One famous author

The famous author, who has stopped in for a miniview today, is none other than the hilarious Jeff Kinney!

Congratulations to The Reading Zone who guessed the correct answer yesterday. They will receive a signed galley of Jeff's Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book /Amulet Books, October 2008. Reading Zone: Send your mailing address to theclassof2k8 (at) gmail (dot) com to claim your book!

Jeff's been busy the last year or so with his mega-successful books: Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Rodrick Rules, but he was nice enough to take some time to answer a few questions.

Jeff, how did the idea for Diary of a Wimpy Kid first come about?

My dream was to become a newspaper cartoonist, but it never panned out. I spent a few years developing strips, but only met rejections from the syndicates. I really wanted people to see my cartoons, so I decided that if people were going to see my work, it was going to have to take another form.

What character do you relate to best and why?

I think I relate best to Greg, and that’s not a good thing. Greg can be petty and cruel, and I think that’s how I was, at times, as a kid.

So, Jeff, how about spilling some top-secret info? Can you give us some idea of what may be in store for Greg, Rodrick, Rowley, or one of the other characters?

In future books, the Heffley family will go on a vacation together … I think there are a lot of comedic possibilities there. Greg will find love and heartbreak. I think that when Rowley grows up, he’ll be a healthy, happy adult, but Greg will be the victim of his own shortcomings.

In one sentence, tell us the best part about being on the New York Times Best-Seller List?

The best thing about being on the New York Times Best-Seller list is sharing space with all of those great authors (real authors) like Stephenie Meyer, J.K. Rowling, and Brian Selznick!

We've got news for you, Jeff. You ARE a real author! Thanks for stopping by!

Our week of miniviews has come to an end. Check back tomorrow (Shameless Self Promotion Saturday) to see what great things have been happening to 2k8 Class members.