share on social
Perfect happiness is a beautiful sunset, the giggle of a grandchild, the first snowfall. It's the little things that make happy moments, not the grand events. Joy comes in sips, not gulps. Sharon Draper beautifuleventgiggle Change image and share on social
With the 'Hazelwood High' trilogy, I wasn't sure I was writing a trilogy. I would just write one book, then another, and then another, because the young adults who wrote me told me that they wanted to read more. Sharon Draper adultbookhazelwood share on social
When students ask me today, 'What do you think we should learn from this book?' I tell them, 'Whatever you got out of it.' Sharon Draper booklearnstudent Change image and share on social
I start with an idea or a problem or a conflict, or even a situation that might be pertinent to the lives of young people, then the characters grow from that point. I try to make strong characters that change and develop and learn from their mistakes. Sharon Draper changecharacterconflict share on social
Girls read a boy book, but boys don't necessarily want to read a girl book. Sharon Draper bookboygirl Change image and share on social
I try to give a voice to teens, who might be afraid to speak up about difficult issues, and a platform for parents and teachers to have frank, meaningful discussions with those young people. Sharon Draper afraiddifficultdiscussion Change image and share on social
A good book ought to bring out lots of different responses from those that read it - none of them pre-planned, and all of them very personal. Whatever they take away from the reading of the book is valuable. Sharon Draper bookbringgood share on social
