[first lines] Journalist #1: Do you consider the book to be autobiographical? Jesse: Uh, well, I mean... isn't everything autobiographical?
As far as 'Birdsong' is concerned, I think the television program made a very honorable attempt at it, but the truth of the matter is that adaptations of long, ambitious books very seldom transfer well to the screen, and why would they?
I mean to say, this is the book and I really loathe it and I can't imagine what a nice Jewish boy like me ever, how I ever got into this dreadful trade.
When I turned fifteen, I remember my father gave me a credit card which I was allowed to use for two things: emergencies and books.
As adults, we've seen so much before that we often turn the pages of a picture book without really looking. Young children tend to look more carefully.
When I came back to Washington to be The Times' chief congressional correspondent in 1991, I was looking for a book subject, and Ted Kennedy stood out for two reasons.
There's nothing on Earth like really nailing the last line of a big book. You have 200 pages to tickle their fancy, and seven words to break their heart.
There often is a dark secret in books... There is often a gathering sense of dread; there's a gap sometimes in the text from which all kinds of monsters can emerge.
I have a small room to write in. One wall is completely covered in books. And I face the window with the curtain closed to stop the light hitting the computer.
In one book, CACHALOT, just for my own amusement, every character is based directly on someone I have known.
As a children's author, reviewers are generally very nice to you. I only ever wrote one adult book and received such a kicking for it that I was in trauma for the next six months.
People come to me for the solution of their problem, if my knowledge and experience is not enough to solve the problem, I go to my library read the relevant book and provide the solution.
For my success I am immensely grateful to God, my parents, my family, my friends, my teachers and to the books I read.
What should a good children’s book be like? If you ask me, I can tell you after thinking long and hard: It must be good.
I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from The Savior of the world is communicated to us through this Book.
When I get back from this book tour, I'm planning to learn the internet. Maybe I can hook up in cyberspace.
My plan is to continue teaching many more years than the 32 years I've already enjoyed and continue writing, and promoting my books and websites if it's God will.
Sometimes I forget myself in a book. And when i have to stop reading it takes me a minute to remember where I am. Or who I am.
I don't write for an audience, I don't think whether my book will sell, I don't sell it before I finish writing it.
Books are the best companion of human beings. its like a travel guide which leads you towards the different historical points of the entire world.
I have known men to hazard their fortunes, go long journeys halfway about the world, forget friendships, even lie, cheat, and steal, all for the gain of a book.
