I became an author because I love words. I enjoyed playing with them when I was a kid, writing stories and plays, and doing whatever I could think to do with words. I kept my love of them growing up and still love to see what they can do.

Words played an important part in my growing up. Not only the written word... but words that flew through the air: jokes, riddles, puns.

I was lucky in getting my first book published; my first book was 'Bunnicula,' which I wrote with my late wife Debbie, for the fun of it.

When I'm with other people who inspire my silliness or sense of humor, I'm funny. When I sit down to write, it's hard not to be funny.

I want to be inspiring to myself, to my kids, my family, and my friends.

By virtue of my traditions, and my community, I worked hard to ensure that I was accepted as part of the traditional family of America.

I always take a cashmere blanket, and I have pictures of my family in my passport holder.

It was always about being first, about winning. There were no prizes for second place. My mother and father said, 'Do whatever you want, as long as you're the best at it.'